Who We Are

Our Team

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Teresa and I have been married twenty years. We are honored to serve God in Orange County together with our amazing team of pastors, directors and leaders.

My personal mission statement is to live as a lover, fighter, friend of God who advances the Kingdom of God on earth through transformational encounter.

I am 43 years old. My wife of over twenty years, Teresa and I have three children, Joshua (20), Christiana (18) and Travis (10). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Biola University and a Masters of Divinity Degree from Talbot School of Theology.

We are part of The Association of Vineyard Churches and Global Legacy in Redding, CA.

Teresa Crabbe is the Co-Pastor at The River.

In addition to being a busy mom of three, she has a passion to see the next gereration of children grow into mighty men and women of God.

Teresa is passionate about training leaders and empowering them to serve Him.

Don Wheeler has a passion for people and a gift for counseling. He oversees the pastoral counseling and men's ministry at The River.

Donna is gold! She has served as part of the Vineyard team since 1996. Donna oversees at team who help others at The River and outside River walls. Benevolence at The River includes a storehouse on-site & off-site, putting loving hands of faith to work assisting those in need.

John and Lori Courdy have been married over 35 years. They have four grown children living in Orange County. They have been involved in praying, counseling, and inner healing ministries for over 30 years.

They oversee the SOZO ministry in Orange County.

John and Lori currently lead the ministry team at The River, which insures good, deep, and safe prayer for anyone on Sunday mornings and nights.

They are also in charge of an inner healing and counseling ministry called Fresh Start. They have a passion to see believers come into joyful maturity and walking into the destiny God has called them to.

Barb is our Administrator and creative arts pastor.

Ken & Barb were part of the original team who prayed over the formation of The River in 2001 and helped plant it in 2002.

They served at Laguna Church 1982-1985 as children's pastors & worship leader. From 1986 - 2001 they served at Newport Vineyard as deacons. Barb also worked there as administrative staff for The Word & The Spirit Radio Ministry. Ken & Barb have have been married for more than 30 years and have 5 children, Shanna, Jesse, Brandon, Jonathon, Dyllon and three grandchildren.

Ken & Barb are especially called at The River to build this church in tangible hands-on ways.

Barb is the administrator at The River and oversees accounting, calendar, scheduling, printing, social media and all things administrative. She has a passion for creative arts, worship and music and serves as the creative arts pastor, working with a team of worship artists and dancers who move in arts during our services. We are blessed to have these guys on our team!

Barb's Blog: http://mommabe.tumblr.com

Ken Ezell is an assistant pastor.

Ken served at Laguna Church 1982-1985 as children's pastor. From 1986 - 2001 he served at Newport Vineyard as a deacon. Ken & Barb have have been married for more than 30 years and have 5 children, Shanna, Jesse, Brandon, Jonathon, Dyllon and three grandchildren.

Ken oversees parking, ushers, security, hospitality (Coffee bar) and also leads the prayer team and the Orange County House of Prayer (OCHOP) which meets each Wed. evening at The River.

We are blessed to have these guys on our team!

Al heads an International Ministry called Word at Work Ministries. We are honored to have him as part of our team, speaking into The River's direction and life. He and his wife Jayne are a treasured and honored part of our fellowship.

Jason & Jennifer Lohrke are native Southern Californians. They have 3 children, Katriel, Kade, and Kole, They have a mutli-denominational ministry background being on staff as youth pastors, young adult pastors, & worship pastors for the last 12 years @ a Vineyard, Assemblies of God, & Foursquare church. Jason graduated from Vanguard University with a pastoral ministry degree in 1994. With a passion to help families & individuals to thrive in a worship & word lifestyle Jason and Jennifer believe living in God's love and power to be able to re-present Jesus to others.They also love teaching people how to pursue health & wellness physically, mentally, & spiritually.

Contact Jason @ 949.632.2636 or jasonlohrke@yahoo.com

Dina Mabe is an ordained minister who has attended The River since 2008. Dina has been associated with the (International Associated) Healing Room ministries since 2004, in 2010 planted Oasis, The River healing room. In addition to overseeing Oasis, Dina pastors the prophetic ministry at The River. Together Dina and her husband Jim facilitate a home group in Fullerton, CA.

Phil and Sandi Mahlow are our Missions Pastors.

River teams have literally been ALL OVER THE WORLD! In the past six years, members of The River have gone on eighty-four mission trips to over forty nations! Wheather it was with a River team or another mission organization, people who have felt the call to go to the nations are obeying God and going out. Truly this is a church where we agree with Hudson Taylor when he says, "The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

If you are looking to go on a short term or long term trip, Phil and Sandi are the ones to talk to. You can contact them at smahlow@theriveroc.org.

John and Kristi McCormick

John and Kristi lead The College and Career Ministry which meets at 7:00 PM each Thursday at the McCormick home.

For More information call 714-734-7700.

We are so delighted to have Scott and Allison overseeing all the children's ministry at The River! They served for many years with the kids at Vineyard Newport and now they are serving The River kids too.

Christopher Perrin is the owner and operator of Life After DeathTattoo. He leads our Saturday night service with the desire to bring people into a moment to moment, second to second relationship with Jesus. He is also part of the Sunday evening team and he leads a prayer group Thursday evenings in Costa Mesa at Life After Death Tattoo. He is married to Bobbi and together they are raising two kids, Lily & Seven.

The River High School Group (HSG) is a dynamic place for the youth of Orange County to learn about Jesus Christ and become empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Greg is an ordained pastor who loves Jesus and loves high school kids!

Greg & Jamie have been married since 1999. They fell in love with The River from their first visit and are excited to be part of such a dynamic, world changing church. Greg is an ordained pastor since 2003. He is a passionate evangelist, teacher, and musician, called to teach and train, the churched and un-churched youth, the truth about God. Greg’s longing is that they may discover who they are in Christ and passionately walk out their unique calling and purpose.

Click here for the High School Calender

Click here for the H.S. facebook page "Intrepid Generation"

Brenda Zeyak is a woman with a passion for seeing women come into their destiny and experience the intimate love of the Father. Brenda hosts a monthly Women’s Meeting in her home to encourage women to connect with one another at The River.

Brenda’s desire to serve women also goes beyond the River. Brenda and her husband work with a ministry based in Bangkok, Thailand that trains pastors and church leaders in 10 nations of Asia, they are also involved in ministry in Brazil.

Brenda and her husband Joe live in Santa Ana. They have 5 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

Contact Brenda at bzeyak@theriveroc.org

David Losey oversees The River's School of Ministry Arts SOMA, which will be starting it's first term of classes in the Fall of 2013. Picture

David and Linda Losey began their walk with the Lord and each other in Orange County in 1986. Since then, life has never been the same. They have traveled up and down the West Coast serving the Lord, most recently as senior pastor's of River of Life Church in West Sacramento. In 2010, they were led back to their home town and are excited to answer the call of God to start SOMA - School of Ministry Arts at The River OC. They live in Tustin with their five grown sons close-by. Where the River Flows, Everything Will Live!

Debbie has served a gifted pastor for more than 20 years. She now runs the Vineyard Christian Preschool & Infant/Toddler program, a ministry of The River offering quality care and enriching experiences for children in a warm, Christ-centered environment.

Ally is the Jr. High Pastor and has been working with both the jr. high and high school ministries, since 2010. She is currently studying at Santiago Canyon College. She enjoys gymnastics and currently teaches at the Little Gym in Tustin. Ally loves encouraging middle schoolers and high schoolers alike in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Eva, along with her husband Don ( affectionately known as "Papa" Don) love serving at The River and have a longing to bring the heart of Father God to those who seek wholeness. Eva and her family escaped from Hungary in 1949 and moved to Australia. In 1981, she met Don while they were attending Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim (he even baptized her before they knew each other) and were married 1984.

As the River's photo historian and "keeper of the testimonies," Eva knows first hand how vital it is to keep the Lord's great works always before His people. She loves to say that sharing what God has done in our lives builds a highway of faith that others can walk on. You can read and post your testimonies on Facebook, at The River OC Testimonies page. There is also a Book of Remembrance in the church foyer on the counter.

Angelica is an amazing young woman who serves each week with the infants - 2 year olds. She always has a smile on her face and puts a smile on the face of others too.

My name is Darleen Faragalli and am the Toddlers Director. I am a single mom of two teenage daughters. Angelica is a Sophomore at Hope International University in Fullerton. Ashton is a Junior at El Modena High School. We have lived in the City of Orange for over 12 years. I am a legal assistant and have worked for my boss for 23 years. During my time at The River I have gone from being a teacher in Kids Rock, to Director of Kids Rock, to Director of the Preschoolers Class, and now Director of the Toddlers Class. Each level has been a unique and wonderful experience. I have been immensely blessed in working with the teachers for the youngest members of our church.

Upon graduating from Biola University Conservatory of Music in 2004 with a degree in music performance, Tim has served in worship ministry at various churches throughout Orange County and L.A. County. He also has taught and currently teaches music in classroom and private lesson settings.

Tim has a passion and heart to see the Church worship God and lift up the name of Jesus without reservation not only in music, but also in lifestyle.

Joel Jones has a heart to see people released into their ministries. Currently he leads the Sound and Video team and is heavily involved with equipping the church in outreach. Joel has been in ministry in one form or fashion since 1994. He and his wife Maita have four children.

Aubrey has served as the Sunday PM Children’s Ministry Director since 2011. She has a heart to see the kids connect with God’s heart for them through worship, teaching and interaction with their leaders. She fully believes that there is no such thing as the “junior Holy Spirit,” and wants to create an environment for the kids to realize that God is for them too.

Aubrey is a student at Cal State Fullerton University and studies English with the intent of teaching middle school and High School in the future. She is the oldest of five kids and has been at the River since 2009.

Mary Weyer has overseen The River Prayer chain since 2006.

She was born in the Nederlands, saved when she was 40 years old.

She is married to Hans, who serves Sunday mornings with CD Duplication. Together they have 2 sons, 2 grandsons & one grandaughter. Mary loves to see God move when people support one another through prayer.

Jim and Sue oversee our Marriage Ministry. If you're a couple planning to get married or if you've been married for many years, the Wirick's are seeking to equip you with tools for a great marriage. Check our ministries page for upcoming events!

Marie brings her joy into The River as she co-leads children's ministry on Sunday mornings.

With a life long calling to work with children, Marni is excited to use her amazing gift of administration and bring her heart for teaching to the Children’s Ministry at The River. Together with her husband Nathan, Marni also helps lead the Outdoor Ministry group activities. Marni has a son in High School and daughter in Kids Rock. Her son also regularly helps out in Kids Rock.