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 nine 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." 

 Geo has been active in student ministries since 2001. When committing her life to the Lord in her early 20's, she sought His direction in where to serve. He made it very clear that she belonged with the youth! Geo served as a volunteer in student ministries at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church and has been a part of Elevate Student Ministries here at Riverwood since 2015. She understands the importance of coming alongside students during these middle and high school years and is excited to share Jesus with the kids in her own community! Her favorite verse for ministry is 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Rachel has served on the Riverwood staff since 2014. She also serves as Ministry Consultant for Women Ministries of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She received her Ph.D. in Agricultural History and Rural Studies from Iowa State University in 2013 and spent her graduate school years as a college history instructor. She lives in Rockford, Minnesota and enjoys reading, writing, cooking, spending time with her husband Micah and corgis Waffles and Mocha, and singing with the Worship Team. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 150:6, which reads, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

 Andrea has been active in the Worship Ministry since 1998. She held several Worship Ministry positions at Plymouth Covenant Church including an Internship in Worship Arts, Apprenticeship in Worship Arts and finally as the Interim Worship Director. She came to Riverwood and has been serving as Worship Director since August of 2013. She and her husband Rory reside in Delano with their two children. Andrea loves Music (singing/writing/attending concerts) and spending her time with family and friends. Andrea's life verse is Galatians 2:20 which says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 

 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.  

Jim and his wife Tina have been living in the Delano area since 1999. They have been attending Riverwood for approximately 9 years. They have 3 children and 5 Grandchildren.

Jim has been doing Ushering for the last year. 

One of Jim’s favorite verses is from Psalm 46 (Psalm 46:10):

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth”

In their free time Jim and Tina like to travel, work their garden and enjoy being with their family.

  Elaine, with her husband Don, of 44 years, moved to Maple Grove four years ago and 

began attending Riverwood. During this time, we have made friends with many wonderful 

people in the church body. They have two grown children, Brandon, and Holly, 

and six grands… so far! 

Elaine enjoys time at the family farm, gardening, being with family, neighbors 

and friends, and her work in property management/development. 

Elaine has known Christ as her Lord and Savior for many years and was raised in a 

Christian family. She currently serves in Women’s Ministry, as a Greeter, 

and with the Adult Grow Ministry. 

One of Elaine’s favorite Bible verses is, 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to 

everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter3:15.

  Lou Ann and her husband Rick have lived in Rockford since 1997. They have one, beautiful grown daughter, Emily, who is married to their wonderful son-in-law Alex. They have been attending Riverwood since the early 2000s. Over the years at Riverwood Lou Ann has enjoyed serving in many different ministries. She enjoys being around people and has a passion to help others with whatever she is able to. One of her favorite things to do is to make people happy with food from her kitchen, whether it’s a sweet treat or a savory something. She thinks “life is better with good food!”  Lou Ann has so appreciated the community at Riverwood paired with the wonderful teaching of PK. She is thankful for all the encouragement to strengthen her relationship with the Lord and is blessed to be surrounded by wonderful Godly life friends. Her life verse is Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

 Rick moved from Rockford, IL to Rockford, MN in 1992. He and his wife Dara have been attending Riverwood since 2004. They have two adult sons, Jordan and Jeremy, and a daughter-in-law, Jay. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, gardening, and cooking. He currently serves in the Ushering, Greeting, Prayer, and Grounds ministries. In the past, Rick has served on leadership boards for both RiverWorks and Riverwood. Rick served on the Riverwood Building Committee, which helped design the current church building. One of Rick's favorite Bible verses is Joshua 24:15, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." 

Jay and his wife Amy have been attending Riverwood since 2013 and became members of the church in 2015. They have been blessed with three beautiful children, all of whom have been baptized by Pastor Keith. Together, the Nelson family enjoys camping, hunting, bike rides, church events, community events, and being outdoors. 

Jay has always had a passion for helping others, whether mowing a neighbor’s lawn because they will be out of town, or visiting a family member who is emotionally struggling and just needs someone to talk to. Jay has a desire to make connections with people young and old, which fueled his enthusiasm in becoming a teacher and coach. Jay loves learning new things, and is especially interested in anything history related. He is excited to help teach and guide his children while they grow in their relationship with Jesus. One of Jay’s favorite Bible verses is Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

    Jay & Wife Tracy, with family have been Riverwood members for over 20 years and

active in various church ministries over the years.

Tracy & Jay love to travel & find new adventures together.

Verse: “For I know the plan I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 28:11

Verse: For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

  I have been attending Riverwood for about 10 years and have helped in the coffee shop, ushering, the  Women's Ministry, and financial secretary.  Before retirement, I worked as a legal administrative assistant in the Wright County Attorney's Office.  I have been blessed with my family of 3 children, their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  One of my favorite passages is Psalm 103:1-5:

  Praise the Lord, O my soul all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. 

    Our family began a ending Riverwood in 2014. I am a member of the Worship Team, and previously served Riverwood in Children’s  Ministries as a Sunday School teacher.  My wife Andrea and I have two young adult children, Ross and Elena. I have a law practice in downtown Delano, and a play therapy practice, also in downtown Delano.  In my spare time, I enjoy the serenity of tending to horse fencing and managing pastures at our home in rural Delano.  My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.