Faculty and Staff

Philip Abode, Executive Director

Pastor Philip Abode and his wife Rondalyn, have been passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with the Lord ever since they committed their lives to Him during their college years at the University of Tulsa. Shortly after graduating with a degree in Applied Mathematics, Philip moved to Dallas, TX with Rondalyn to attend Dallas Theological Seminary in preparation for helping start Crossover Bible Church where he has served as lead pastor since 2009.

After Philip completed a Masters in Christian Education, he and Rondalyn moved to north Tulsa to start the work that God had called them to. Philip always wanted to serve at a church whose impact in the community went beyond Sunday mornings. Philip began to see how that might become a reality the first season he coached a 3rd grade tackle football team in 2008. Being able to connect with the families and help the kids deal with areas of need in their lives opened Philip’s eyes to the huge access that youth sports gave him into families’ lives in his community. This eye-opening experience transformed Philip’s perspective on what it would take to truly make an impact in his community.

That experience led to the formation of Crossover Community Impact, Inc. (CCI). CCI serves its community through youth sports (Crossover Sports Association), health care (Crossover Health Services), and economic development (Crossover Development Company). Philip and Rondalyn are both excited to be a part of CCI’s effort to serve its community educationally through Crossover Preparatory Academy.

Dr. John Lepine Sr., Principal

Dr. John Lepine Sr. is Crossover Preparatory Academy's founding principal. After graduating from the University of Tulsa with a degree in economics, he joined the Teach For America program and has worked in north Tulsa ever since. While serving as an English teacher and department chair at McLain Jr./Sr. High School, he earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Educational Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision (M.Ed. 2016) and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Ph.D. 2017). He lives in north Tulsa with his wife, Katie, and their three children.

Joanna Shrewsbury, Principal-In-Residence

Joanna Shrewsbury joined the Crossover team in 2020 to launch the new sister school for girls, slated to start in Fall 2021. Joanna is a journalist turned educator who grew up in North Tulsa. She graduated from Booker T. Washington high school and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she received a Bachelor of Journalism with honors. After college, Joanna worked for several affiliate news stations in the midwest and east coast as an anchor and reporter. She discovered her love for children and passion for education when she landed in San Francisco as a young mother. Joanna stepped away from journalism to be at home with her family and served on the board of two cooperative schools where she focussed on community development and parent education. After many years of volunteering in schools, Joanna decided to launch a second career in education. She moved back to Tulsa and began work at Edison High School as an English teacher and policy debate coach before joining the Crossover team. Joanna lives in North Tulsa with her three children just a few doors down from the home where she grew up. She is thrilled to be back in the neighborhood working with Crossover to serve the community she loves.