learn about our history

About Us

Christ-Centered

Who We Are

God has been working through CrossLife since our establishment in Vero Beach, Florida in 1993 to teach and encourage people to function by the dynamic of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

01

Scripturally-Grounded

CrossLife Ministries is a nonprofit Christ-centered ministry offering personal counseling, leadership training, and worldwide mission opportunities. Our teaching is based on Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

02

Identity-Focused

The meaning of CrossLife? It’s about identity! Who we are! The purpose of the ministry of CrossLife is to help a Christian understand their identity in Christ. The center point or point of reference of the gospel is Jesus Christ and what it means to be Christian. Christianity begins and ends with the “Cross-Life” of Jesus Christ!

03

Life-Changing

As a Christian understands who they are in Christ, they can begin to choose to live consistent with what Christ as their life is doing in them, allow His character to be manifest through them which is the behavioral expression that every Christian desires to experience. The counseling, leadership training, mission opportunities, and interactive gatherings of Christian fellowship at CrossLife is based on the living reality of Christ as your life, or as we call it the “CrossLife.”

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

Galatians 2:20

Meet Your Counselor

Don Burzynski

Don Burzynski is a Christian counselor, author, and teacher whose passion is to help believers discover the freedom of Christ as their Life. For years Don faithfully served as a pastor, but after exhausting himself in religious striving, God brought him to the life-changing realization that the Christian life is not about what we do for Christ, but about living from Christ within.

Since 2001, Don has served with CrossLife Ministries, where he now directs the ministry and counsels individuals and couples from across the world. His heart is to equip Christians to experience their true identity in union with Christ through the grace–faith connection.

In 2018, he launched Life As God Intended (LGI), a ministry extension with a growing YouTube channel and teaching resources. Most recently, he published a three-volume discipleship counseling workbook series, Life As God Intended, guiding believers into a deeper walk with Christ.

Don and his wife, Joy, live in Vero Beach, Florida, and are blessed with eight children and eight grandchildren.

MISSIONS

The heart of CrossLife missions abroad is training believers to minister the good news of Jesus Christ and equipping them to impact their world understanding that Christ is their Life!

CrossLife is a cross-denominational ministry that serves individual and churches, and travels internationally training pastors and Christian leaders who in turn train disciples in their own churches and communities. CrossLife goes to the nations by answering the call of God and responds to the needs of people around the globe. This effort is multiplied through partnering with various mission agencies to reach the “fields white unto harvest.”

Support Team Behind the Ministry

BOARD MEMBERS

Sam Hjalmeby

Vice President

Sam Hjalmeby is the President and Founder of Samuel Jan Homes, a Vero Beach based custom home builder. He lives in Vero with his wife and seven children. Sam was first introduced to CrossLife in 2005 when it profoundly changed his life and his understanding of God’s grace. Over the years, the truths taught by CrossLife has helped him navigate through both his personal and professional life. Upon being asked to join the Board of Directors in 2016, he jumped at the opportunity in hopes to help spread the CrossLife message.

Pat Metz

Treasurer

Patti G. Metz, CPA, MSA is managing member of her own company, PGM Accounting & Consulting, LLC. She provides accounting and tax services to individuals and businesses throughout Indian River and Union counties. She has held positions with the State of Florida Office of the Auditor General and Orange County, FL Comptroller. Pat has been an accounting manager in two not-for- profit education organizations, Central Florida Bible College (now Johnson University-Florida) and Gifford Youth Achievement Center, and a community property management company. She has worked extensively in public accounting in Asheville, NC,Winter Park, FL and Vero Beach, FL where she performed sales tax audits, supervised year-end CIRA reviews and audits, prepared tax returns for individuals, corporations, trusts and estates,and payroll, and prepared/reviewed monthly financial statements.

Pat received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida) and was awarded a master of science in accounting from the University of Central Florida. In 1995 she acquired her State of Florida CPA license.

Raised in Orlando, FL, Pat now resides in Lake Butler, FL.

Debby Foster

Director

A Vero Beach native, Debby grew up knowing about God and trying hard to please him with “her” life. There were multiple seasons where she came up short, and thus became more aware of her inability to do so. She was first led to CrossLife in 2011, and the message of Christ’s indwelling presence was revolutionary to her journey. She’s continually learning and accepting that Christ alone is her life.
Debby and her husband Graham love spending time with their five adult children and their expanding family, as well as their extended family and friends. Debby home schooled their children and enjoyed involvement in multiple educational co-ops and ministries to moms and families. Now, a certified nursing assistant, she is a private duty caregiver and companion to seniors. She’s excited to be a part of sharing this life-changing great news.

Annette Bissonnette

Legacy Director

A Vero Beach native, Annette grew up knowing about God and trying hard to live the Christian life in her own strength. Like many, she faced seasons of drifting from her Christian beliefs, not realizing that the Christian life is not about human ability but about Christ’s indwelling presence.

Through a journey of brokenness and renewal, Annette began to embrace the life-changing message her father, Don Burzynski, has faithfully shared for over 25 years — that true freedom is found only in Christ living His life in and through us. This truth has revolutionized her walk with the Lord, and she now lives joyfully in the freedom of His sufficiency.

Annette and her husband, Tom, are blessed with four children — four of Don’s eight grandchildren. In addition to managing their home, Annette homeschools their youngest child, runs a cleaning business, and operates a thriving online eBay business.

In 2025, Annette was unanimously appointed by the Board of Directors as Legacy Director of Cross-Life Ministries. She counts it a privilege to serve in this role, helping steward the message of grace, faith, and Christ as our life — ensuring that the ministry continues to flourish for generations to come.

RESOURCES

You can learn more and see additional resources we have available by clicking the link below. You are not alone, we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way.