Leadership
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Rivers Rich
Youth and Family Minister
Rivers Rich was raised in Boerne, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian University, where he earned a degree in Christian Ministry with a minor in Youth Ministry. Rivers began his ministry in 2024 in Hobbs, New Mexico, serving as the Youth Minister at Taylor Street Church of Christ. In 2026, Rivers was called to Artesia, New Mexico, to serve as the Youth and Family Minister at Hermosa Church of Christ. He has been given the privilege to teach youth and also preach in many settings.
Rivers has a passion for teaching young people and helping them develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He believes it is important for each student to make their faith their own so that they leave high school with a strong, lasting foundation. Proverbs 22:6 serves as a guiding principle in his ministry: “Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Rivers married his wife, Abby, on May 27, 2024. Together, they are grateful for the opportunity to serve and work with young people. They have a son, Shepherd, and a dog, Tuxedo.
A few of his favorite scriptures are: John 10:11, Romans 8:15, Psalm 150
Rivers has a passion for teaching young people and helping them develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He believes it is important for each student to make their faith their own so that they leave high school with a strong, lasting foundation. Proverbs 22:6 serves as a guiding principle in his ministry: “Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Rivers married his wife, Abby, on May 27, 2024. Together, they are grateful for the opportunity to serve and work with young people. They have a son, Shepherd, and a dog, Tuxedo.
A few of his favorite scriptures are: John 10:11, Romans 8:15, Psalm 150
Abby Rich
Childrens Education Minister
Abby Rich grew up in Mansfield, Texas. She attended Lubbock Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Children’s Ministry with a minor in Digital Media Arts. Abby has experience teaching both elementary and middle school students, giving her a strong foundation for connecting with children at different stages of learning and development.
Since 2026, Abby has served as the Children’s Education Minister. She is passionate about helping children grow in their understanding of God’s Word and creating environments where they feel known, supported, and encouraged in their faith. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Abby believes the church is not simply a building, but the people who make up the Body of Christ. She is passionate about families and the church coming alongside one another to help raise children in the faith, giving them a strong biblical foundation and encouraging them to develop a faith that becomes their own.
Abby married her husband, Rivers, on May 27, 2024. Together, they share a heart for ministry and serving the church. They have a son, Shepherd, and are grateful for the opportunity to invest in children and families as they build a lifelong faith rooted in Christ.
Since 2026, Abby has served as the Children’s Education Minister. She is passionate about helping children grow in their understanding of God’s Word and creating environments where they feel known, supported, and encouraged in their faith. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Abby believes the church is not simply a building, but the people who make up the Body of Christ. She is passionate about families and the church coming alongside one another to help raise children in the faith, giving them a strong biblical foundation and encouraging them to develop a faith that becomes their own.
Abby married her husband, Rivers, on May 27, 2024. Together, they share a heart for ministry and serving the church. They have a son, Shepherd, and are grateful for the opportunity to invest in children and families as they build a lifelong faith rooted in Christ.
Darrell Brown
Darrell Brown was born at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas in 1956. He grew up in New Mexico and has lived in several locations all across the state. “If you divide New Mexico into four quarters, I have lived in each quarter for some part of my life,” he stated. Darrell’s granddad, J. C. Brown set an example of Christian living and was a mentor to many. “Jakey was widely known for his honesty and integrity in business dealings and how he treated people in all areas of life. For me, he set the standard as an elder in the church and as a businessman in the ranching industry.”
Darrell attended New Mexico State University, because it promised the best education for his field of work. He received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and his Masters in Agricultural Business. He currently works as an assistant ranch manager in Pinon for John A. Yates. Darrell is very satisfied with his career and feels that God has led him to understand and appreciate His creation and has equipped him with the knowledge of caring for and managing the land.
Darrell has been married to Michelle for 44 years. They have 3 children: Danny, Lynda, and David and 10 grandchildren. Darrell believes that one of his greatest
accomplishments was raising his children to know God and to have faith in Him. Darrell
defines family as a group of loving people who are related by the blood of Christ and have the desire to achieve the ultimate goal of heaven. During the progression of his life, Darrell has learned to strive for excellence rather than perfection.
Only Christ is Perfect!
Darrell has attended Hermosa Church of Christ for 37 years and has been an elder for
the last 19 years. His purpose in life is to teach others, both through Bible studies and
through a living example, leading others to truly know Christ. This is achieved through constant struggle and an on-going study of God’s Word.
Favorite Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6: 4–9 and Joshua 24:14-15
Darrell attended New Mexico State University, because it promised the best education for his field of work. He received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and his Masters in Agricultural Business. He currently works as an assistant ranch manager in Pinon for John A. Yates. Darrell is very satisfied with his career and feels that God has led him to understand and appreciate His creation and has equipped him with the knowledge of caring for and managing the land.
Darrell has been married to Michelle for 44 years. They have 3 children: Danny, Lynda, and David and 10 grandchildren. Darrell believes that one of his greatest
accomplishments was raising his children to know God and to have faith in Him. Darrell
defines family as a group of loving people who are related by the blood of Christ and have the desire to achieve the ultimate goal of heaven. During the progression of his life, Darrell has learned to strive for excellence rather than perfection.
Only Christ is Perfect!
Darrell has attended Hermosa Church of Christ for 37 years and has been an elder for
the last 19 years. His purpose in life is to teach others, both through Bible studies and
through a living example, leading others to truly know Christ. This is achieved through constant struggle and an on-going study of God’s Word.
Favorite Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6: 4–9 and Joshua 24:14-15
Ken Murphy
Ken and his wife, Amy, have been blessed to worship with the Hermosa family since
1993. Ken and Amy were married in 1992 and both graduated from Lubbock
Christian University in 1993. Ken has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has
worked at Deans, Inc. since 1993, where he currently serves as the CFO. Ken and
Amy have a teenage daughter, Amanda, who is active and involved with the
Hermosa youth group. Ken served for 10 years as a deacon and has served as an
elder since 2022. Two of his favorite verses are Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Peter 5:6-11.
1993. Ken and Amy were married in 1992 and both graduated from Lubbock
Christian University in 1993. Ken has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has
worked at Deans, Inc. since 1993, where he currently serves as the CFO. Ken and
Amy have a teenage daughter, Amanda, who is active and involved with the
Hermosa youth group. Ken served for 10 years as a deacon and has served as an
elder since 2022. Two of his favorite verses are Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Peter 5:6-11.
Mike Prude
Mike Prude was born January 31, 1955 in Artesia, NM. He graduated from Artesia High School in 1973 and from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1978. He returned home to the family ranch and eventually worked as a General Manager/Vice President of a corporation for 28 years. He has since retired, got bored, and started his own business.
Mike and Jessica were married on May 24, 1980. They are proud parents of 3 children – Ty, Mandy & Andy, along with 3 handsome and extremely talented grandsons-Peter, Luke, & Miles. They placed membership at Hermosa Church in 2001.
Mike’s favorite song is “Where He Leads Me I Will follow” because God has placed him not only at Hermosa as an elder but most of all, as a follower of Him. Hebrews 11:1 tells him of that faith that helps him walk with God each and every day.
Mike and Jessica were married on May 24, 1980. They are proud parents of 3 children – Ty, Mandy & Andy, along with 3 handsome and extremely talented grandsons-Peter, Luke, & Miles. They placed membership at Hermosa Church in 2001.
Mike’s favorite song is “Where He Leads Me I Will follow” because God has placed him not only at Hermosa as an elder but most of all, as a follower of Him. Hebrews 11:1 tells him of that faith that helps him walk with God each and every day.
Doug Rodney
Doug and his wife, Rhonda, have been members at Hermosa since moving to Artesia in 1992 from Yuma, Arizona. Doug is retired from the U.S. Border Patrol. He has a background in science with a B.S. degree in Biology (1977) from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Doug escaped the snare of atheism and became a Christian in 1975. He has served as an elder at the Hermosa Church for over 18 years and is devoted to studying and teaching the Bible. Doug and Rhonda have been married for 46 years. They have 4 grown children and 5 grandchildren.
Jon Ross
Jon and his wife, Tammy, have been members at Hermosa since 2001.
They met at Pepperdine University where Jon earned degrees in Bible
and Radio Broadcasting. Jon served as a deacon for over twenty years
and began serving as an elder in 2022. He enjoys singing and helping
lead the worship at Hermosa. One of his favorite scriptures is
Philippians 2: 1-11. Jon and Tammy were married in May of 1992
and have three grown children.
They met at Pepperdine University where Jon earned degrees in Bible
and Radio Broadcasting. Jon served as a deacon for over twenty years
and began serving as an elder in 2022. He enjoys singing and helping
lead the worship at Hermosa. One of his favorite scriptures is
Philippians 2: 1-11. Jon and Tammy were married in May of 1992
and have three grown children.