STAFF
Todd Petkau
LEAD PASTOR
Todd grew up in Regina, attended Capernwray, BC and graduated from Winnipeg Bible College. After youth pastoring for 8 years, Todd and Carolyn helped launch Riverwood in 1995. He is passionate about his marriage, family of three beautiful daughters, fixing up things people throw away and watching God restore lives as only God can!
Jennifer Haaksma
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Jennifer was thrilled to join our staff in 2020 after having called Riverwood home since 2001. She is energized by providing behind the scenes support so that our staff team can flourish as they carry out the work that God has called them to. Jennifer and her husband have two teenage boys. Away from work she enjoys baking, reading and spending time outdoors.
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Rhoda Neufeld
RECEPTIONIST
Rhoda and her husband Karl have been part of Riverwood since 2011. They have 3 sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and 5 beautiful grandchildren. Rhoda loves connecting with people and seeing how God is at work in the community and in our church.
(204)668-3181
Irene Derksen
FINANCES
Irene has been attending Riverwood for almost 8 years and joined the staff as bookkeeper 2 years ago. She also serves on the e-visuals team at the Warehouse. Irene is married to Rudy, they have 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 2 grandsons. In her spare time, Irene loves to quilt and spend time working in her yard during the summer.
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Stephanie Toews
CONTROLLER
Stephanie is the Controller of Riverwood Church Community and has experience in internal and public practice accounting. She gained her diploma from Red River College and her Bachelor of Commerce from U of M.
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ADMINISTRATION
Carolyn Petkau
CONGREGATIONAL
CARE PASTOR
Carolyn has been part of Riverwood since it’s beginning and joined the staff team in 2003. She has a degree from Winnipeg Bible College (now Providence College) and is passionate about pastoring people in faith, through hard times, and in marriage! She loves being married to Todd, and adores her 3 daughters and 3 sons-in-law.
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Dunstan Gomes
SMALL GROUP + DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR
Dunstan joined our team in 2021 after serving in different Pastoral capacities since 2003. He came across Riverwood Church Community online, fell in love with what God was doing and desired to be part of this community. The rest is the beginning of a new journey. Dunstan is passionate about helping people grow their faith in Jesus and build lifelong relationships in the body of Christ. He is married to Jessica, and together they have three incredible children.
(204)668-3181
Sue Courtney
CONNECTIONS + SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR
Sue began volunteering at Riverwood over 20 years ago by assisting Todd with service planning. As Connections Director Sue now facilitates the front line teams for weekend services, leads volunteer placement, oversees Thursday night small group networks and has recently added oversight of a Mentorship program. Outside of work she loves having time with family and friends.
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ADULT
MINISTRIES
Brittany Petkau
YOUTH + YOUNG ADULTS PASTOR
Brittany has been a part of Riverwood since it’s beginning in 1995. She has a Bachelor of Theology and is passionate about seeing young people grow head-over-heels in love with God and use their gifts to serve Him. Brittany loves biking, reading and anything that involves hanging out in the city.
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Jordan Bochinski
MIDDLE SCHOOL + SPORTS MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Jordan has attended Riverwood since 2016. He graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Communications. Jordan is passionate about meeting new people and building relationships! Him and his wife Camille are very competitive and love playing different sports together. Jordan is excited to continue to pursue God’s calling on his life!
(204)668-3181
YOUTH +
YOUNG ADULTS
Debbie Friesen
FACTORY DIRECTOR
Debbie along with her daughter started attending Riverwood in 2008 after returning from Uganda. She had been serving in Riverwood Kids for 10 years before joining on staff. She is passionate about building relationships with children and helping them see that they are loved by the Father who created them. She enjoys music, singing, and reading.
(204)668-3181
Lydia Brunelle
WAREHOUSE DIRECTOR
Lydia was born and raised in Southern California, but with some family in Winnipeg, she visited quite often. She moved to Winnipeg in 2022 when she joined the staff team here at Riverwood. She graduated from Life Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Ministry and Leadership. Lydia loves playing sports, playing board games, and going to the movies.
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RIVERWOOD
KIDS
Jon Courtney
COMMUNITY PASTOR
Jon has been part of Riverwood since it began. His wife Kelly and him have 4 children. He is driven by the idea that the local church should have a tangible and practical impact to the needs of the neighbourhood as we follow the way of Jesus with compassion, generosity, and the pursuit of justice.
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Julie Veenstra
RIVERWOOD HOUSE RECOVERY SUPPORT
Julie, her husband Josh and their two daughters, Calla and Abby, have been attending Riverwood since 2018. Julie began volunteering with Neighbourhood programming in 2019 and shortly thereafter, decided to return to university to obtain her Applied Counselling certificate so she could make an even bigger impact in the community. This eventually led to her joining the staff team in 2021. Julie is passionate about helping people recover from substance abuse and believes that there is hope for everyone to have a long, and meaningful life in recovery. Julie shares her love of God with everyone she encounters in her work and is excited to see where He leads her in her journey!
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Jen Gill
NEIGHBOURHOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jen has been working in the Elmwood Neighbourhood for the past 15 years. In her role as Neighbourhood Program Director she strives to create a safe space where all can experience support, love and acceptance.
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Emily Barnowich
NEIGHBOURHOOD PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Emily has been a part of the Riverwood community since she was three years old!
She received her Certificate of Child and Youth Care from Red River College in 2021.
She is passionate about showing Jesus to people by showing them support, love and compassion.
Emily is excited to continue building relationships with the people in our community, and looks forward to the new and good things that God has planned for our neighbourhood.
(204)668-3181
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Ben Neufeld
WORSHIP PASTOR
Ben joined the team in 2010 and has enjoyed creating music with the dozens of excellent musicians across Riverwood’s multiple locations. Ben and his wife, Ingrid, along with their five children enjoy biking, swimming, hiking, travelling, the outdoors, and all forms of shrubbery.
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Khel De Castro
ASSISTANT WORSHIP LEADER
Khel was born and raised in Winnipeg and attended Providence College. He worked as a youth pastor for 7 years serving the Filipino community in the city. He is also married and the father of two children. In his spare time loves to tinker with his radio controlled trucks
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Merci Cyifuzo
MUSIC COORDINATOR
AFRICAN WORHSIP COMMUNITY
Merci joined the Riverwood team in 2019. Over the years he has developed his passion for worship and music as a whole, learning along the way as he played and worshiped with different congregations across the city. Merci enjoys traveling with friends, spending time with his 7 nieces and nephews, and producing music for local artists of all genres while seeking an opportunity to minister through music.
(204)668-3181
WORSHIP
Imoleayo Toludare
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Imoleayo joined Riverwood in 2021. She is a creative, easygoing, and interesting graphics designer (Industrial Designer) with a Master's in Project Management. She is committed to working for God in the church and community, with a passion to help people, making them feel good about themselves, and discover and explore their God-given talents.
(204)668-3181
Jacob Braun
VIDEOGRAPHER + BROADCAST COORDINATOR
Jacob has been a part of Riverwood since 2018. He has involved himself in many of the opportunities to serve in Uprising middle school, the worship team, and now on staff. He loves learning new things and is always up for the challenge of a new skill. He enjoys playing drums, painting, and rock climbing in his downtime.
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Cayman Litkowich
TECH INTERN
Cayman has been attending Riverwood since 2014. He has served in multiple areas of the church, but found his passion working with the production team. Since 2019, he has been serving with e-visuals and lighting at the Factory and Warehouse and he is excited to be on staff using his knowledge and skills to create an amazing worship experience for the community. Cayman enjoys attending Uprising on Friday nights as well as spending time outdoors, swimming, traveling, and playing board games.
(204)668-3181
Rachel Braun
VIDEOGRAPHER
Rachel has been a part of Riverwood since 2018. After being involved in various areas of ministry, she is excited to finally join the staff team. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and playing guitar in her downtime.
(204)668-3181
PRODUCTION
SITE
PASTORS
Karl + Rhoda Neufeld
WAREHOUSE SITE PASTORS
Rhoda and Karl met at Columbia Bible Institute in Clearbrook, BC. They married after finishing Bible School, and have lived in Winnipeg since then, working, serving in church ministries, and have 3 sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law. and 5 wonderful grandchildren. They have been on staff as Warehouse site pastors since 2016.
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Brock + Lori Groening
FIREHALL SITE PASTORS
Brock and Lori have attended Riverwood Church since 2006. They were married in 2008 and have 3 precious children Bennett, Tenley, and Sadie. Brock works full-time as the Director of Facility Operations at Youth For Christ and Lori works part-time as an Ophthalmic Assistant.
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Richard Mufaridji
AFRICAN WORSHIP COMMUNITY
SITE PASTOR
Pastor Richard (Rick) is our Site Pastor for the African Worship Community. His life is dedicated to living by example and encouraging God's People to live up to their full potential in Jesus Christ. Pastor Rick and his wife Jeanne are the proud parents of three children. They are so happy to be part of the Riverwood church family!
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Carol Nyquest
CUSTODIAN
Carol has been volunteering at Riverwood since the very beginning - helping out at the food bank, at the second-hand store, folding bulletins and attending services. She's been on staff since 2010! She has a beautiful daughter and one son and two grandchildren. In her spare time she likes to go camping, walking, biking and helping others!
(204)668-3181
Mark Huska
CUSTODIAN
(204)668-3181