Riverwood Staff:
Pastor Keith is a graduate of University of Northwestern, St. Paul (formerly Northwestern College) with a B.A. in Christian Ministries, and he received his Master of Divinity Degree from North Park Seminary College in Chicago, IL. Before coming to Riverwood to be Senior Pastor in 2004, he served as a Pastor in Youth Ministries for 25 years at Covenant Churches in Brooklyn Park, Forest Lake and Maple Grove, Minnesota as well as in Grand Rapids, Michigan and in the Kansas City area. He resides in Rockford with his wife Amy and they have four children and six grandchildren. He loves riding his motorcycle (often with the “Fossil Apostles”), smoking ribs and other meats, and following most/all of the Minnesota sports teams. He is working on writing a book about the “Squares” – a concept he teaches often in messages at Riverwood. It is a way of considering how God uses circumstances in our lives and how that impacts our walk with God. Pastor Keith also has moonlighted as an adjunct professor in Christian Ministries at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and as the Cornerstone instructor at Solid Rock School of Discipleship at Lake Beauty Bible Camp. His life verse is 3 John:4 which says “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” This being closely followed by Galatians 5:6, Riverwood’s key verse, which says “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.”
Tami began volunteering in Children’s Ministry when she lived in Soldotna, Alaska at the age of 17. She has remained committed to serving in children’s ministry ever since. For the past 25 years she has taught and led children at the churches she has attended in both Alaska and Minnesota. God has given Tami a heart and desire to help children and youth navigate through this life by introducing them to a personal relationship with Jesus and by also helping equip them with the tools found in the Word of God, that will help anchor them through the storms of life. She believes with all of her heart that all people should be taught the infallible Word of God at a young age. Having the Word of God hidden in your heart during your formative years will absolutely, without a doubt steer you and guide you through all of your years on this earth. One of Tami’s favorite verses is Hebrews 4:16, “ So let us boldly approach God’s throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.” Tami lives her life believing that the “God kind of love”, never fails.
Miranda has been involved in youth ministry since she graduated high school in 2001. She has a passion for the next generation and for caring for those in need. This led her to getting a degree in Psychology and Christian Counseling. She spent time working at a youth homeless shelter before joining the Riverwood staff in November 2018. Here she splits her time between mentoring the next generation in their walks with God, and providing love and support to the congregation of Riverwood and their needs. Miranda lives in Rockford with her husband, Andy, and children, Andrew, Ainsley, Adalynn, Asher, and Averly. When she is not working, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, playing games, and making memories. Her favorite verse is II Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Leadership Board:
Jeremy has served on the leadership board since 2016 and has had multiple roles with the Imagine campaign and membership. One of his favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. When not serving at Riverwood, he enjoys spending time with his family and attending swimming, hockey, track and band events as well as enjoying local playgrounds. He and wife Jo Ann have three girls. Jeremy works as a marketing analyst in Medina.
Andrea has been privileged to serve on the leadership board as secretary since 2016. She also enjoys teaching Sunday School in the preschool room. One of her favorite verses is Philippians 1:27, which says “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. When she is not serving at Riverwood, she enjoys spending time with her family on their rural Delano hobby farm. She and husband Daryl have two emerging adult children. Andrea works as a paralegal in St. Louis Park.
Gayle lives in Rockford with her husband, Jeff, and their two boys, ages 16 and 17. She committed her life to the Lord when she was 15. She has been a member of Riverwood since 2000 and has participated in youth ministry, children’s ministry, worship ministry, and now works in the nursery. She enjoys her work as a hair stylist and likes to watercolor paint and travel. Her favorite scripture verse is Phillippians 1:6, Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Because of his challenges with his sight, his favorite verse is, Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” We became members of Riverwood 15 years ago. He says, “I believe Riverwood is not a building, it is a body of true believers. It’s not a business, it’s the bride of Christ, chosen by the Father. It’s not a corporation; it’s a congregation of Christ followers. It’s not a financial institution, it’s a family. It’s not led by CEOs, it’s led by shepherds. It’s not built by corporate executives; it’s built by Christ alone.”