Dion Crites was appointed to serve as Word and Spirit Worship Center's Senior Pastor November, 2011. Prior to that, he served as an Elder of Miracle Temple COGIC in Springfield, Il for 18 years.

The attributes that best describe Pastor Crites as a pastor are strong preaching, leadership development and counseling. He has expressed a burning desire to lead a church like Word and Spirit Worship Center where biblical views are embraced and encouraged, with members who care about the needs of those around them and who want to connect others to the body of Christ. Pastor Crites takes worship and preaching very seriously, spending the first hours of his day focused on Bible study.

He graduated from Lincoln Christian University in 2016 with a Masters Degree in Theology.  Pastor Crites has been happily married for 38 years to his wife, Pastor Lisa Crites . They have 2 Children, Dion and Brie and a several grandchildren.

Associate Pastor Melody Hullett became a member after transferring from Cathredal of Worship in Quincy, IL.  She is a Life Christian University for the Springfield Campus and has also earned by Masters Degree in Theology.