Lay Leader Carolina Cross
I’m Carolina Cross. I was born in Sherburne NY. Raised on a dairy farm. Where I enjoyed working with my dad, mom, grandma, sister and brothers. Then I spent 3 years at Practical Bible college and Broome Community College. Graduating 2004 with both a certificate in Bible and AAS-Physical Therapy Assistant.
During the summer in college I helped make hay on the family farm, finished my clinical internships and worked as a camp counselor/nurse at Montrose Bible Conference in Montrose, PA. It was there sitting on a rock doing my devotions that God spoke to me: Like Paul, a tentmaker, me a PTA and a desire to travel, to be a missionary. I did not require a sponsor because there are travel positions all over America, like traveling nurse. I spent 3,6,9,12 months at various hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient clinics in IL, IN, OH, CT, NC, TX, OR, WA, and PA.
Finally in 2011 I settled in Cincinnati, OH. Where I met and married my late husband, Jim Realey. In 2013 we moved to Sherburne, NY, back to the family farm, where I lost my mom in 2017 to breast cancer and then my late husband in 2020 to pancreatic cancer.
As I clung onto God’s word identifying with Job and the book of Lamentations, God heard my cries. He brought Orra Cross and his family into my life! Married December 7, 2024. Now, I am the lay leader at Center Point Church in Barneveld, NY and I am excited to learn more about God’s word as I lead Bible studies, teach Kidz church and fill in as needed to preach.