Our Staff
Stephen Nicholls, Pastor
[e-mail Steve]Born and raised in New Zealand with a background as a furniture maker and professional woodcarver, then later as a High School teacher, Steve graduated seminary and was ordained in 1983.
After serving in churches in New Zealand for eight years, Steve and his wife Audrey with their three children pastored a church in California for 17 years. In September of 2008, Steve and Audrey responded to a call to restart a church in Newport News, Virginia, and River’s Cross was born.
Steve brings many years of experience to River’s Cross as a visionary leader, teacher, and maker of disciples, helping members to discover and step into the call God has for their lives. Steve still loves to create things with wood, loves the water and walking on remote beaches, going kayaking, sailing, fishing, walking through the woods, playing guitar and bragging about his new grandson. He also loves Celtic music and jazz.
Steve and Audrey have a son who is an USAF pilot, a daughter who is a recording artist, a daughter who is a financial analyst, and a daughter at college.
Loie Darnell, Parish Administrator
[ e-mail Loie ]Loie retired from Verizon and has been the "office staff" for 12 years. Working with flowers at the Botanical Gardens and Chrysler Museum as well as River's Cross is a joy for her. Dedicated to the office of President of the Peninsula Right to Life and the fight for the unborn, there is still room to enjoy grandchildren and animals: sometimes she echos her 26 year old parrot, "It's so good."
Lisa Morgan, Worship Leader
[ e-mail Lisa ]Lisa has been leading worship in Smithfield, Virginia, for the past seven years until God called her to her current ministry at River’s Cross in 2008. Lisa has a heart for people, to lead others into the presence of the Living God through worship. Lisa and Carl have been married for over twenty years and have two daughters whom they home school. Lisa grew up in the army and has her own private beauty salon and a whole bunch of chickens.
Our Vestry
Anna Shelton
[ e-mail Anna ]Anna was born in Sacramento, CA, grew up and was educated in Newport News, and graduated from Christopher Newport College (now University) with a BA in history. She has taught social studies in Newport News Public Schools for nearly 24 years. She has been married for 29 years to Larry, NNFD captain @ Station 10, and has a teenage son, Stuart, who attends Denbigh Aviation Academy. Anna grew in a Judeo-Christian home (father Jewish, mother Southern Baptist), but accepted Jesus/Yeshua as Messiah and was baptized in 1985. She became a member of this church because she was drawn to the similarities in Jewish and Anglican liturgical worship. Her interests include history (of course!), gardening, reading (all types of genres), movies (esp. classics), and scrapbooking. She currently serves River's Cross in the capacity of senior warden.
Buck Tumminello
[ e-mail Buck ]Buck was born and raised in Louisiana and graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He is married to Sandra and they have two grown sons and four grandchildren. He served 27 years in the Army (a career), some years with NASA, and is now employed in the Newport News school system as an AVID tutor at Gildersleeve Middleschool. He thanks God for his journey with Him and prays that River’s Cross will be a blessing to you and your family.
Sam Tatum
[ e-mail Sam ]Sam was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, many years ago. His education includes a degree in Physics from Georgia Tech and Masters of EE from UVA. He worked many years at Newport News Shipbuilding, first as a research engineer and then as the department head of several engineering departments as well as Program Manager, SEAWOLF Submarine. After retirement from the Yard, he was Director of Operations, Global Research, and is currently Business Manager at James River Marine Technical Services.
He and his wife (now deceased) have two children and 7 (very smart) grandchildren. His hobbies are boats and boating. He lives with his Ragdoll cat Saddles on the shores of Lucas Creek in Newport News.
Carl Morgan
[ e-mail Carl ]Carl was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1965. He graduated from Ferguson High School (which is now the Ferguson Center for the Arts) in 1983. He graduated from Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in 1987. He is married to the lovely Lisa Morgan, our Worship Leader, and has two children, Madalynn, 16, and Alexandra, 13. He has been a member of River's Cross since 2007. He enjoys hunting and gardening.
Tim Luken, Treasurer
Tim Luken is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. After serving in the US Navy, he decided to stay in the Hampton Roads area and has lived here for over 20 years. Tim has worked as a manager for a number of Hampton Roads restaurants and special events venues. He has been blessed by God with the gift of administration and has used that to serve both civic and non-profit organizations. Tim is currently a Worker in the Livingstone Monastery and also serves as the Director of the Mosaic campus.