Our Staff

Our Pastor & Family

Duane Hunt, 53, has been a pastor and new church developer (church planter) with the Missionary Church for the past 31 years. A native of greater Detroit, MI, he and his wife Peggy are both graduates of Taylor University's Fort Wayne, Indiana campus. The Hunts have lived in Polk County since July 1986 and in southeast Winter Haven since fall 1999. Married for almost 35 years, Duane & Peggy have 5 adult children and 10 grandchildren (so far). Peggy is a 5th Grade Teacher at Chain of Lakes Elementary School in Winter Haven.

The Hunts are trained and experienced church planters who started Crossroads Community Church between Lakeland, Auburndale & Winter Haven in April 1994. Duane has broad experience in a variety of leadership and community roles. He is an alumnus of Leadership Winter Haven Class XXIII, has served on the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and currently serves as a chamber Ambassador. He also serves on the School Advisory Council for Chain of Lakes Elementary, has served as an Ambassador for the Lake Wales Area Chamber, on the Board of Directors for the Ruby Lake Homeowners Association, as PTSO President for Boswell Elementary School and for many years as the Vice District Superintendent for the Missionary Church Florida District. Duane's passion in life is to develop new churches and connect new people with the difference a personal relationship with Jesus Christ makes.

In addition to time with Peggy and the family, Duane's interests include working out @ Gold's Gym, jogging, Michigan Wolverines football (Go Blue!), National Parks, travel, photography, hiking, and music, especially classic rock (there simply is no bigger Beatles and Beach Boys fan!) and contemporary Christian music.