Meet Our Team

Meet the Leaving a Legacy Blog contributors:

 

Jess Soete, Early Childhood Director

Jess recently joined the Crossing Kids team after serving in early childhood for several years.  She has her master’s in higher education administration from Mizzou, making God’s call to ministry with little ones somewhat ironic. Jess is originally from Lake of the Ozarks but growing up as a preacher’s kid, she’s lived in several Missouri small towns.  Jess loves all things Mizzou, the funny things preschoolers say, and her dashing husband, Eric, who serves in the walkers room. Jess and Eric have two dogs and are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia.

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Rachel Johnson, Contributor

Rachel served as the Crossing Kids Director from 2007-2009 and currently works part time as the Training and Curriculum Facilitator. After completing her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Stephens College in 2010, she taught at Stephens College Children’s School in the elementary program. Rachel and her husband, Scott, have one daughter, Eleanor, and are looking forward to welcoming their second child into the world this spring.

Rachel spends most of her time at home with Eleanor and together they enjoy taking walks on the Katy Trail, reading books, and learning about the world. Rachel also enjoys science fiction, Indian food, The Beatles, and a good cup of coffee.

 

Candace Stoll, Preschool Programming Director

Candace Lawhon moved to Columbia in 2003 to attend the University of Missouri where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Development.  Candace has been a part of Crossing Kids since 2005 and officially joined the staff team as the Preschool Programming Director in January 2011.  If Candace could have one super power, it would be to make everyone break out in song and dance whenever she wanted.  In her free time she loves to read, journal, run, watch movies, and be creative. Almost anything can make her laugh.

Christine Simon, Crossing Kids Director

Christine has worked at The Crossing since 2002 and currently serves as the Crossing Kids Director.  She has been married to Keith for 21 years and has four children (ages ranging from 9 to 16). In her personal time, she enjoys reading, walking with her husband and having lunch with friends.

 

 

Emily Pilkington, Elementary Director

Emily Powell started working at The Crossing as the Elementary Director in 2011.  Before joining the staff team, Emily taught first and fifth grade Paxton Keeley Elementary School.  Originally from Palmyra, MO, Emily graduated from Westminster College in Fulton before moving to Columbia to work on her Masters degree at MU in Curriculum and Instruction.  In her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, watching movies, working out, writing, and laughing with friends.

 

 

Rachel Tiemeyer, Family Events Coordinator

Rachel Tiemeyer began as the Children’s Ministry Director from 2000-2007 and currently works part-time as the Family Events Coordinator.  She is married to Nathan and has three children, Jack (6), Hannah (4), and Ben (2).  Most of her days are filled with changing diapers, cleaning up an unending trail of toys, training her kids, and asking God for help with those things.  She enjoys creating healthy recipes, blogging, walking outside, and a good cup of coffee with her husband or friends.