staff & ministry leaders

  • Dr. Israel Cox - Lead pastor

    israel@mycrosspoint.org

    Lead Pastor Israel serves Crosspoint by teaching most Sunday mornings, and by providing overall vision and leadership to the congregation. He is passionate about seeing people come to understand that the God who created them loves them more than they imagined, and then watching those same people surrender their hearts to that amazing love. Israel is married to Deana, and they have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. When he’s not serving at Crosspoint, Israel loves spending time with family, hunting and fishing, or watching a good football game. When he can do all of that at the same time…..well that’s even better! 



  • Doug Piper - executive PASTOR

    doug@mycrosspoint.org

    Doug oversees the Family Ministries of the church and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Crosspoint. He has been married to his best friend Paulette for over 20 years and they have three children and one grandchild. He is passionate about growing God's Kingdom - one person at a time. In his free time he enjoys everything outdoors, hunting, fishing and baseball. 



  • Dr. Jonathan Woodward - Worship Pastor

    jonathan@mycrosspoint.org

    As a small town Mississippi boy, singer/guitarist Jonathan Woodward stepped into the realm of music leadership during his high school years. Jon moved on to graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor's in music, master’s in music education, and Ph.D. in higher education administration. Currently, he is serving as the worship leader for Crosspoint Church. The best part of Jon is his wife, Eilene, and three awesome children. He loves playing and watching sports, especially the Saints! Jon feels called to help connect people to God through worship and the arts in creative ways. Outside of church work, Jon serves as the executive vice president, Teaching & Learning and Community Campus for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. 

  • Cheri Kozar - Administration

    cheri@mycrosspoint.org

    Cheri handles the Church Finances and Administration. She is married to Jerry. Her passion is helping encourage others in the journey of knowing and serving God. She enjoys serving behind the scenes, studying the Bible, and reading. 

  • emily cain - kids' ministry

    EMILY@MYCROSSPOINT.ORG

    Emily serves as the Kids’ Ministry Director here at Crosspoint. She grew up at Crosspoint and is so happy to be back serving our kids and families. Emily has a heart for the lost and a passion for furthering God’s Kingdom. She earned her bachelor's degree in Christian Ministries from William Carey University in 2019.  She and her husband, Jake, have twin sons, Elias and Thomas. When she’s not serving Crosspoint, she loves spending time with her family.

  • tyler catchot - youth ministry

    tyler@mycrosspoint.org

    Tyler serves the youth at Crosspoint where he is passionate about instilling biblical foundations in them for their use in pursuing and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus. Tyler is married to Lizzie, and they have a son and a daughter. In addition to serving the youth, Tyler works as a civil and environmental engineer at a local engineering firm in Gulfport. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and playing golf.

  • Rick Bostick - Helping hands & hearts ministry

    Rick@mycrosspoint.org

    Rick has committed himself to a life of service. Serving as Crosspoint's Facilities Manager falls right in line with his 22 years of active duty in the U. S. Navy. Showing Christ's love through serving others is his true passion. In addition to serving as the Facilities Manager, he is the coordinator for Crosspoint's local outreach ministry "Helping Hands and Hearts." Rick is married to his #1 lifelong supporter, Dianna. He is most proud of his two sons who have both also served in the military.

  • bobby cox - Men's ministry

    bobby@mycrosspoint.org

    Bobby serves Crosspoint by helping lead men through Bible studies, serving others, and connecting with them in community. His passion is to see people come to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him and each other. Bobby is married to his best friend, Elaine. They have two sons, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Bobby enjoys a little woodworking, sports and the outdoors.

  • shane clark - marriage ministry

    shane@MYCROSSPOINT.ORG

    Shane and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 30+ years and raised two boys, who have both left the nest and started their own families.  Shane is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is currently a Technical Training Instructor at Naval Construction Training Center in Gulfport. He loves spending time together with Lisa, whether it is doing ministry together, date nights or various hobbies such as paddle boarding, biking, home improvement projects, pickle ball and, yes, even ladies shoe shopping.

  • tracy yanez, APR - communication Team Leader

    Tracy@mycrosspoint.org

    With more than 20 years experience in corporate communications, Tracy volunteers her time and experience to supporting the mission and people of Crosspoint Church by helping tell the great story of how God is working through them. Tracy and her husband, Pete, collectively have four adult children and four grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, photography and is a growing bird enthusiast. In addition to church work, Tracy works for Accelerate MS - the State Office for Workforce Development.