ross@myrivertree.org

I was born and raised in Huntsville. I graduated from UAH, married my amazing wife, and headed to Texas to attend seminary. Before returning to Huntsville, I served on staff at two different churches in Fort Worth, Texas and Marietta, Georgia.

In 2000, we returned to Huntsville to help build a new church called The Church at Hampton Cove. It was a rare and special opportunity for me. This new church allowed me to take part in many areas of ministry from; leading student ministry, assisting in guest services and children’s ministry, and teaching as one of the members of our Sunday morning teaching team. In 2006, our fellowship changed its name to Rivertree Church and I was asked to step into the role of pastor. It has been such a privilege to be a part of this body. God has continued to give me clarity that these are the people He wants me to share my life with. I love seeing people develop a deep sense of community, different kinds of people coming together and experiencing friendship and connection because of Jesus.

A community that begins to understand who they are in the light of Jesus’ cross and resurrection becomes a bright light in a dark world. Discovering what happens through a fellowship bent on glorifying God and leveraging themselves for the building of the Kingdom is a church family I want to be a part of. Rivertree is a place like that. Jennifer and I have been married 21 years. We have four children; Lydia, Simon, Sarah, and Tobin. We don’t go anywhere without snacks and you can always hear us coming.

cj@myrivertree.org

Hi. I’m CJ. I was born and raised in a small town in middle Tennessee. It was there that I met my wife, Kristina, during my junior year in high school. We were married in 1999 and have four children: Iain, Livi, Ellie, and Emmitt.

After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, we moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and I began studies at Southern Seminary. While attending classes, I served on staff at a church located just around the corner from Churchill Downs.

In 2004, I graduated with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education. That same year, we moved to Cullman, Alabama where I served full-time in a local church setting. In 2006, we moved to Huntsville to join the ministry team at Rivertree. Since being here, I have served alongside our team in the areas of next generation ministry, church administration, and adult discipleship. I currently serve as the Care & Spiritual Formation Pastor, partnering with leaders in the areas of discipleship groups, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, prayer ministry, and care & crisis ministry.

Kristina and I love this church and our community. It’s a privilege to serve alongside Rivertree teams and leaders to encourage and support the good work God is completing in the lives of our church family. We’ve enjoyed making Rivertree our home, and we are thankful we have this community of believers with which to serve and worship Jesus.

steven@myrivertree.org

I grew up in Clinton, Mississippi, where I graduated high school and ultimately ended up going to college. I studied music at MS College, where I focused on religious music with an emphasis in voice and also did some Masters work in conducting. More importantly, though, I met my beautiful wife Cheryl there. While attending and working for the college, I felt a call to full time ministry in the church. Cheryl and I served at Raymond Road Baptist for seven years and then moved to Huntsville in 2003 to help begin a new work called Summit Crossing Community Church. God moved us into a new place of service at Rivertree in June of 2010. We have two boys, Matthew and Benjamin, who definitely add excitement to the journey.

I have a deep desire and calling to see the people of God, fully engaged in the worship of God. Music is a medium and one way God has given us to worship him. Music often moves us and evokes emotion in us like nothing else can, and it is an activity that we can participate in together to express praise, adoration and devotion to God. I love to equip and see people using music, as well as other creative means, to worship God corporately and then to see that translate into a life that worships God outside the walls of Rivertree.

justin@myrivertree.org

I was born and raised in Texas. God called me to the ministry when I was a high school student. I remember telling God that being in the ministry was fine as long as it didn’t mean I would be some kind of crazy missionary!  

I went to college to study theology at East Texas Baptist University. It was there that I met my wife, Catherine, who has supported and served alongside me everywhere the Lord has sent us. God quickly broke my heart for the more than 3 billion people in the world who have never heard the Gospel for the first time. After that first year in university, the Lord began leading me to become one of those “crazy” missionaries and I spent the summer in Zambia, Africa.

Not long after Catherine and I graduated from college, God sent us to live and serve in St. Petersburg, Russia for two years with the International Mission Board. Our first son Gabriel was born during this time in Russia.

We returned to Texas and I began serving in a church as the Associate Pastor for Student Ministry.  I also began working on my seminary degree in Theological Studies and Intercultural Leadership at SBTS. During the 5 years there, we taught our students and the church about God’s heart for the nations and led them on several mission trips to India and Russia. Our precious daughter, Abigail, was born at that time as well.

God wasn’t done with us in Russia though and He sent us back to serve there for another 3 years. During that time in Russia, we worked with university students and young professionals starting Bible discussion groups for non-believers. We also had another beautiful child, Michael.

We are thrilled that God has now brought us to be a part of the family at Rivertree.  We are excited that we can be a part of reaching this community, the nation, and the world with the Good News of Christ!

scott@myrivertree.org

It was a privilege to join the Rivertree Staff during the summer of 2017. My wife Amy and I began attending Rivertree in 2008 after returning from Virginia and falling in love with the people and the ministry of this church. We were especially drawn to the focus of the church on encouraging each other to be more like Christ, the recognition that the Body of Christ is not limited to one building or denomination, and the emphasis on missions. We have been encouraged that though Rivertree continues to grow, it still holds true to the focus on building community and practicing service.

Prior to accepting the role of Administrative Pastor, I was a school administrator for 8 years and a teacher for 7 years. I was born in Chicago and spent the early part of my childhood int he Midwest, but moved to the Huntsville area where I officially converted to a Southerner! I attended Liberty University to pursue a career in education but ended up operating several steakhouse restaurants before getting into teaching. I married my high school sweetheart (who is a teacher in the Huntsville City School System) and we have 3 beautiful children (Hannah, Jacob, and Caleb) who are in the Rivertree Student and Rivertree Kids ministries.

sdunne@myrivertree.org

I was born in New York, left when I was 2, then spent some time in Seattle. I've lived most of my life in Huntsville. I met my wife, Elizabeth, in the youth group at our church while I was in high school. After graduation, I attended New Orleans seminary where I got my bachelor's degree. Then I attended Liberty and attained my master's degree in Christian ministry. From 2003-2017, I had the privilege of serving as the Student Pastor and Teaching Pastor in the church where I was saved here in Huntsville, Alabama. Those 14 years of ministry were so fun and God was so faithful during that time. 

In June 2017 we felt God leading us to Rivertree Church, and I am now the Student Pastor. It is a joy to serve at Rivertree and have an opportunity to work with students. I know a lot of who we are is formed in the time between 6th-12th grades. My hope is that we will help one another know Jesus by sharing the gospel and our lives. My heart is for students to fall in love with Jesus and be passionate followers of Christ. It is a great privilege to be at Rivertree and we are excited about all the Lord is doing here.

I have been married to Elizabeth for 13 years and we have two daughters, Anna and Ellie, who are so much fun. I love being their dad. We are all so excited to be at Rivertree and so thankful for how well the church has loved us already.

kasi@myrivertree.org

I grew up in Richmond, Texas, where I graduated high school and moved to Huntsville to attend UAH. My husband Carl and I met at UAH and were married in August 2000. We have two precious daughters, Claire and Caeli, who make life fun! I graduated with a BSBA in Management Information Systems and worked in industry before becoming a Computer Science and Business Education teacher at Bob Jones High School. While attending Cove Church, God blessed me with the opportunity to serve on the Children’s Ministry team in 2007. For three years we helped plant a local church called 100X Church. Our family is excited that God led us to Rivertree in November 2013 and into a new place of service.

I love creating an engaging environment for our children to learn Bible stories and worship on Sunday mornings. It is important for all ages to learn to serve others and participate in tangible mission projects. My goal is to build a ministry where we come alongside the parents to fight for the heart of every child and help teach them His Word. I enjoy serving with children’s ministry volunteers and encouraging them to build relationships with the kids that will impact both of their lives. God has entrusted and blessed us with His children and it is our responsibility to reach the next generation for the kingdom of Christ.

priscilla@myrivertree.org

I’ve been married to Dale since 1989. We have 2 adult children, Tyler and Anna Grace. We currently live in the north Marshall county area, in New Hope, where I have lived most of my life. Our family has attended Rivertree since 1998. Our family has always had a desire to serve the Lord in our community and our church.

My education/training background was in accounting and in quality assessment for a local automotive company. From there, I started staying home with my children where we enjoyed homeschooling for many years. Several years ago, I started developing the First Impressions ministry at Rivertree, then came on as part-time staff in 2008. We now have several different teams in this Ministry.

The desire and mission of First Impressions is always to be genuine in our greeting to all guests and members along the way--from the parking lot to the worship area. From arriving to leaving, we want to show Christ’s love, serve them, help everyone feel welcomed, and at home, in order to build the foundation for their worship experience. We have wonderful volunteers who love the Lord and love others and do an amazing job of serving.

kristi@myrivertree.org

My name is Kristi, and I’m originally from Chattanooga, TN. I graduated from the University of Tennessee, where I majored in Accounting. I worked for several years in Human Resources at a manufacturing plant in Tennessee. In 2000, I became a stay-at-home mom when my son, Christian, was born. I moved to Huntsville in 2002 and have been a part of Rivertree Church since a few weeks after moving here. I became involved with the preschool ministry and have loved working with the children in our church. Most Sundays you will find me with the boys and girls in our Toddler class. In 2007, I became a Mother’s Morning Out teacher at First Baptist Church here in Huntsville. The past three summers I have worked in the church office assisting in the areas of children’s ministry and administration. As of August 1 of this year, I am now working in the office as the Executive Administrative Assistant. I have three children; Christian, Jason and Brianna.

sandra@myrivertree.org

Sandra is married to Blake Rymer, our resident counselor, and they have been a part of Rivertree since 2001. They have three daughters: Parke, Erin and Meg and seven grandchildren.

Sandra is an Associate of Exchanged Life Ministries lay counselor and a Couple Communication, Theophostic Prayer and Dynamic Marriage facilitator. She loves to meet with women and see them gain truth and freedom in Christ.

kelly@myrivertree.org

I grew up in Orlando, Florida, where I met and married my husband Darren in 1993. Our children, Katherine and Patrick were born in Florida, but a job change moved us to Charlotte, North Carolina, where we spent more than 9 years. I began homeschooling in 2004. After moves to Ohio and Virginia, we finally landed in Owens Cross Roads in 2014 and began attending Rivertree. I was pleased to join the Rivertree staff in early 2017, just as my homeschool career was coming to an end with Patrick's graduation. We are happy and grateful to have both our children now studying at UAH.

I enjoy being part of the First Impressions team and can often be found serving coffee on Sunday mornings and dinner for the students on Wednesday evenings. I am thankful for the Women's Ministry at Rivertree and have been especially blessed by the stories of ladies willing to share how God has transformed their lives. I believe God created us for community, so I enjoy any opportunity to connect with others, especially if coffee is included!

jimmy@myrivertree.org

I was born in Anniston, Alabama in July 1948. Being an Army brat, we moved all over the US, finally landing in Huntsville in 1964. There I met Marcella at New Hope High School where we went to school. We were married in 1966, and we have one son who was born in 1968.

Marcella and I were in business for ourselves for 17 years before going to work for a church in Madison, Alabama. I was on staff there for over 10 years, before moving back to Owens Cross Roads. We began attending Rivertree in 2014, and I was hired as Facilities Director in 2015.