About our Founder: 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 till 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.