Jeannie Cross
Jeannie was born and raised in Hope, AR, and currently resides in Bryant, AR, with her son, Evan and pets, Max and Luffy. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1997 with a BA in Music with a Principal in Piano. She has served at several churches in the central Arkansas area including Central Baptist in North Little Rock (piano, bass and Instrumental Music Coordinator), Fellowship Bible in West Little Rock (piano and bass), Fellowship Bible in Benton (piano), First Baptist in Benton (piano), First Christian in Sherwood (piano) and Pulaski Heights Christian in Little Rock (piano). She has music directed and/or played keyboard for many musical productions at local theaters including Arkansas Repertory Theater, The Weekend Theater, The Studio Theater, The Royal Theater and Community Theater of Little Rock.
Her son, Evan, is 17 and will graduate from Bryant High School in May 2022. She has worked at Farm Bureau in the state office for 23 years where she is a Research Analyst in the Actuarial Department. Her hobbies include reading (mostly fiction) and working all kinds of puzzles. When things slow down after Evan goes off to college, she envisions getting involved in musicals once again in central Arkansas.
She shared the following regarding her philosophy of music in the worship service: “My philosophy is the same as my thoughts on the role of music and ALL forms of art in general life. Music generates emotions depending on the listener. A song can take you back to a Sunday morning sitting with your family in church. It can make you smile remembering a school dance. It can make you cry because it was a long lost loved one's favorite. The lyrics of that 2nd verse always fill you up with joy. That key change makes you feel transcendent. In worship, it's all the same and can make your experience more fulfilling.”
First Christian Church - Sherwood welcomes Jeannie as Music Director, January 2, 2022!