Cross and Resurrection, The Chapel at EMU

Rev. Bryan K. Schindel

Hi! I’m the Senior Pastor at Cross and Resurrection. I help to cast the vision for our church and work with the members to carry out our Ministry. I also supervise the staff and mentor others in making Disciples. Being on Campus creates many opportunities to serve students and to nurture families and others in using their gifts for God’s Kingdom!

I am first and foremost a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. I’m also the husband of an amazing wife, Laura, father of 11 children, and grandfather to 12 grandchildren! I’ve been privileged to serve at Cross and Resurrection for 15 years. I’m also very involved in the community as part of Love Washtenaw, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (past President), Chaplain to the EMU Police and Adjutant at my Legion.

I’m very thankful for the work that Cross and Resurrection has done to provide a safe and nurturing home for families and students here at EMU. We look forward to welcoming and serving many more as the Lord calls us all to HIMSELF as our Savior and Lord! We look to the future as a wonderful harvest field with many exciting opportunities to join JESUS on HIS MISSION as HIS FOLLOWERS!

Roger Varblow

As Cross and Resurrection's senior elder, I serve closely with the senior pastor, lead the Elder Team meetings, and perform the duties of an elder. I was a founding member of C&R in 1980.

My wife Beth and I have seven adult children and 23 grandchildren.  I earned  a Bachelor of Science – Engineering degree from the University of Michigan, and I am CEO/CFO of a software company in Ann Arbor (AdvantageCS).  All of our children and grandchildren live in Michigan, which is a joy for both Beth and me who host many meals and other events for our extended family.

Christine Kleimola

Typically you will find me one of the first people to arrive at Cross and Resurrection Sunday mornings and Monday mornings assist  with whatever I can.  I look forward to leading the Wednesday Women’s Bible Study at 12:30 pm.  Come join us!

A graduate of Concordia University and EMU, I attended Cross and Resurrection in the 70’s, walking across the street from Walton Dormitory to go to church.  I am delighted to once again be able to walk to church, but now it’s about a mile walk from my house. 

After teaching Special Education for 40 years, I decided it was time to move on to other passions in life including  helping more at church, and providing respite to families who have a child with a disability.

I adopted three children:  Rachael who now dances with Jesus in Heaven (a very medically fragile child who I was privileged to love for 21 years); James who was my student when he was five, who is active at C & R as well as the EMU community; and David who is now a long-haul truck driver based out of Kansas.

Cindy McCain

After retiring from The Ann Arbor News, I returned to work as the secretary at our partner church, St. Mark's, in Brooklyn, MI, where I was  for ten years.  I have been at Cross and Resurrection since August, 2024.  I am married to Mike and we have two adult children, a granddaughter, and three cats.