Pastor Michael & Mindi Winakur

Pastor Michael and Mindi Winakur are the founders and Senior Pastors of Cross Culture Church.

What began in 2016 with just a handful of people has now grown into a Spirit-led family gathering in its own building in the Far Northeast Denver/Aurora area. From the very beginning, the vision has been clear: to be a community of faithful disciples who make disciples—living Spirit-filled lives that bring Heaven to earth.

Pastor Michael’s calling to plant and lead a multicultural movement of churches was stirred at a young age. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood, he saw people from every walk of life encounter Jesus, and he knew God was calling him to help build a family of disciples who would reach the lost and grow together in Christ.

Michael and Mindi carry a deep love for the body of Christ and a burning desire to see every believer filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in faith, and living as part of God’s family on mission. Together, they are committed to raising up disciples, developing future pastors and leaders from within, and sending them out to multiply faithful followers of Jesus across communities and nations.

At the center of their ministry is also their home—Michael and Mindi love being parents and treasure time with their three children as they pursue Jesus together as a family.

Education

Pastor Michael

B.A. in Pastoral Leadership, Vanguard University of Southern California

Mindi

B.A. in English, Vanguard University of Southern California

Church History

Pastors Michael and Mindi Winakur carried a God-given dream: to plant a church with a simple but powerful goal—to make faithful disciples of Jesus from diverse cultural backgrounds. Their vision was not just to gather people for services, but to build a Spirit-led family rooted in Jesus, transformed by His presence, and living on mission to bring Heaven to earth.

In 2013, they heard the Lord’s call to plant a church. After two years of prayer, God confirmed that calling in a surprising way—inside a McDonald’s in Green Valley Ranch. While their oldest son played joyfully with children from every nation and generation, the Holy Spirit whispered to Michael and Mindi: “This is the place.” That same day, they signed for a home in the area. Soon after, they began gathering a launch team and partnered with 13 local churches to bring this vision to life: a church of faithful disciples that looks like Heaven.

In the fall of 2015, a small but dedicated group of families began meeting in a ballet studio in Green Valley Ranch. These gatherings grew in number and passion until February 2016, when Cross Culture Church was officially launched at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. From the very first service, the focus was clear—making disciples of Jesus and empowering them to live Spirit-filled lives.

For five years, the church faithfully met as a mobile congregation in schools—persevering even through the challenges of the pandemic. In 2021, God opened the door for Cross Culture Church to purchase its first permanent home at 3995 Lewiston St., Aurora, CO.

Today, the church remains passionate about creating faithful disciples of Jesus who are empowered by the Holy Spirit and sent out to multiply the Kingdom. And the story is only beginning.

“We are more enthusiastic than ever about making faithful disciples of Jesus empowered by the Spirit who go out and do the same. We believe this is just the beginning of what God has in store for the people of Cross Culture Church. We invite you to join us—in a Sunday gathering, a home group, or a discipleship course—and be part of this Spirit-led family.”

– Pastor Michael & Mindi Winakur