FUMC is fortunate to have Reverends Laird & Tina Cross as Co-Senior Pastors. Both are ordained Elders in the United Methodist Church, and are passionate about serving FUMC together as a clergy couple. Laird and Tina met in seminary at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where both received their Master of Divinity degrees. Tina and Laird have served churches in Colorado and West Texas, and are delighted to now be in Roswell.

Laird’s call to ministry came in the midst of a corporate career which equipped him with a keen understanding of what it means to live out one’s faith in the real world. He knows the needs of God’s people and God’s church and feels truly blessed to minister with warmth and humor. Pastor Laird grew up in Alamogordo, graduated from the University of New Mexico, and served one tour in the US Marines before returning to New Mexico.

Tina was raised as a United Methodist in the farm lands of South Dakota. She has degrees in Music and Special Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD and has served as a special education teacher, a private music instructor, and Director of Music at a Disciples of Christ Church in Colorado. Tina is a teacher at heart which is reflected in her lively, understandable sermons, which often include a bit of Norwegian American humor. She is passionate about preaching, teaching and providing pastoral care with her husband and ministry partner, Laird.

When not at the church, both pastors can be found riding horses across the New Mexico landscape, or snuggled with their family. Tina and Laird have five adult children and five grandchildren. They live at home with their daughter Beth as well as a farm yard full of chickens, goats, horses, cats, and dogs.