STAFF

Joey Kalan

Senior Pastor

Joey grew up in Owatonna, a small town in southern Minnesota. He went to college at Truman State University, in northern Missouri, before finding his way back to Minnesota to intern at Hope Community Church in Minneapolis. He is passionate about seeing people of all ages begin to journey with Christ, grow in their spiritual maturity, and then help others to know Christ.

Joey enjoys spending time with his wife, Kaitlin, hiking or camping in the summer, and playing board games or watching movies in the winter. He also enjoys a good conversation, especially when it involves sports, politics, or theology.

Interesting Facts: Joey played goalie for his high school hockey team, he is a music snob and he knows it (even has a record player to prove it), he has never lost a game of checkers (except for that one time that didn't count), and he always requests a birthday pie because he doesn't like cake.

Nancy Nelson

Care Coordinator

nancy@crcff.com

Nancy is the wife to Dan and mom to Libby. She enjoys spending time with friends and family whenever possible. She has a passion for helping the church to get outside the "church walls" and into the community. Her role as Care Coordinator is a perfect match allows her numerous opportunities to do just that.

Skiing in the winter and gardening in the summer. Nancy is well-traveled and enjoys any opportunity for a road-trip. The farther the better! She also has a heart for teaching women to know and understand God's Word and live it out in their lives.

Ben Ellison

Associate Pastor of Discipleship

ben@crcff.com

Ben grew up in northern New Jersey, about an hour west of New York City. He moved to Fergus Falls as a dorm student at Hillcrest Academy his senior year of high school. From there, he attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia to study Christian Leadership and Church Ministries. Upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he went right into seminary and completed his Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling by the end of 2020.

Ben and Reese got married in May of 2019 and moved back to Fergus Falls; Ben finishing what was left of his seminary degree online. They have a yellow Labrador named Oliver and enjoy things like exercising, cooking, traveling and coaching different youth sports here in Fergus Falls.

Ben is passionate about helping others find Jesus and building meaningful relationships. He has an open-door policy and would love to get to know just about anyone. If you see him in his office, stop in and say hello!

Trisha Grove

Children's Ministry Director

trisha@crcff.com

Trisha and her family joined CrossRoads Church in 2021 and immediately felt at home. In March, Trisha felt the leading to inquire about the Director of Children's Ministry position, which led her to accept the position after careful prayer and conversation with Pastor Joey, the overseer team and of course her husband.

Trisha holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelors degree in Special Education. She enjoys pointing kids to Jesus and encouraging them to seek after Him first.

Trisha and her husband Josh live in Fergus Falls and are raising four boys with their 5th child joining the family sometime in January. In her spare time, Trisha enjoys camping with her family, reading historical fiction and drinking really good coffee.

Dakota Collison Lang

Custodian

Dakota grew up in Fargo, and lived there until he completed the sixth grade. He attended Nativity Elementary School and Carl Ben Eielson Middle School. He and his family then moved to Pelican Rapids where he received his high school diploma.

Dakota grew up with his mother and six siblings along with family pets throughout his childhood. He has a cat named Chief that he loves very much. Dakota enjoys spending time with family and friends. His favorite summer activities include going to the lake, where he enjoys riding jet ski. His favorite winter activity is skiing; he likes going to Andes Tower Hills.

Dakota is grateful for the opportunity to serve at CrossRoads Church and looks forward to meeting new people.

Lisa Ripley

Treasurer

lisa@crcff.com

Lisa and her family are long-time members of CrossRoads Church. She is so thankful for the many friends and memories made through the years as a part of this church family.

She and her husband, Steve, have two adult daughters (Emma and Claire), and a wonderful son-in-law (Austin). Lisa enjoys baking, knitting, sewing, wood working, and organizing just about anything. As a couple, she and Steve enjoy being with family and friends, playing board games, gardening, and being at the lake.

Morgan Kempenich

Office Admin

office@crcff.com

Morgan and her husband moved to Fergus Falls in October 2022. She studied Liturgical Music/Theology at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University. In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano, spending time with friends and family, and cuddling with her pets.