Jody was born and raised in Ottawa. He came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at 16 after being confronted with his need for a Saviour after his father was seriously injured in a fall. He completed a B.A. at Carleton University and then a B.Ed. at the University of Ottawa. During the university years, Jody led worship in both youth and campus ministries. Jody ministered in South and Central America with YWAM and Campus Crusade for Christ. After returning from Costa Rica in 1987, Jody sensed a call to full-time vocational ministry.
In 1988 Jody and Alexandra were married and he joined staff at Sunnyside Wesleyan Church in Ottawa. The church experienced the blessing of God and a renewal of its ministry, especially its ministry to students. Jody continued at Sunnyside until 1993 when he and his wife felt God's call to complete an M.Div. at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. The Cross family moved to Newmarket where Jody developed the worship ministry at Grace Church.
Upon graduation from Tyndale in 1995, Jody served as Worship Chapel Director for the school. In January 1996, for four years, Jody was co-teacher in the Worship and Liturgy course at the seminary. In 1995 Jody sensed a strong call from the Lord to use his gifting and passion to equip the local church in the area of worship and began to travel to various churches conducting worship seminars.
Jody joined the team at Orangeville Baptist Church as Associate Pastor of Worship and Small Group Ministries in 1997. Jody wrote and released his first worship CD, "Made For You" in December 1998. In the summer of 2001, Jody was called to Barrie, Ontario as Associate Pastor to help plant the first Canadian Harvest Bible Chapel. By the gracious hand of God, four years later, Harvest Bible Chapel Barrie is a passionate and growing congregation with an attendance of over 700.
Jody released his second worship CD, "Forward to Forever" in May 2003. In November 2003, Jody received 3 Covenant Awards at the CGMA's 25th Annual Awards event for Praise and Worship Album of the Year, Praise and Worship Song of the Year and Inspirational Song of the Year. Jody also received a Juno Award nomination and a Vibe Music nomination. He was nominated for 3 CGMA Covenant Awards in the same three categories in 2006 for his third worship CD, "Rekindle." In October 2006 he took home a Covenant Award for "Praise And Worship Album Of The Year" for that album.
Jody has appeared on 100 Huntley Street numerous times and his music is heard on Christian radio stations across Canada. He has also produced a weekly worship radio feature, Window into Worship, designed to stir believers to become lifestyle worshippers.
His newest worship CD "Rekindle" has the theme of revival taken from Psalm 85:6. The first radio single, ..Show Us Your Glory.. is now airing across the nation. Many other singles from this project and his 2 other albums are currently playing regularly on Christian radio in Canada.
Jody..s heart is to equip the church for passionate worship. He regularly speaks at local churches and mentors younger worship leaders. Jody is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program and desires to see the establishment of a national Worship School to train a new generation of lead worshippers.
Jody and his wife Alexandra have been happily married for 17 years and have four active children (ages 6 to 12).
