DAVID CROSS

David is passionate about the rescue and long-term wellbeing of children. In January 2010 David and his wife Andrea, along with their children, moved to Thailand where David served with ZOE for over 11 years.  During this time David worked with ZOE indigenous staff on programs to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children. David assisted ZOE’s efforts in the rescue of children (alongside Government and Law Enforcement) and journeyed alongside children and the ZOE Thailand staff to help restore the lives of child trafficking survivors.

In 2011, David helped ZOE with the establishment of ZOE Foundation Australia.

Since 2018, David has been assisting ZOE with global operations, communication and strategy.

In 2021, David and his family returned to Australia where he currently serves as the ZOE Foundation Australia CEO.

Prior to joining ZOE, David owned and managed a business in Melbourne, Australia. For 16 years, he used his position in business to practically and financially support Australian children, through specialised children’s camps and foster care. He was also a volunteer foster care parent for children in need of respite, emergency care and short-term placements.

David graduated with a Commerce degree with majors in Management and Marketing at Deakin University.

David currently earns a salary from ZFA that is drawn from both designated donations and other funds from ZFA.

ANDREA CROSS

Andrea has been contributing to the development of children for more than 25 years.

In her teenage years she was a leader in the children’s ministry department at her church and has since gone on to work in full time, part time and volunteer positions in a variety of areas. Her experience comes from not only her years teaching in a primary school classroom setting but includes her many years leading on children’s camps, coordinating after school care programs, working in holiday programs, leading games for Life Be In It and participating in beach missions.

After completing a certificate in Sports and Recreation at Swinburne University, Andrea completed a double degree in Arts (Indonesian) and Education (Teaching) at Deakin University.

Andrea worked as a teacher at Mentone Girl’s Grammar School and Flinders Community Christian College, where she was involved in both classroom teaching and curriculum development. In this time, she received a scholarship to travel to Japan in order to develop a unit of work in the area of SOSE (Studies of Society and Environment). Later on this became a published work.

In 2004 Andrea began helping disadvantaged children through OZ Child Family Services as a foster care parent. She later trained and worked as a volunteer buddy to assist and support new volunteer parents in their role.

Since becoming a mum herself, Andrea developed a heart for helping other mothers. In 2007 she founded a mother’s support group for women in her local community. Discovering a love of writing, she began generating parenting newsletters and created an informative blog to inspire those around her. Her blog continues to encourage mums from around the world by offering hope, information and creative ideas.

In January 2010 Andrea and her husband David, along with their children, moved to Thailand where she served with ZOE for over 11 years.

Through the years, Andrea’s compassion towards both hurting children and parent’s needs has continued to increase. She believes undoubtedly that God has called her to help others and be an encouragement in the lives of families. Whilst she still views her biggest and most important role as being ‘wife’ and ‘mother’ in her own family, she is committed to being a positive influence, role model and hope in the lives of others, through displaying God’s promises of a life of joy and peace.

In 2021, Andrea and her family returned to Australia and to continue the work of ZOE Foundation Australia.

Andrea currently earns a salary from ZFA that is drawn from both designated donations and other funds from ZFA.