Kate Anderson , Local Missions Director
volunteer staff
kanderson@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Her: Energetic, encouraging, fun-spirited, driven, devoted, active.

What She Has Earned: Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois; Masters of Business Administration, Portland State University.

What is Her Ministry Passion: Helping people to utilize their spiritual gifts through service.

What She Thrives On: Time with family, a busy schedule, cooking with friends; scuba diving with my husband.

Who She Hangs With: Rob, my wonderful husband of 10 years, and our four amazing children - Maggie, Noah, Jack and Faith.

What’s In Her iPod: Mark Shultz, David Gray, John Mayer, The BoDeans, U2, The Fray, Shahin and Sepehr, Cowboy Junkies, and lots of hymns.

Recent Books She Dug: Three Cups of Tea by John Mortenson, Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Running with the Giants by John Maxwell, and Endurance by Alfred Lansing.

What Are Her Life Scriptures: “Always be prepared . . . to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  I Peter 3:15; “Each one should use what ever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  I Peter 4:10

Cyndy Combs, Ministry Director
part-time staff
ccombs@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Her: Christ-follower, worshipper, committed to family, team-player, second fiddle, loves to laugh. 

What Her Ministry Passion Is: Seeing people grow to know and experience God's love, grace, and direction. Minding the gaps at River Valley to free up the rest of the staff to focus on their primary ministries. Assuring that our guests feel welcome and at home here at River Valley, and assisting them in getting connected to people and ministries of which they desiring to be a part.

What She Thrives On: Worship, relationships, laughter, stillness, friends, working in a team setting, nature/seasons, sunshine, evidences of God's activity, time with Rodney and family.

Who She Hangs Out With: Rodney--they've been married almost 20 years (He's an awesome husband and my best friend!), their two way-cool teenagers: Evan and Abby, and their youngest, Elise (who is also way-cool!). Oh! And their newest family member, Cooper, our busy, jumping dog...a Jack Russell terrier...who is too cute, but a handful at times!

What's In Her iPod: Switchfoot (still loving "The Beautiful Letdown" best), Reliant K, Chris Tomlin, Coldplay, The Fray, Lincoln Brewster, David Crowder, soundtrack from "Wicked", Enja, TobyMac.

Recent Books She Dug: "God Is Closer Than You Think" by John Ortberg, "The Shack" by William P. Young, "Bleu Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" Joanna Weaver.

What's Her Life Scripture: (at least for this season of my journey...) Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Rodney Combs, PhD, Senior Pastor
rcombs@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Him: Christ-follower, dream-builder, competitive, fun, a born introvert, excellent communicator, committed to his family.

What He Thinks About the Church: The church should be a safe zone and a power house, a place that exudes and builds love, laughter, and life. His driving vision is to develop a church that will reach as many people for Christ as quickly as possible and turn them into transformed lovers of Christ who change the world locally and globally.

Where He Is From: He moved her from Burleson (Fort Worth), Texas, but he's not a true Texan (his kids are; "If you weren't born here, you aren't one of us. ") He grew up in Springfield, Mo., where his mom and much of his extended family still live. He is a middle child, which may explain a lot.

What He Has Earned: He graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communications from Baylor University, a M.Div. B.L. and a Ph. D. (Major: New Testament; Minors: Preaching and Church Growth) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

What He Thrives On: He thrives on learning and competition and enjoys lots of sports including golf, running, skiing, tennis, and an occasional battle in ping pong. If he could do anything for you he would help you know Christ, discover the dream God has placed inside your heart, and assist and equip you to live it to the max.

Who He Hangs Out With: He is married to Cyndy and has three pretty swell kids: Evan (a junior), Abby (a freshman), Elise (a 2016 high school grad).

What's In His CD Player: He doesn't have an iPod and his kids won't share. He prefers variety, but likes mostly Christian pop. The current rotation includes Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, MercyMe, U2, Bebo Norman, Cold Play, Shane and Shane, Daughtry, and Todd Agnew. He loves artistry in music, but believes the lyrics provide the substance for worship and direction.

Recent Books He's Read: The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship, by Dallas Willard; Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, by N.T. Wright; Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, David Gregory; No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in the Church; by John Burke; The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations and They Like Jesus but Not the Church, by Dan Kimball; The Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach; Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking; Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime of Golf, by Harvey Penick; Searching for God Knows What, by Donald Miller; Glocalization: How Followers of Jesus Engage the New Flat Earth, by Bob Roberts.

What's His Life Verse: John 15:5 - [Jesus said] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. "

Dan Hinz, Youth Pastor
part-time staff
dhinz@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Him: Passionate, rebellious, laid-back, paradoxical

What His Ministry Passion Is: Bringing the kingdom to earth.

What He Thrives On: God. Life. Family. Friends. Teaching. Watersports.

Who He Hangs Out With: Friends scattered around the world (literally). Possibly you. And of course my wife, Natalie.

In His iPod: Martin Sexton, Jon Troast, Jack Johnson, and heaps more.

Recent Books He Dug: Adventures in Missing the Point by Campolo and McLaren, Divine Conspiracy by Willard; Sex God and Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, Irresistible Revolution by Claiborne, anything by Donald Miller, Brennan Manning, NT Wright, and heaps more.

What's His Life Scripture: I dig John 15, especially verse 4. But I think it's important to read the stuff I don't like and let it change me.

Rob Labak, Music Intern
volunteer staff
rlabak@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Him: Artistic, enjoys laughing until it hurts, passionate, caring, follicly challenged.

What His Ministry Passion Is: To see people really encounter God, and letting God take it from there.

What He Thrives On: Seeing people come together and things happening that are beyond them. Who He Hangs Out With: The family, Chuck (his guitar), close friends.

In His iPod: UNITED, The Wandering Sons, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, David Crowder, Cold Play, Passion, John Mayer, Xavier Rudd.

Recent Books He Dug: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, Emerging Worship by Dan Kimball

What's His Life Scripture: Ephesians 5:2 - "Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us."

Sue Williams, Small Group Director
volunteer staff
swilliams@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Her: People-person, relational, contemplative, loyal, hospitable, family-oriented, love to cook

What Her Ministry Passion Is: To connect people with who they are and what they were meant to do, with each other and God. Creating space for people to flourish.

What She Thrives On: Relationships and family. Sharing food with friends. Being a mom (soon to be grandma!). Worship.

Who She Hangs Out With: Her husband Dale and their three grown kids, Chad (and his wife Cara), Kari (and her husband Mike), and Brooke.

In Her iPod: Mat Kearney, Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Wicked Soundtrack

Recent Books She Dug: Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus, Creating Community by Andy Stanley, A Search to Belong by Joseph Myers, A Ragamuffin Gospel by Brendan Manning

What's Her Life Scripture: "Ephesians 3:16-18 - I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Eric Wright , Media Intern
volunteer staff
ewright@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to describe him: Creative, passionate, laid-back, early bird

What his ministry passion is: Showing Christ for who He truly is by encouraging unity of THE church, tearing down stereotypes and myths about the Christian faith, changing the world’s perception of music/art created by Christians.

What he thrives on: Discipline, structure, and routine; Christ’s teachings, time with his wife, listening to and creating music, wandering around Nashville, graphic design, quiet time with God

Who he hangs out with: hanging out with wife Karen for the past 8 years (5 years married), Sundays with parents and sisters, loves spending time with friends from small group, enjoys gathering up random friends and strangers to go to concerts

In his iPod: Jack Johnson, Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Mat Kearney, Jars of Clay, Nickel Creek, Shawn McDonald, Colbie Caillat, Paul Wright, Chris Tomlin, Clemency, Mars Ill, Josh Garrels, Jackson Waters, Heath McNease, Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Jon McLaughlin, Monk & Neagle, and much much more

Recent Books he dug: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Healthy Habits by David & Anne Frahm, Not Even a Hint by Joshua Harris, Be Intolerant by Ryan Dobson, The Coffeehouse Gospel by Matthew Paul Turner, Serve God, Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth

What’s his life scripture?: Matthew 10:32-39

Jen Wood, Children's Ministry Director
volunteer staff
jwood@rivervalleyrockford.org

Ways to Describe Her: Genuine, dedicated, centered, cook/driver/family organizer.

What Her Ministry Passion Is: Watching kids begin to realize just how much God really loves them and knowing that parents are able to drop off their kids for a fun hour and get recharged on Sunday mornings.

What She Thrives On: Watching the KidZone volunteers give so much to make Sunday mornings great for kids, really caring for them. Everyday routine (really love it ). Sunday night family time-Dinner in front of the TV laughing like crazy at Funniest Home Videos then crying like crazy at Extreme Makeover-Home Edition

Who She Hangs Out With: Love being married to Mark & mom to Garret (9), Gabrielle (7 going on 25) and Bella (4)

In Her iPod: Carrie Underwood, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, The Fray, Graham Colton, Ingrid Michaelson & Brad Paisley

Recent Books She Dug: God Whispers, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Spiderwick Chronicles(1-4), Between Georgia, Organic God

What's Her Life Scripture: Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God." Just the beginning of this verse is what pops into mind when I'm frustrated at trying to control life...