Alan Cross, Senior Pastor - Alan was called to be our Senior Pastor on September 11, 2005. Prior to that, he had served at Gateway Baptist Church as Associate Pastor of Worship and Ministries since January, 2000. Alan is a graduate of Mississippi State University and Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. Alan loves to read just about anything, but especially devotional writings, theology, history, social and cultural writings and economics. He and his wife, Erika Petty Cross, are the proud parents of four children. Check out his personal blog at downshoredrift.com.
C.J. Falcione, Associate Pastor -C.J. was called to be our Associate Pastor on January 8, 2012. He has been a part of our Gateway family for 5 years, serving on our Pastoral Leadership Team as an Elder for the past 2 years. C.J. is a graduate of Auburn University-Montgomery. After graduation, the Lord called him to the mission field to serve with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in the early to mid-90′s. In those 5 years, the Lord brought C.J. his precious wife Nikki, and He placed in them a long-term vision for ministry. They returned to Montgomery in the fall of 1997, and over the years he has worked in the marketplace, was a principal of a school and the pastor of a 3 year church-plant in Montgomery. C.J. loves anything sports, quality time with family and friends, and any opportunity to laugh. He and Nikki are the proud parents of 3 children.
Drew Burton, Student Ministries Pastor – Drew has been a part of the Gateway staff since January, 2003. He ministers with Junior High, Senior High, and College age students and their families. Drew has served in various ministry capacities in Alabama, Georgia and Florida since 1993. He is a graduate of Auburn University, Montgomery and has a degree in Business Administration and Finance. In addition to his ministry at Gateway, Drew works with Legacy Advisors, Inc., a “Values Based” financial planning firm. Drew and his wife, Paige, have three children.
Donna Spivey, Administrative Assistant – Donna has served as Gateway’s Administrative Assistant since 1998. She assists the Pastoral staff with various duties and handles the day-to-day management of our office as well as contributions. Donna and her husband, Glen, have been actively involved in ministry at Gateway since its conception. She loves to read and minister to her family and friends. She is the mother of two sons, two grandsons, and one grandaughter.
Laura Summerford, Ministry Assistant and Preschool Coordinator – Laura has served as Gateway Preschool Coordinator for several years and moved into the position of Ministry Assistant in June, 2011. Laura handles our weekly publications, ordering of all office supplies, keeping our database current, maintaining current class rolls, preparing weekly notes to our leadership, maintaining our church calendar, and preparing all necessary items for our weekly services. She also oversees all aspects of our Preschool ministry. Laura is a member of Gateway and mother to three children.
Chad Smith, Worship Leader – Chad has been leading our Praise Team in worship since 2006. He selects the music each week and rehearses with the Praise Team during the week and on Sunday morning. In addition to his ministry at Gateway, Chad teaches high school science. He is an avid hunter and also helps coach a high school baseball team.
John Wible, Gateway Academy Administrator -John graduated from Marion Military Institute, the University of Montevallo and received a law degree from the University of Alabama. He served as a lawyer for the Alabama Department of Public Health for 37 years before retiring as General Counsel in June of 2011.
He is a charter member of Gateway and has served as Music Director and Sunday School Teacher. He was currently serves as Worship Coordinator, Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher and volunteers his time on the church staff. He is active in coordination with the Latino and Korean churches that partner with Gateway. He and his wife, Susan, have one daughter and one grandaughter.
