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." 

Bio coming soon!

 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."

Bio coming soon!

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.  

 Andrea has been privileged to serve on the leadership board 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.  

 Ken and his wife Sharon have lived in Rockford since 1972 and have been attending Riverwood Covenant Church for the past five years. He is currently involved with the Energize ministry at Riverwood. He has served on three church deacon boards that included roles as secretary and treasurer. He also served as head chairman on a search committee for a Senior Pastor. Other prior church roles include working with youth ministries. From 1970 to 1976, Ken served in the Army Military Police. Ken and Sharon have been married 51 years and have two adult children, Rachelle and Jon, along with four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ken has worked in engineering and project management for over 50 years in the design and construction of industrial facilities in the USA and around the world. Ken loves doing life with family and friends, traveling, fishing, hunting, gardening, and designing and building things. One of Ken and Sharon's favorite scripture verses over the years is Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding Trusting in the Lord brings strength, peace, confidence, victory, joy and an eternal reward." 

 Steph has been attending Riverwood Covenant church for the past 6 years.  Over the years, she has worked with the youth through Sunday School and Elevate. Steph and her husband Dan are both educators. They have three boys and one girl, and Steph currently stays home with them.  She and her family enjoy hunting and boating. One of her favorite verses of the Bible is Colossians 3:23 "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you are working for the Lord, rather than men." She says, “I believe Riverwood is a body of believers that is composed of people wanting to sharpen one another to be more like Christ."  

 Gayle lives in Rockford with her husband, Jeff. They have two adult sons, Parker and Conner. Shortly after moving to Rockford in 2000, she and Jeff became members of Riverwood Covenant Church. She has served in the worship ministry, youth and children's ministry, and is now into her third year on the Leadership Board. She enjoys her work as a hair stylist and likes to watercolor paint and travel. Her favorite scripture verse is Philippians 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. 

 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." 

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.

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.”

  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.