Impactful Women of the 918: Rondalyn Abode

Rondalyn Abode serves as director of development for Crossover Community Impact and recently became executive director of the Crossover Scholarship Fund. She and her husband, Pastor Philip Abode, also helped found Crossover Bible Church.

Crossover Community Impact (CCI) is a Christian organization committed to restoring north Tulsa “through reconciliation, love and justice,” with the goal of creating “a community of healthy individuals, faithful families, peaceful neighborhoods and thriving institutions.”

For 20 years, Crossover has worked to “love our neighborhood,” and much of that work now happens at the Crossover Community Center. Abode helped raise $22 million to create the center, which brings many of Crossover’s programs under one roof. It’s a place where families worship, students learn, neighbors focus on their health and programs serving north Tulsa can grow.

Abode says seeing north Tulsa restored isn’t just her job, but her life’s work.

“By God’s grace, I use what I have to create opportunities for others, including my work as a trained advocate for individuals with disabilities,” she says.

Outside of work, Abode is finishing a master’s in biblical and theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. A Kansas City native who now calls north Tulsa home, she and her husband are raising three children: Temple, Priest and Truth.

Q&A with Rondalyn Abode

Please share a little background about yourself and your current role.

I’ve served as director of development for Crossover Community Impact since February 2016, though my roots go back further — my husband and I helped found Crossover Bible Church, and I advocated for the name “Crossover.” I’m also the new executive director of the Crossover Scholarship Fund. Seeing North Tulsa restored isn’t just my job; it’s my life’s work. By God’s grace, I use what I have to create opportunities for others, including my work as a trained advocate for individuals with disabilities.

I’m finishing a master’s in biblical and theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary — a degree I started more than 20 years ago — and I’m a proud Kansas City native who calls North Tulsa home. My husband, Pastor Philip Abode, and I are raising three littles: Temple, Priest and Truth.

You were nominated because others felt you have an impact on the community in some way. How do you feel that your position or work impacts the community? Why is that important to you?

For 20 years, Crossover has been “Loving Our Neighborhood” — the Community Center is where that comes to life. We raised $22 million to create this third space, and our work pours out of its windows and doors daily. Nearly everything we do is housed there — Crossover Bible Church, Crossover Kids, StreetLeaders, Sports and Fitness, Crossover Development Company and Crossover Prep, with Crossover Health Services next door. Donor generosity built a place where families worship, students learn and neighbors get healthier.

What advice would you have for a young person beginning their career?

My advice: God does the heavy lifting. Show up faithfully and do the work in front of you, even without it all figured out — He’ll open a door or a window or something!

Do you have a fun fact that you can share about yourself, or do you have a favorite place to go in Tulsa?

Fun fact: I recently jumped out of a plane, and my husband is taking me to the LA28 Olympics — both bucket list items!