Joey and Penny Hipp - Lead Pastors
Penny and I both grew up in homes with alcoholic fathers. I thrust myself into sports and Penny used her love for people and animals to escape. We met in High School and married after Penny graduated (I was starting my junior year of college).
I graduated with a degree in business and started two companies and we made a lot of green. Our goal was to be rich and retire by the age of forty (we would have made it but God messed everything up…ha, ha).
We have been in full-time ministry since 1986. For the first eighteen years we traveled throughout the United States as evangelists and into many foreign countries. We had a blast.
In 2000 God deposited a dream...
read on
Andy Reed - Generations Pastor
I have been in ministry for the better part of 15 years. I have worked in many areas of ministry including children, students, education, athletics and worship. I have given myself the title “Jack of All and Master of None.” I am very passionate about helping students Discover & Develop their Purpose in Christ.
Since I have 3 teenagers currently living in my home I have first hand knowledge of the unique trials and struggles that students face and I feel compelled to give them guidance and direction so that they can complete their God given destiny.
Unique fact: My first name is Theodore!
Married to: Rebekah, who is very talented in drama and...
read on
Ashley Klein - Student Ministries
My name is Ashley Danielle Rider-Klein. I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama and I grew up the oldest of three children. After graduating in 2004 from Mary G. Montgomery High School I completed two years of college at Faulkner State Community College on a volleyball scholarship. After receiving my associates and science degree I then pursued a secondary-education and mathematics degree from the University of South Alabama for one year but decided that God was calling me into full time student ministry.
In the summer of 2007 I started the Forerunner School of Ministry in Birmingham. There I traveled across the country ministering to students. The program...
read on
Byron Appling - Graphic & Media Director
We were tired of not having information up on the website about our good buddy Byron so we decided to hijack his bio. Disclaimer…the views expressed in this bio are not necessarily those of Byron or Cross River Church but we couldn’t wait any longer so here goes.
Byron doesn’t know where he is from or how he got here…he just woke up one day in Mobile…surprise, surprise, surprise (he must really love Gomer Pile).
Not sure where he went to school or even if he attend school for that matter. We believe that he was to smart for his own good and his teachers probably kicked him out so that he wouldn’t show them up or embarrass them in front of their...
read on
Desmond Brooks - Director of Interns
My name is Desmond R. Brooks. I am an intense person. I am very passionate about God and Football (which is the best sport ever). I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. After graduating in 1998 from Keystone Academy in Grand Bay, Alabama. I joined the Mobile Police Department for ten years. I got married when I was 20 years old. I had my first and only child when I was 25.
In 2008 I lost my Job, My Wife, and all my Friends. In April 2009 my Life was forever changed! I gave my life to Christ. He saved me, healed me and changed me. Now I am burning with passionate fire for Jesus. After a few months of following God I felt God was calling me into full...
read on