Meet the Team

Ben Wikner
Executive Director and Pastor

Ben and Erin have been married for 31 years, are parents to seven children and grandparents to two little ones. When not with family, Ben spends a lot of time finding ways to serve the community and strengthen the fabric of our society, as a social entrepreneur and servant in the community.

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Theresa Wheeler
Board President

My name is Theresa Wheeler, I am currently employed by MCPS as a Para Educator for Watkins Mill High School. For the last 5 years this position has allowed my people oriented skills to shine. As I partner with my co-workers, we labor to expand students desire to learn, grow, and mature through strong relational ties. As a educator I have the opportunity to collaborate with staff and community members to develop social skills and work ethic as well as academic. I am known as a team player, relevant communicator and organized person. I am also passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and feeding hungry children and families in need.

In my free time you will find me snuggled up next to my dog Bailey watching home design and cooking shows, laughing with friends over a cup of tea or gardening.

Edwige and Milagro
Community JEDIs

Edwige – A proud Camaroonian, she has been actively serving the community for the past 5 years to help make the GMV a better place to live and work.

Milagro – Wife, Mother, and founder of Mujer Fuerza y Coraje, a group of Latina moms nearly 1000 strong in the GMV. She has been advocating for her community since coming to Maryland from El Salvador 13 years ago.

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Andrew Kim
Board Secretary

Andrew grew up in the quiet suburbs of Rockland County, NY before attending Princeton University for his Electrical Engineering undergraduate degree. After graduating in 2016, he took a year to work on staff at Manna Christian Fellowship, a Christian campus group that had been central to his spiritual growth during his college years. In 2018 Andrew moved to Montgomery County, MD to start his first software engineering job. While searching online for local churches in an unfamiliar county, Andrew found a welcoming home in Cross Community and has been with them since, serving first with A/V setup for Sunday gatherings and now with food distributions that serve the local community throughout the week. As a part of Cross Community, Andrew continues to be blessed each week with opportunities to love, serve, and grow as he learns more about what it means to follow Jesus in a world filled with different perspectives and needs.

Omar Palos
Board Member

Omar is currently the Co-Owner and Consultant for Sweet Seasons Maryland, a business dedicated to distributing fresh produce. He holds a B.A. in International Commerce, graduating from the Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. He currently resides in Montgomery County, MD with his wife and two children. 

David Son
Board Treasurer
David is a Director with DaVita Inc., a provider of kidney dialysis services for patients suffering from end stage renal disease. As a Director within DaVita’s Corporate Development team, David is responsible for leading transactions including acquisitions, divestitures, buyouts, partnerships, and other M&A activities. Prior to joining DaVita in 2015, David had similar responsibilities for American Capital, Ltd. and Bear, Stearns & Co.
David received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with Concentrations in Finance and Marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. In addition to his profession in finance, David is also a part‐time associate pastor at New Covenant Fellowship Church, a non‐denominational church based in Germantown, MD. He has been serving as the pastor over the young adults group in his congregation since 2012. He is also a member of the Senior Management Team that leads the congregation in fulfilling its vision of making disciples of all nations. David currently resides in Clarksburg, MD with his wife and three sons.
Abigail Bridges
Lactation Counselor and Program Manager