Bill Cropper, Lead Pastor
pastorbill@theuprisingchurch.org

Pastor Bill is in his 15th year as the Senior Pastor of the Uprising Church at St. Paul's in Hebron, MD. The ministry at the Uprising began in 1996 with a small 40-member congregation and has grown to between 600-700 people in 15 years. The Uprising is a growing, healthy church with powerful worship, challenging biblical teaching, and thriving children's, youth, college and family ministries along with outreach and feeding programs.

Pastor Bill is a graduate of Lee University with a BS in Biblical Education and a Course of Study Graduate Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He is a devoted family man, married to his wife Ruth for 19 years. They have 3 children: Rachel, age 18; Canaan, age 16; and Victoria, age 9.

Pastor Bill, known as Coach Bill in the Salisbury area, has coached:

• The 2010 MD State Champions Wicomico County Post 64 American Legion Baseball (31-9).
• The 2009 14U USSSA World Champion and #1 Nationally Ranked Diamond Dreams Travel Baseball. (50-4)
• The 2007 West Salisbury Little League All-Star Team that represented the Mid-Atlantic region in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
• 2004-2005 back-to-back  MD State Championship All-Star Teams

His passion for Christ and for baseball has created Man Up Ministries which includes youth baseball camps, frequent speaking engagements at various athletic events, and men's conferences that incorporate biblical principles and life lessons for youth and adult alike.

Marc Hannah, Associate Pastor
pastormarc@theuprisingchurch.org

Under the direction of the Lord, Marc and his wife Shannon began attending the Uprising at St. Paul’s in the summer of 2003. Little did they know that in just a few years, God would move Marc into a place of leadership, appointing him Assistant Pastor in the fall of 2005.

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD until the age of eighteen, Marc came to the Eastern Shore to obtain an education and play football at Salisbury University in 1992. An extremely talented athlete, he played the position of linebacker for 4 years and achieved the distinction of being named a Kodak All American. Marc graduated from SU with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Psychology. As a graduate student, coaching football for the University, Marc earned a Masters degree in Post-Secondary Education. He then became the Assistant Director of Housing at SU and worked there until the Lord called him to the Uprising at St. Paul’s.

It was also at Salisbury University that Marc met the love of his life, Jesus! He has been serving him faithfully since 1998. Marc began preaching and teaching about a year after becoming saved. He has served as the advisor for the SU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, originated and facilitated the staff bible study at SU, traveled and spoke for numerous churches and organizations, and currently facilitates the Young Adult Ministry, Friday Night Fire, at the Uprising at St. Paul’s.

A man who truly lives by the Word of God, Marc embodies what has become known as one of his many sayings: "Get Right, Stay Right!" (Just ask him if you want to know what that means!) Also a devoted family man, Marc and his wife Shannon have been married for twelve years, and currently reside in Hebron, MD with their son Jeremiah, age 7.

Erik Tabinowski, Associate Pastor
pastortab@theuprisingchurch.org

Drew Freyder, Youth Pastor
pastordrew@theuprisingchurch.org

Pastor Drew has been the Youth Pastor since October of 2007. He moved here from Household of Faith in Louisiana where he worked full-time for the church as head of media while volunteering and leading in the youth ministry for 6 years.

Pastor Drew is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and has also earned his associates degree in Christian Ministry and Theology.

Pastor Drew was in a touring band through the southeastern states before he encountered Jesus Christ and His redeeming grace. Since that Wednesday night on August 21, 2002 when he bowed his knee in a youth service, He has passionately pursued God and the charge to lead the next generation to know Jesus Christ.

Pastor Drew and Lauren moved to the eastern shore with there 1 month old daughter in 2007 to lead the youth at The Uprising!

Ruth Cropper, Director of Prayer and Women's Ministries
ruth@theuprisingchurch.org

Ruth Cropper was raised in a christian home with a godly heritage that she knows has been the foundation of her life. She attended Lee University where she graduated with a degree in English and where she met the man of her dreams; Bill Cropper. Married 20 years March 22, 2011. She has 3 children and will go on and on talking about them if you let her.

Her heart is for women to grow in the knowledge and love of God entering into the freedom and truth that was purchased for them on calvary. Her vision is to see prayer and passion grip the heart of a generation, thus changing the future from within.

Lauren Freyder, Director of Children's Ministires
lauren@theuprisingchurch.org

Teresa Richards, Office Administrator
teresa@theuprisingchurch.org

Teresa was born and raised in Salisbury MD, a graduate of Salisbury State College (now Salisbury University) majoring in Elementary Education. Married on May 29, 1982 to Charles (Chuck) Richards, making covenant before a God that she admits "neither of us really knew but whom was faithful to reveal his love to us through the years". They were blessed with a son, Andrew Charles, in June 1986--Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). She often proclaims "Oh, how I love him!". Married 18 wonderful years until Oct 2000 when Chuck received the end goal of his faith (1 Peter 1:9) crossing that chasm to reside with Jesus.

The Richards family started attending St Pauls in Oct 1991. Teresa was hired as Church Secretary in Jan 1997, just six months after the Croppers were called to Hebron. From the current office complex constructed 3 years ago, she says it's almost comical to remember the humble beginnings of the church office housed in half of the parsonage garage. Teresa was honored and God glorified in April 1999 after being nominated by Pastor Bill and recognized as Salisbury Secretary of the Year. Although the Staff has changed over the years, she has filled various roles yet remains primarily Office Administrator and most recently book keeper.

Over these past 2 decades as the congregation of St. Paul's/The Uprising has grown and changed she has witnessed many testimonies of individuals and families in their trials, failures, victories and faith. She’s still thanking God and counting it a privilege to assist this ministry team in its Kingdom pursuits and impact.

Mike Eusebio, Administrative Chair