Meet the Speakers

Ashlee Catizon is a youth leader for The Crossings Church St. Charles County. She came on the church plant with her husband, RJ, and 30 others from Illinois in 2004. She has been serving as the female teen ministry leader alongside RJ and in the worship ministry for almost 20 years. Married since December 2003, RJ and Ashlee have four kids: Shaneece (small group leader in the campus ministry), Malachi (11th grade), Hadessah (10th), and Gabrien (9th).

She has a passion for helping the younger generation know that their life is valuable, that they can get through the hard years of high school, live for a greater purpose and thrive. Ashlee is also excited about worshiping God through music. 

She loves Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Avatar the Last Airbender (inner nerd). She also love all things sports- watching, cheering, planning, and participating- which is why she will likely be speaking in a sling or fresh out of it!

Giang Mullins is a pastor’s wife, and alongside her husband Ben, they lead The Crossings Church Innerbelt in St. Louis County. Giang is a mom of three to Mia (9), Emma (5), and Max (2).  She has committed her life to serving God’s Kingdom as a church planter, women’s ministry leader, and Manasseh teacher, where she shares her story of recovery from childhood sexual abuse and trauma. As a former atheist and first generation immigrant to the U.S. she is passionate about bringing the word of God to people from all backgrounds. Giang is excited about teaching those that don’t know Jesus, equipping them to make disciples as she believes everyone is called to preach the Gospel and teach others to follow Jesus.

Janice Wade has been a Christian for 34 years and came over with her husband, Tom, to St. Charles with the original plant team from Illinois.  They have been married for 29 years. She is a licensed marital and family therapist and the clinic director of Ellie Mental Health of St Peters. Also, Janice is the director of Manasseh Ministries and has led and trained others to lead for 28 years.  She has used her own heartbreak and trauma from childhood sexual abuse to help hundreds of others find healing and redemption from the love of Christ. Janice believes that God can and does use anyone who surrenders to Him. No skill or ability is needed, just a willing heart to say YES.

Hannah’s just an 80’s born Xennial and ex-athlete trying to figure out Campus Ministry at The Crossings Church St. Charles County in a digital world with an AOL chat background. God has turned this anxiety-ridden, perfectionist with too many flaws to count into a woman who loves Him wholeheartedly and would do anything for His kingdom and the campus ministry she’s led with her husband for the best part of 25 years. 

Married to Kerry for almost 25 years, momma to three pretty legit kids (Kennedy, Jackson, and Lincoln-not to be confused with the US Presidents) now almost all grown, and YaYa to two of the cutest grand baby girls who ever lived (Grace and Smokey the Blair!) She cleans houses and tears ligaments for a living. Redemption stories of God’s grace are her fav!

Rita Cox is a wife of 46 years to Robert, a mom of two (Kerry and Ashlee), plus two in-laws that she adores (Hannah and RJ), a Grammy of nine (Shaneece, Kennedy + Aaron, Jackson, Malachi, Haddie, Gabe and Lincoln) and now a Great-Grammy of two beautiful little girls (Grace and Blair). She loves nature- seeing God’s handiworks on display in the form of an ocean scape, mountain range, sunset, hummingbird fluttering about and so much more. But she loves His handiwork most when it is displayed in peoples’ lives…

Rita and her husband set out many years ago to begin a church that would reach everyone- a place where people could be authentic, discover purpose, healing, love and changed lives. Since that time, they have been a part of four church plants in the Saint Louis metropolitan area. God has been good to them, in the greatest of times and in the most difficult. 

Rita says that if you would have told her years ago that God would ask her to speak to a crowded room full of women, she would have likely panicked and/or cried. Would God use a shy girl, from a small town, with little money or status to be used in such a way? YES. God can do anything with a willing heart, and she sees herself as living proof of His goodness and desire. Her prayer for this weekend is that He uses her and each of you for His glory (and to have good ole time while doing so)!

Leah is a member of The Crossings Church St. Charles County. Leah surrendered her life to Christ 16 years ago through our campus ministry at Lindenwood University and has been incredibly blessed ever since. God has given her an amazing husband, Brian, who brings balance and security to her life, friendships that are more like family and who have healed her heart in more ways than she can count, and a church body that has not only invested in her marriage, but also in their children. Leah met her husband of 13 years in the campus ministry. They have two children- son, Oliver (9) and daughter, Logan (6). She is a fourth grade teacher in the Wentzville School District and has been teaching for 10 years. Her passion for impacting young lives drew her to serve in the children’s ministry from the beginning where she has taught and now helps co-lead the ministry with the lovely Hannah Cox. She truly believes that one of the greatest responsibilities we have is to raise up the next generation of disciples, and it has been a source of joy in her walk with God. Leah and her husband have been leading small groups in the adult ministry for the last 10 years. They have a passion for working with young families and having the opportunity to not just impact the family as a whole.

Eliza Sidartawan has been a leader in The Crossings Innerbelt in St. Louis County since it started in 2014. Before going on this church plant, she was a member at The Crossings Church St Charles County since 2004. She has been married to her hubby Aldo for 10 years and has two boys - Levi (8) and Miles (5). For the majority of the time serving at The Crossings Innerbelt, Aldo and Eliza served as leaders in the adult ministry and New Heights program. This past year, they transitioned to serving in the Jr. High ministry, which is a big passion and full circle moment for as she benefited greatly from the Crossroads Youth Ministry when she was a teen. She is so excited for this year's Ladies Retreat and can’t wait to see all that God is going to do!

Jennah Wise likes to party. Although how she parties has changed through the years. She has been sober since 2009, surrendering her life to Christ after battling with substance and alcohol addiction. Jennah grew up in Springfield, IL and moved to Missouri in 2009 to get the support she needed to help stay sober. Along with her husband, Evan, they have volunteered in teen ministry since 2010 at The Crossings Church St. Charles County and will continue leading to the teens until probably their last breath).  She has an amazing son Ezra who is now 8 years old and is her biggest hype man. Doing youth ministry with her family is the best part of life and using her past mistakes and struggles to help relate to the teens and show them that the best and only way to live is with God at the center. She loves to laugh at her own jokes, overuse emojis, cook for people, pet dogs and spend time with her family and friends. She plans on winning the lottery to support church plants and helping foster kids and dogs.

Colleen Roettgers has been a devoted disciple for 35 years now. She enjoys coffee with friends, unexpected road trips, and vacationing with her family. Since 1995 when she first became a Mom, she realized Motherhood is not for the faint-of-heart. She has made it a point to be present in her kids' lives no matter the age, and even in their friends' lives, whether it’s ministry, sleepovers, games, parties, or chillin’ in the kitchen (because we all know that kids love to eat!) Since birth, she has been passionate about leading her family spiritually. Through the years she has worked hard to balance life’s priorities, while raising 2 active boys (Ryan and Nick). Colleen and her husband, Gene, adore their growing family, which now includes a wonderful bonus son (James), 3 gorgeous daughter in laws (Natalia, Aliyah, and Sierra) and 2 beautiful granddaughters (Rue and Shiloh). No family is without its share of bumps along the way. She gives all Glory to God for restoring the brokenness of relationships within her family and continued grace as they daily walk with Him.

“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” – Winnie the Pooh 

Hadessah and Chloe have been on an adventure of friendship together since they were born, and they thank God for it. Some of their best times have been spent laughing together and some of their hardest times have been spent hugging and praying. They are sixteen-years old and attend FZN High. When they walk the halls at school, they really try to be good representatives of Christ. While they aren’t perfect, they strive to be authentic. Helping others who are hurting, longing, or in need of good friendship is a passion of theirs and the youth ministry they are a part of. They want everyone to know that they can find all of the above through a relationship with God, others and them! Like most young ladies, they laugh, play, fight, make up, sing with the windows down, ‘borrow’ each other's clothes and all that good stuff… 

It is exciting for them to get to speak to the younger girls at this Ladies Retreat. The kids are sitting where they sat not too long ago. They know how it feels to live in the culture they do, and they know how much it helped them to have teen peers to look to as examples of how to make it. Hadessah and Chloe look forward to helping other girls see their significance here and now, but also dream of all they can become in the future.

Jessica Hines is a member of The Crossings Church St. Charles County. She is the devoted wife of Nathan and adoring mom of Walter (2). Jess became a Christian in July 2005 as a young lass.  

She has served in many ministries over the years: RCM, HIAC, Wounded Heart, Kids Class Registration and Entertaining Angels. God has changed Jessica from a lonely, inherently damaged girl who was always seeking validation and security from outside places to a woman who knows where to go when things get hard. She has faith that God is working for her good as He has healed her by His grace and using His people to help change her life. Jessica has passions for most sports or any competition, Homegoods, her son Walter and using her story of childhood sexual abuse, losses and hurts to help bring healing and peace to others.  

Lauren Cauley is a member of The Crossings Church St. Charles County and was baptized in April 2008. She has been married to Matt Cauley for 13 years, and has three kids-Charlee (10), Piper (8), and Archer (4). Lauren and her husband, Matt, have served in the campus ministry, the teen ministry, and are now a part of the adult ministry. They also teach Grief Share together. She sees the life God has given her as full of daily miracles. She has a successful marriage, is a mom, is sober, can pass a background check and be a volunteer at her kids' school events.

She has a great job, life-long friendships, and great relationships within her family. None of these accomplishments would be possible without God's grace and mercy in her life and without Lauren choosing to love and trust Him! She is so grateful for God's people choosing to love her at her worst and standing by her when she forgets who God is. God did not remove all obstacles in her life, nor has He allowed every day to be easy. Lauren has had type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease for 30 years, as well as celiac disease for almost 20 years. She also has a history of sexual abuse and drug abuse. While she would not wish these things on anyone, they have taught her eternal lessons of hope and trust in God. Lauren is passionate about showing others God's unconditional love, especially to those that have questioned or felt betrayed by God. She loves that God can handle our doubts and fears and truly believes that through her weakness, He is strong. She loves to read, be outside, visit national parks, learn everything about the most obscure topics, and watch movies with friends and family!

Lori Bode is from St Louis and has lived here her entire life. She recently retired and moved to Wentzville to be closer to her family. She has 2 daughters (Amanda and Leah) and 3 precious grandchildren (Oliver, Logan and Arc) who call her Gigi. 

She has been a part of The Crossings Church for about 15 years, which is when she renewed her relationship with Christ. My primary ministry is the Words to Live By Bookstore and I currently serve as a small group leader. During the past 15 years God has blessed me with a renewed purpose, a loving church family and a wonderful small group of ladies who challenge me to continue to grow in my relationship with Christ and to always rely on Him.

Airiel has been a part of the Crossings family since 2012. In 2017, Airiel and Wes moved to Collinsville, IL to help lead the church plant there. Along with the many hats of starting a church plant, she also currently serves as the Children’s Minister and small group leader. She has a passion for women and children. She loves helping ladies and kids grasp the love God has for them, the power He gives them to live out their purpose, and to point as many people as possible to Jesus. She has been married to Wes for 18 years and they have 4 beautiful kids (Naomi 16, Conrad 15, Eden 12 and Juliana 11). Airiel also enjoys teaching fitness classes on the side and bringing joy and love to those around her.

Melanie is a member of The Crossings St. Charles County. She’s been married to her handsome man in uniform, Richard, for almost 25 years. Not like a regular mom, but a cool mom to three- Ashlyn, Carter, and Braden. Bonus mom to Jennie. Mother-in-law to Edson. 

​

While baptized at age 16, it was at age 39 that she truly understood the love God has for her. God's redemption and grace has saved her marriage and healed so many pieces of a broken girl and her family. She currently serves as the Ministry Coordinator, teaches Grief Share, and is a small group leader. 

Melanie is honored to go by the names Mom, Mama Mel, Christmas Melanie, and the most precious blessings, Alexander and Elanora, call her Mimi. Jesus, people, Harry Potter, and feeding friends and family are her passions. The rumors of her brownies are true. And while she won’t share the recipe, she will always share a plate or two for anyone who asks.