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March 6, 2026 Holy Cross Services & City Rescue Mission
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 Shelbi Frayer currently serves as the CEO at Holy Cross Services/New Hope Community Center, as well as The Nest Lansing, a new homeless shelter she recently founded. Shelbi is an accomplished public sector executive and financial strategist known for stabilizing organizations, leading large cross-functional teams, and delivering transformative fiscal solutions. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning municipal government, education systems, state agencies, and private consulting.
Previously, Shelbi served as the Deputy Mayor for the City of Lansing, overseeing 13 departments and more than 1,000 employees. In this role, she led major development initiatives, including bond projects and a new city hall facility. Prior to working in Lansing, she served as Chief Financial Officer for the City of Flint. Her work resulted in securing $220M in state funding to address the City’s insolvent pension system, preventing bankruptcy and restoring solvency.
Shelbi holds a Master’s degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration from Northwood University.
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Mark Criss has served as Executive Director of the City Rescue Mission for over 20 years. His call to the ministry began as a volunteer, serving  meals at the Mission in 1999. Three years later, he was invited to join the Mission’s Board of Directors. An unexpected career change led him to desire to serve in full time ministry. On July 28, 2003, he became the Associate Director of the City Rescue Mission, and in just over a year, he began to serve as the Executive Director.
Under Mark’s leadership, the Mission has seen tremendous growth. Most recently in 2025, the Mission moved to a new 37,000+ square foot, $10.6 million adult shelter. In 2026, the Mission begins a new chapter at its new location, celebrating 115 years of service in Michigan’s capital area.
Mark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in General Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Liberty University.
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