Our Team
Rev. Shaun Adams, Pastor
Pastor Shaun is originally from Spokane. During a tour in the U.S. Army he lived in Germany and Texas, and then returned to the Pacific Northwest to attend Washington State University. In his first career he belonged to the regional office for Lowe’s Home Improvement, serving stores in Washington, Idaho and Montana. During this time he and his wife Janna were married at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Spokane (where they also met). Soon after, he began his pastoral formation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. At this time he also started a home inspection company to support his family during his time at the seminary. Pastor Shaun was ordained and installed as an associate pastor in January of 2021. In August of 2025 he was called by our Lord to serve as Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spokane.
Shaun and Janna have three children and as a family they enjoy camping, hiking, and traveling, especially to our beautiful national parks. Janna works for the U.S. Air Force at Fairchild AFB. On those times when Shaun finds himself with some free moments, he loves playing volleyball, watching Dodgers baseball, and trying new recipes out for his family.
Pastor Shaun’s favorite bible verse, which also guides his pastoral ministry, is Ephesians 4:11: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry…” Pastor Shaun’s primary calling from God is to equip the saints of Holy Cross to serve God by serving one another and the greater Spokane community.
Jaye Dryden - Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator
After growing up in South Dakota and living and working in different parts of the country, Jaye landed in Spokane and at Holy Cross in July of 2025, coming directly from Federal Way, WA and St. Luke's Lutheran Church. She comes to Holy Cross with experience in church work, including missions, community outreach, discipleship and youth work (including summer camp) and also lodging and hospitality. Jaye along with two friends also has a small non-profit focused on building a school in Liberia, West Africa. She is passionate about hearing how God is working in people's lives and how she can help support them in their spiritual formation. She loves hanging out with her adult daughter, writing, and traveling... and now, exploring Spokane!
Vicar Bryan Mann
Bryan was assigned as a vicar at Holy Cross in March of 2026 and is pursuing certification and ordination through Concordia Seminary St. Louis through the Specific Ministry Pastor program (SMP). He and his wife and children make their home in Spokane Valley.
Susan Comi, Office Administrator & Business Manager
Susan grew up in a family that moved often, then married a pilot in the Air Force and continued to move often until they finally settled down in Spokane in 2000. She has now lived here longer than anywhere else in her life, so considers herself "from Spokane." Having started her adult life going to Nursing School at the University of Northern Colorado, she decided to stay at home and raise four wonderful and very smart children, even homeschooling them through a part of their lives. She then moved on to teaching preschool for a couple of years before discovering she really enjoys working in a church office with a wonderful group of Christian people. Now, with all of her children out of the house and married, she is trying to rediscover "free time," through her new hobby of glass fusing & slumping, camping, spending time with the grandkids, and walking the family dogs.
Mark Werfelmann, Visitation Deacon
Mark grew up in Holy Cross where his father served as vacancy pastor in the early 1970s. He was confirmed by his father in 1973 and has been an active member from that time on. A graduate of Eastern Washington University, Mark served in the US Air Force from 1988 to 1994. He returned to Holy Cross and has facilitated LifeLight Bible classes since 1996; sings in the choir; occasionally serves as cantor and liturgist; and is a trained and certified Stephen Minister. In 2004 Mark was elected to the Board of Elders. Mark completed the Leadership Advancement Program (LAP) and served faithfully for many years as a Licensed Lay Deacon in the Northwest District of LCMS. He now serves God as the primary Visitation Deacon for Holy Cross, bringing God’s grace and love to our homebound members. He and Kristine were married in 2002 and are blessed with a healthy and active son, Nathan, who currently attends Washington State University.
Staci littrel, office administrator
Staci and her husband Mike have lived in Spokane since 1987. They were very active members of Holy Cross for many years while raising their 3 oldest boys. Staci was a Sunday School teacher, a MOM's group leader, helped with VBS, preschool and the youth group. They transferred to Pilgrim Lutheran for 10 years where Staci was pretty much involved in the same things while raising their 3 youngest boys. Staci and Mike returned to Holy Cross in 2022. She is enjoying being in the quilting group, LWML, helping in the preschool and now working in the office part time. We are thrilled to have Staci on staff as she brings many gifts and talents to our ministry team.
debi McBride, pianist, organist, praise team leader
Debi grew up attending St. John’s Lutheran Church, where her musical abilities began to develop. She expanded her piano skills during high school by learning to play the pipe organ and has served as pianist and organist at St. John’s.
She transferred to Holy Cross in 1991, where she has faithfully served for many years as an organist, pianist, praise team leader, and in assisting with worship planning.
Debi enjoys sharing life with her husband, Brian, while working as a practice administrator at a local dental office. She is the proud mother of a son and three daughters, and her family continues to grow with the addition of wonderful grandchildren. In her free time, she and Brian love camping, boating, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Heather selset, pianist & Praise Team leader
Heather and her husband Lee live in Suncrest with their pets. In addition to her musical offerings at Holy Cross, Heather works from home part-time doing background investigations, and also live-streaming cozy video games and artwork. She and her husband enjoy living out in the peace and quiet, as it allows Heather to manage her Fibromyalgia (chronic pain and fatigue) the best she can. Even with Fibro, Heather is very thankful to God that, through Holy Cross, she gets to continue using her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Concordia University, Ann Arbor.