Andrea Waitley
Andrea’s love for the Lord and His Word began as a child growing up in Weatherford, Texas. Her great-
grandmother read Bible stories to her, and later began teaching her to memorize scripture. These simple disciplines were the means God used to begin to equip Andrea.
At age 15, the Lord opened Andrea’s heart to believe the gospel and to receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
But it was several years before she understood what it meant to surrender her life completely to the
Lordship of Jesus.
In her early 40’s, Andrea began leading women’s Bible studies. This led to her being asked to speak at a
women’s retreat that was being hosted by her church.
It was out of this event that Cross My Heart Ministries was birthed in January of 2002. At the very center of this ministry was, and still is, the desire to make it possible and affordable for women to attend a retreat or gathering in order to be encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Psalm 86:11, “Teach me Your way, O LORD; and I will walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart to fear Your name,” continues to be the foundational truth for everything
Cross My Heart does.
Soon after CMH was established, a weekly Bible study called Brown Bag Bible study began. Brown Bag is for women who work outside the home and want to attend a Bible study during the day. It is held during the noon hour and twenty-something years later is still going strong.
In 2003, Andrea’s husband, Larry McWhorter, was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer. After just
nine short weeks, Larry went to be with the Lord.
After Larry’s passing, eight-year-old Abi, Andrea and Larry’s little girl, asked Andrea this question, “Who’s going to teach me to ride? Who’s going to teach me how to be a cowgirl? And who’s going to pray for me?” The only answer Andrea could give was that she didn’t know, but God did and He could be trusted to do what was best for them.
And God did know. In 2004, God sent Frank Waitley, a Colorado rancher, into their lives. Andrea called him her “Boaz”. They were married, and Andrea and Abi moved to Colorado.
Frank had been in Christian ministry for years. At the time they married, he was leading a college ministry called Cowboy Up. Andrea began helping him while continuing her work with Cross My Heart. Both ministries came under the umbrella ministry of Andrea & Frank Waitley Ministries. For almost 20 years Andrea and Frank served Jesus together. On August 25, 2023, the Lord called Frank Home.
Andrea continues to make her home in northeastern Colorado. She spends as much time as possible with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Because she believes strongly in the ministry of the local church, Andrea is deeply committed to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling, Colorado.
Cross My Heart continues its ministry to women, and Cowboy Up is now under the leadership of Brandee and Roy Gillham. A new ministry, Grace to Grieve, has also been placed under the covering of Andrea & Frank Waitley Ministries. At the heart of all these ministries is the passion to glorify the Lord and to encourage other believers to do the same.
About Cross my Heart
What began as a women’s retreat at First Methodist church in Weatherford, Texas in January of 2002 is now known as Cross My Heart Ministries. The morning following the retreat some people with a heart for women and a desire for God’s purposes came to Andrea and told her that they could see God’s
calling on her to teach and encourage women. They offered to do whatever was necessary to help her
do that. Cross My Heart is the outcome of their vison.
In its more than twenty years of ministry, Cross My Heart has presented numerous conferences, retreats and gatherings for women in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The mission of Cross My Heart is to equip women to embrace all that the Lord has for them. We also want to make it easy for women to attend our events. We do this by keeping the cost extremely low or not at all. We also travel to places that seem a little out of the way in order to give women living in remote areas the opportunity to experience what other women living in more populated areas experience, and that is the joy of being with other women who love Jesus.
As long as the Holy Spirit leads us, we will continue to be available to churches and women’s ministries. Serving Jesus and His people is our greatest joy.