Ben Cross

Ben grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in western Montana. He met his wife, Mary, while attending Bible College. In May, they celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. They have four adult children—three daughters, Jenae, Michelle, and Sara and a son, Jonathan, twelve grandchildren, and two foster daughters.

Ben recently retired after serving as a lead pastor for 44 years, in both small and large churches in Montana, Washington and Oregon. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he received awards in preaching, Christian service, and academic achievement, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

As a hobby, Ben enjoys landscape photography and working as a handyman around the house and for his three daughters. Mary also enjoys photography and painting. In retirement, besides investing in their grandchildren’s lives, Ben and Mary hope to assist their son, Jonathan and his family, with their missionary work in Kenya and South Sudan.