Our Story

About

Cross & Crown is a worship band with one simple aim: to write worship music the church can sing. Our name holds the whole story — the cross where Jesus gave His life, and the crown He wears as risen King.

Songs for the local church

Every song we release is written with the congregation in mind — singable melodies, Scripture-rooted lyrics, and arrangements any worship team can use.

Hear Our Music

The Band

Who We Are

John J. Peterson

Songwriter · Music Educator · Worship Leader

John J. Peterson is a Christian songwriter, music educator, and worship leader who collaborates with Stephen Halliwell through Cross & Crown. A graduate of Montclair State University, he holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Studies and Family & Child Studies.

John has taught at Hawthorne Christian Academy since 2006, directing handbell choirs, teaching brass, woodwind, and percussion, and helping students develop skills in songwriting and recording engineering. His ministry at the school also includes facilitating student worship teams and leading middle school chapel worship.

His work brings together music education, composition, and Christian worship.

Stephen Halliwell

Songwriter · Church Worship Leader · Educator

Stephen Halliwell is a Christian songwriter, church worship leader, and educator who writes worship music with John J. Peterson for Cross & Crown. He became a Christian at age five and attended Hawthorne Christian Academy from kindergarten through graduation.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey, he spent 16 years working with Bergen County Special Services before joining HCA as a seventh and eighth grade English Language Arts teacher.

Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, reading, and being outdoors. His faculty biography identifies John 16:33, Christ’s promise of peace amid trouble, as his favorite Scripture.