Ben church

Senior Pastor

Ben was raised in an Army family and moved often during his childhood. He lived most of his teenage years in the Ozarks of south-central Missouri, where he met Christ at age 16. He went to college at Truman State in northern Missouri, where he married the love of his life, Kim. Sensing a call to ministry through a college ministry there, he and Kim moved to St. Louis to study at Covenant Seminary. As he served and worshiped with African refugees in St. Louis, the Lord called Ben and family (now with two young boys) to Uganda as missionaries. They moved to the field in 2013, and Ben served in various capacities before planting and pastoring Christ Our Refuge Church in southern Kampala for seven years. The Lord called the Church family back to the U.S. in 2025 (now with five amazing kids: Asher, Elias, Eva, Ames and Gabe). Crosswater called Ben to serve as pastor in April of 2026. He feels excited and greatly privileged to minister the gospel among God’s people here. Ben enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, hiking and playing tennis.

Ruffin Alphin

Interim Teaching Pastor

Ruffin served as the Head Pastor at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church until he retired in 2022. He has graciously served as the interim teaching pastor at Crosswater until the new senior pastor was installed. His experience and gifts are greatly appreciated.

David Dickson

Interim Managing Pastor / Pastor Emeritus

David was a co-founding pastor of Crosswater Presbyterian Church until his retirement in 2021. Since then, he and his wife, Betsy, have remained as active, involved members of Crosswater and have continued to build up the body of Christ. He has graciously accepted the position of Interim Managing Pastor as we search for a permanent Head Pastor

Peter Nystrom

Church Administrator