Jennifer Haaksma

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

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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.

Rhoda Neufeld

RECEPTIONIST

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Irene Derksen

FINANCES

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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.

Stephanie Toews

CONTROLLER

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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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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 2 son-in-laws. 

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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.  

YOUTH + YOUNG ADULTS PASTOR

MIDDLE SCHOOL + SPORTS MINISTRY DIRECTOR

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.

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(204)668-3181

debbie@riverwood.cc

Olivia Bahizi

AFRICAN WORSHIP COMMUNITY

KIDS COORDINATOR

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(204)668-3181

olivia@riverwood.cc

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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(204)668-3181 x209

lydia@riverwood.cc

Lisa Hildebrand

FIREHALL KIDS COORDINATOR

Lisa has been attending Riverwood together with her husband since 2011. They loved the community and soon got involved in various aspects of the church. After starting to attend the Firehall in 2018, Lisa and Darren's family grew to include two beautiful children. Lisa joined the Riverwood Kids team in 2019, prior to that she worked as a teacher at Calvin Christian Collegiate. Lisa continues to teach music classes out of her home. She has a passion for helping children learn to love God, love the Bible, and know Truth.

(204)668-3181

lisa@riverwood.cc

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.

jon@riverwood.cc

Emily Barnowich

REFUGE 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.

emily@riverwood.cc

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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jen@riverwood.cc

Krissy McKay

GARAGE PROGRAM FACILITATOR/CUSTODIAN

Krissy has been attending Riverwood for many years and joined the staff team in 2017. She and her husband have 7 children and wouldn't exchange them for the world! In her free time Krissy enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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krissy@riverwood.cc

Julie Veenstra

COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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julie@riverwood.cc

WORSHIP PASTOR

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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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ASSISTANT WORSHIP LEADER

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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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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.

Angelina Gomes

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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angelina@riverwood.cc

Imoleayo Toludare

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Imoleayo joined Riverwood in 2021. She is a creative easy going and interesting graphics designer (Industrial Designer) with a masters in Project Management. She is committed to working for God in the church and community, with a passion to help people, make them feel good about themselves, discovering and exploring their God given talents.

imoleayo@riverwood.cc

Jacob Braun

VIDEOGRAPHER

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.

jacob@riverwood.cc

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.

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rachel@riverwood.cc

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 and 5 wonderful grandchildren.The last 4 years they’ve been on staff part time as site pastors at the Warehouse.

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 Soccer Program Director at Youth For Christ and Lori works part time as an Ophthalmic Assistant.

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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!

CUSTODIAN

CUSTODIAN