Biblical Leadership
The Bible only lists two titles of leadership in the local church: Elders and Deacons. The following is a brief description of each.
Elders
Elders (also known as shepherds, overseers, pastors), are men who are responsible for the overall pastoral leadership, governing, oversight and teaching of the congregation (Ephesians 4:11-13, I Timothy 3:1-7, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-4). An elder is called to care for Jesus’ church by teaching scripture, preaching the gospel, and leading the church.
For more information on our leadership structure, including the role of the congregation, accountability structures, and biblical teaching on our beliefs, please see the Sovereign Grace Book of Church Order.
Deacons
A pastor’s primary responsibility is the ministry of the word and prayer (Acts 6:4). And since there are many other tasks needed in the church beyond teaching and praying, the pastors need help from other godly servant leaders. That’s where the deacon comes in. The term “deacon” or diakonos, means one who serves and ministers to the needs of others. The central duty of a deacon is to help the pastors in any way necessary to ensure the physical and spiritual needs of the church are met, and serve in various leaders and functions, such as administrators of our benevolence fund or worship team leaders. Because of their role in helping the pastors care for the Body, deacons are an essential part of our church leadership.
Our Pastors
Nathan Treguboff, Lead Pastor
Nathan Treguboff serves as Lead Pastor at Cross of Grace in Chaska, MN. Nathan grew up an Air-force “brat”, born in Phoenix, AZ, but lived in CA, TX and spent 8 years in England where his father was stationed. On completion of high school he attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX and graduated with a Practical Theology Degree. Nathan was drawn to ministry, which led him to move to Minnesota in Jan 1999 for an internship. There he got connected with the makings of what is now Cross of Grace, where he met & married his wife, Hilary, in Nov 2001, and began to serve as an elder. After serving on staff for 8 years, Nathan attended and graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastor’s College in 2010. He is currently studying at Westminster Theological Seminary with an emphasis on biblical counseling.
Duties as an Elder
Preaching, teaching and counseling.
Family
He and his wife, Hilary, live in Chaska with their four children (1 daughter, 3 sons) & their very lively German Shorthaired Pointer, Hazel.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Minnesota’s North Shore, movies, golfing, the beach and SUN, traveling, being outside and making memories with my family, and always on the hunt for the best pizza.
Andrew Schmidt, Pastor
Andrew Schmidt serves as an Elder of Cross of Grace. He has a wonderful wife, Emily, and five sons. Andrew desires to help equip the saints for the work of ministry. His involvement in his family’s businesses gives him a unique perspective in how Christ can be glorified in the workplace as well. He has a desire to see people’s lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and a driving passion to see Christ glorified in people’s individual vocation and lives.
Duties as Elder
Church finances, developing leaders and personnel development, including gift identification/development and setting/driving vision.
Family
He has a wonderful wife, Emily, and five sons.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Getting away on vacations with my wife and boys, reading the Bible, praying for people, having deep one on one talks with my boys, being around other entrepreneurs, being used by God.
Josh Montague, Resident Missionary & Pastor/Elder Candidate
After pastoring for 15 years in Michigan and Wisconsin, Josh Montague joined Training Leaders International to serve the global church in training pastors in areas of the world without access to theological education. Cross of Grace partners with Josh to serve churches around the world. Josh has degrees from Michigan State University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary and is finishing his Doctorate in Intercultural Studies through Western Seminary.
Duties as Elder
When not overseas, Josh serves Cross of Grace in various preaching and teaching roles, including DOXA, our youth ministry.
Family
Josh and his wife, Mary Ann, live in Carver and have two sons and two daughters.
Additional Staff
Darin Dalida, Director of Worship
Jackie Thesing, Children's Ministry Coordinator
Jen Parsons, Admin Assistant
Scott Crook, Former Lead Pastor
Cross of Grace was blessed to have Scott Crook as the lead pastor from 2004 until January 2022. His leadership and Gospel-centered preaching not only had a great effect at Cross of Grace, but also reached into the community for the glory and honor of our Lord. God called Scott to be the lead pastor at CrossPointe Church in Arnold, MD, beginning in January 2022. You will find many of his past sermons in our sermon library.
He, along with Cross of Grace, is part of a work that God is doing around the world. Scott is taking the lead pastor role from CrossPointe Church’s pastor Ed O’Mara because Ed has been called to plant Gospel-preaching churches in Italy. Please join us in praying for the work that God is doing in Minnesota, Maryland and Italy, as well as for his family, his wife, Angela, and their daughter and son.