Lauren Sonntag

CrossPoint Trussville

Lauren Sonntag

Associate Minister of Children

Lauren grew up in Roanoke, Alabama and graduated from Handley High School. She then moved to Birmingham where she began attending Samford University and obtained her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education.

During her junior year at Samford, she became CrossPoint’s Children’s Ministry Assistant where she served 2 years before beginning a full time teaching career. In that time, she became one of CrossPoint’s missionary partners and moved to Seoul, South Korea where she spent 2 years teaching at an international school. While there, she began working on her Master of Arts in Christian Education with a concentration in Children’s Ministry through Dallas Theological Seminary (Graduated in May 2020). God then called her to serve children and junior high students in Houston, Texas where she eventually met her husband, Michael.

Lauren has a passion for making the Bible understandable, exciting, and enjoyable for children of all ages. She loves people and enjoys building relationships with kids and their families over fun activities, coffee, sweet treats, or meals!

A few of her favorite things include binge watching TV shows, desserts, shopping, finding new restaurants, and exploring fun places!

Ryan Whitley

Ryan grew up in Bluff Park, Alabama, and is a proud 1980 graduate of the W.A. Berry High School – Go Bucs! He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After receiving a call to ministry in 1985, Ryan completed his Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1988) and his Doctor of Ministry from Beeson Divinity School (1996). Ryan and Vonda were married on February 8, 1986 at the First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove, Alabama. Vonda received her Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a dental hygienist for several years. After the birth of their first child, she became a stay-at-home mom. Ryan and Vonda have two children – Taylor and Kelsey. Taylor and his wife, Lydia, both serve on staff at the International Baptist Church of Stuttgart, Germany. Taylor and Lydia are the proud parents of Luke Elijah. Luke is Ryan and Vonda’s first grandchild. Kelsey is a graduate of Samford University, where she received both her Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Social Work. She is currently a Co-therapist for JBS Mental Health. Ryan serves as an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at the Birmingham extension. At Beeson Divinity School he is a mentor in the mentoring program and he also serves as a trustee on the Alumni Trustee Board. Ryan enjoys running, CrossFit (when his back is not ailing him), reading and international travel with his wife.

Brian Harris

Brian grew up in Vestavia Hills, Alabama and is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School (1993). After graduating from Vestavia, he enrolled at Samford University and graduated in 1997 with a B.S. in Education focusing on Church Recreation. Brian continued his education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated in 2001 with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education. As a child he always wanted to follow in in his fathers footsteps and become a Minister of Recreation. His dad was a Minister of Recreation for 40 plus years. It was between Brian’s junior and senior year of high school when the Lord put that calling on his life. Brian is married to Angie. They dated throughout college and married on May 30, 1998, one week after Angie graduated with a business degree from Samford. Angie is currently a stay at home mom after a 20 year career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Brian and Angie have two incredible kids that came into their family through the amazing gift of adoption. If you are reading this and considering adoption or know someone who is, please reach out to Brian or Angie. They would love to share their story. Kinley (born March 2006) is a student at Hewitt Trussville High School. She loves all things running but especially Cross Country, journaling and reading. Colton (born April 2009) is a student at Hewitt Trussville Middle School. He loves football, reading and anything on the water. Brian loves all sports but especially college football – Go Vols! His other favorite teams are the Atlanta Braves, San Antonio Spurs and the Pittsburg Steelers. In his spare time Brian loves playing disc golf, golf and spending time with his family. Brian joined the staff at CrossPoint in July of 2007 as our first Minister of Recreation. In July of 2023, Brian will be transitioning into a new role here at CrossPoint and become our Executive Pastor. As a child he always wanted to follow in in his fathers footsteps and become a Minister of Recreation. His dad was a Minister of Recreation for 40 plus years. It was between Brian’s junior and senior year of high school when the Lord put that calling on his life. Brian is married to Angie. They dated throughout college and married on May 30, 1998 one week after Angie graduated with a business degree from Samford. Angie is currently a stay at home mom after a 20 year career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Brian and Angie have two incredible kids that came into their family through the amazing gift of adoption. If you are reading this and considering adoption or know someone who is please reach out to Brian or Angie they would love to share their story. Kinley (born March 2006) loves soccer, cross-country running, journaling and reading. Colton (born April 2009) loves football, reading and anything on the water. Brian loves all sports but especially college football (Go Vols)! His other favorite teams are the Atlanta Braves, San Antonio Spurs and the Pittsburg Steelers. He loves playing golf and spending time with his family. Brian joined the staff at CrossPoint in July of 2007.

Buck Poole

Buck was born in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Clay-Chalkville High School in 2001. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2005 and a Master of Accountancy from Auburn University in 2006. After graduation, Buck worked for 11 years in public accounting before answering a call to ministry in 2017. He joined the CrossPoint staff in March of 2018 and received a Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham in 2020. Buck and April were married on June 26, 2010. April also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Auburn University. She spent 4 years in public accounting and 4 years in corporate accounting before staying home with their first child. While staying home with their children, April continues to practice as a CPA on a part-time basis. Buck and April have two children. Kate was born in May 2013 and Braden in September 2016. Kate loves to read and write, and her dad is trying to instill a love for basketball in her as well. Braden loves baseball and eating snacks! Buck, April, Kate and Braden have a rescue dog named Fairley “Bug” Poole. Buck has been involved in several ministries and civic organizations, including serving on the Regional Advisory Board for Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes, the Board of Directors for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and as a volunteer instructor for Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham. In his free time, Buck enjoys playing golf, watching sports and traveling. Buck and April were married on June 26, 2010. Buck and April have two children. Kate was born in May 2013 and Braden in September 2016. In recent years, Buck has been involved in several ministries and civic organizations, including serving on the Regional Advisory Board for Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes, the Board of Directors for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and as a volunteer instructor for Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham. In his free time, Buck enjoys playing golf, watching sports and traveling.