Serving the Lord through the gift music - does it get any better than that? Music is the universal language that stretches across all demographic boundaries. It reaches the soul in a way nothing else can. Since grade school many years ago, I realized that I had a unique gift and love for music. Playing the trumpet began my musical career over 45 years ago and being encouraged by my mom to sing in the church choir was the beginning for me vocally. Coming from a blue collar family who loved the Lord, and whose sole purpose was to serve the Lord in whatever capacity God had blessed, singing with SonRise is a natural answer. After coming into a personal relationship with God as my Lord and Savior, I wanted everyone I knew to experience the love of God as I had. Learning early on that whatever I did I couldn't "save" anyone, but it became apparent that I could, through music, touch others lives and help draw them closer to the Lord where He then could do His work. Wanting no personal gain or glory only to serve Him in a way that I could SonRise provided that opportunity. The human struggle of loving to sing and making beautiful harmony together seems selfish at times, and remembering the real reason we do it humbles me and holds my feet to the fire. Providing a place where God can work. That's why I do it. All praise and glory to Him who I will eternally serve. Does it get any better than that? 

Dave

(Bass)

In 1986, I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. To date, it was the hardest year of my life. He lifted me out of a sea of despair filled with a mother dying, a wife of 13 years leaving me with two kids to finish raising and the loss of a good job that I had had for 13 years. As I prayed on my knees and cried for relief when I didn’t think I could handle it, He literally lifted me. I rose to my feet. I was overwhelmed with a comfort I had never known. I knew at that moment, He would take care of the kids and me, and that everything would be fine. Shortly after my salvation my children Tom and Alicia were saved as a result of us getting involved at Church of the Cross-United Methodist Time passed, I healed, I met a wonderful Godly woman whose name is Dolly and has been my wife now for 18 years. She was nick-named appropriately when they called her Dolly as she really is a ‘doll’ and the nicest person I’ve ever met.  We share a great sixteen year old daughter who is saved and is a junior at Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, OH. Singing with SonRise or any other ministry I take part in comes from a heart that is chock full of gratitude for His saving grace and the many blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family. Praise His Holy Name!

Your Brother in Christ,

Rick Ryan

(BasS)

I have been very blessed to find a group of guys to call my friends, my brothers, and “SonRise.”  Being an integral part of the Church of the Cross staff as Music Director is an awesome responsibility.  Working with the great musicians of the church really helps me to see how music connects people with our Heavenly Father.  I only found out recently that while I conduct the choir on Sunday mornings and take part in the music, I am not truly able to worship God as deeply as I feel I need to. God put SonRise into my life to allow me to connect more deeply with Him and help to bring others into His presence.  Jesus is the reason we sing!  May this always be our mission! 

Rich Dubler

(Baritone)

I love being able to sing and share my faith through this ministry we call SonRise.  We have been there for each other through good times and some very tough times which is why I consider them my brothers.  Both my Dad & Mom were members of Barbershop choruses and quartets so music was always being sung at our house.  I started singing in church choirs when I was 10 and still sing with the choir today at our church.  I take this ministry that we have been blessed with very seriously but also have such a great time doing it.  I pray that you are blessed by our songs and are drawn closer to our Savior Jesus.   

Jerry Metz

(Second Tenor)

I have been going to Church of the Cross for 13 years now. The minute my wife and I walked through the doors, we knew this was where God wanted us. It wasn’t long before Rich asked me to sing in the choir. God certainly knew what he was doing because I fell in love with singing to God. It has always been my way of praising and worshiping him ever since. One day I suggested to these other men that we should try singing as a quartet. I didn’t get a real good response so I figured when it was time, God would work it out, and sure enough a few weeks later, they all asked when we were going to try it! We’ve had some rough starts and some ups and downs but we kept it always in the front that God would use us as he needed us and he has! As Jerry said we have been through some personal good and bad times with each other. I love them each as a dear friend and brother. May God always be first in our music and may we be willing to go where he leads.

Carl Warner

(First Tenor)