Teaching Elder
Josh grew up in Riverbend Community Church from age to 7 to 21. He was saved, discipled, and called to serve the church under Riverbend’s ministry. He met his wife, Victoria, through a church-sponsored mission trip and they later were married in 2015. Josh and Victoria then moved out to Colorado Springs for about 4 years while Josh attended seminary at New Covenant School of Theology. While in Colorado, their first son, Grayson, was born. Grayson was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) and had two open heart surgeries during their time there. Grayson handled those surgeries well and despite the difficulties had an amazing, joyful personality. Josh received his Master of Divinity degree in 2018 and they were called back to ministry here at Riverbend in 2019.
Josh and Victoria’s second son, Wesley, was born in the middle of 2020 and he has been an incredible blessing as well to their family his quiet and sweet personality. Unexpectedly, Grayson became sick in late September of 2022 and entered the arms of Jesus on October 1, 2022. This was and is devastating, but God continues to provide comfort by His Word and His Spirit. Josh and Victoria often describe feeling like they have one foot in heaven and one foot on earth as they long to be with Jesus and see their son again, but know that they are called to be faithful to the Lord in their lives here. This has truly allowed them to live with this verse in mind – “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
From 2019 until early 2024, Josh served here as the Director of Young Family Ministries & VBS before being called to be the teaching elder. Josh is humbled and honored to be able to continue to serve this church in this capacity. He desires that Riverbend Community Church would be constantly shining the glories of Christ and His wonderful Gospel for the world to see both in what we preach and in the way we live.
Elder of Evangelism & Outreach
Bobby’s favorite ministry activity is evangelism and spending time with his wife, Heather, of 16 years and their four boys. He enjoys many aspects of ministry, from teaching, preaching, discipleship, counseling, foster/adoptive care, as well as outreach opportunities that involve surfing and coaching youth sports. Bobby earned a finance degree from Stetson University, a Masters in Accounting from the University of Virginia, and worked as a financial analyst and CPA for 10 years before responding to God’s call into the ministry. Bobby earned his Master's of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017 and was ordained as an elder at Riverbend in 2019.
Elder of Finance & Administration
Brian has served in various ministry positions throughout his life, including Teaching Pastor at a church in South Florida, church finance & business administrator, Sunday school teacher, and community group director. He also manages his own part-time law firm in Ormond Beach. Brian has served in the U.S. Army in the Military Police Corps at various locations around the world. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Andrea, have been blessed to serve in ministry together. They have three adult children (two are married) and one teenager.
Lay Elder
Gary was ordained an Elder at Riverbend on April 26, 2020 … Born in White Plains, New York, in 1947, he and his family moved to DeLeon Springs in 1952 … He graduated from DeLand High School in 1965, the same year he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout … He married the former Linda Gulick in 1969 … Gary earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1972 and served as an Air Force Reserve medic during 1966-72 … He professed Christ as His savior as an 11-year-old at DeLeon Spring Methodist Church … He taught school for 2.5 years and then began, with Linda, a 31-year career as a motel owner in Ormond Beach (now retired) … He had served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and in other ministry positions for 25 years in his previous church … His family joined Riverbend in 2000, and he has served as a Bible Fellowship Group teacher and Life Seminar teacher, as well as on the Riverbend Board of Directors for three years. He and Linda have two daughters (Elizabeth Pendry and Erica Baez) and three grandsons.
Elder of Education
In his 32nd year of ministry and 23rd year at Riverbend ... pastored Ormond-by-the Sea’s North Peninsula Baptist Church for 2.5 years prior to coming to Riverbend ... also served at Skycrest Baptist in Clearwater nearly four years, including a period as interim pastor ... has Master's of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary ... also an alum of Stetson University in DeLand ... serves as Headmaster at Riverbend Academy, the church's K3-12 school ... has served on Riverbend mission trips to Belarus, Russia, South Africa-Mozambique ... wife: Donna ... five children and five grandchilden.
Elder of Communications, Membership & Senior Adults
In his 31st year of ministry (30th at Riverbend) ... over the years has served Riverbend as Pastor of Evangelism, Pastor of Education, Pastor of Ministry Development ... has Master’s degree in mass communication from Arkansas State University and has done doctoral work in Biblical Studies at Master’s School of Divinity ... formerly: magazine editor with Southern Baptist Convention, newspaper sports editor, radio sports announcer, assistant athletic director & sports information director at Arkansas State ... Army veteran who served as officer in Vietnam war, earning Bronze Star ... has led six Riverbend mission trips: Honduras (five times) and Belarus ... wife: Pat ... two daughters (Amy Nielsen & Laura Johnsen) ... eight grandchildren.