Ukraine Refugee Relief Initiative -
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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Jacob Braun
RECEPTIONIST + 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 at reception. 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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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 lives on a small acreage with her husband and three kids north of Winnipeg. Stephanie and her family have called Riverwood home for the past six years and loves the community it brings! She has her Bachelor of Commerce from U of M and worked in a public practice accounting firm until August 2016.
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ADMINISTRATION
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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 2 son-in-laws.
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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!
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YOUTH +
YOUNG ADULTS
Debbie Friesen
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR + FACTORY COORDINATOR
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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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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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.
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Jen Gill
NEIGHBOURHOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jen has been working in the Elmwood community as the Refuge Program Director for the past 10 years. Jen obtained her counselling diploma in 2003 and continues her studies at University of Manitoba. The Refuge strives to create a safe space where women can be supported and experience unconditional love.
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Julie Veenstra
COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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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
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WORSHIP
Joel Hamm
DIRECTOR OF IT + TECHNOLOGY
Joel grew up in Winnipeg and specifically in Elmwood where his parents still reside. He has a love for this neighbourhood and the people in it. Joel also has a passion for music and technology and is fortunate enough to be able to do what he loves working for Riverwood. Joel is happily married and him and his wife Andrea have two kids.
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Kirsten Brenner
VIDEOGRAPHER
Kirsten has been a part of the Riverwood Community since 2016. She graduated from The University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in Film, and Rhetoric and Communications. She likes coffee, plants, and all things outdoors.
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Imoleayo Toludare
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Imoleayo joined Riverwood Community 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.
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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 and 5 wonderful grandchildren.The last 4 years they’ve been on staff part time as site pastors at the Warehouse.
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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(7) Tenley(5) Sadie(2). 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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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 proud parents of their three children; Glenn David and Daniella. 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!
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Mark Huska
CUSTODIAN
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Krissy McKay
CUSTODIAN
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