July 15, 2024

Home-grown Riverbenders Jordan and Hope Hargrave are returning to Riverbend—this time in official staff capacities.

Effective August 18, Jordan will begin serving as Creative Director, overseeing all of Riverbend's technical ministries, as well as some other responsibilities. Hope will become Children's Director, overseeing all the children's ministries of the church. Their appointments by the Elders were announced Sunday by Teaching Pastor/Elder Josh Brown.

Jordan has been in full-time ministry for the past seven years. He served five years (2017-22) at Oasis and the last two years at The Grove near Tampa. Much of his responsibility at both churches included leading worship and handling tech aspects of both ministries.

Hope has served as Children's Ministry Assistant at the Grove for the past two years. Previously she served in a volunteer role at Oasis for five years. The children's ministry at Riverbend is familiar to her, as she formerly served as a volunteer for several years.

Comments From Jordan:

"I am so excited to be back at our home church! I believe in the vision and future here at Riverbend and cannot wait to be a part of it. The Lord is merciful to allow us the opportunity to be home and serve in discipleship and play a small role within the staff. I strongly believe in the priesthood of believers and cannot wait to serve alongside you.

"Growing up at Riverbend has given me a good baseline of biblical theology and a biblical worldview. Along with that, I grew up singing. Choirs, ensembles, praise bands and everything in between – I grew up in and around music."

Comments From Hope:

"It brings me great joy to be joining the staff at RCC! Riverbend has always held a special place in our family's heart! It is the place I grew up, was saved, went to school, met and married my husband and holds so many of our sweetest life-long friendships.

"Although we don’t see the exact model plainly laid out for children’s ministry in scripture, we do see our responsibility to train up the next generation of Christ-followers. It will be such a privilege to come alongside the parents of Riverbend to help equip, teach and disciple the youngest of souls in our church for Christ’s glory and the furtherance of His kingdom."

Family Connections:

Jordan and Hope have been married for 11 years and have three sons—Jude (9), Jax (7) and Jonah (3).

Jordan and Hope have several family ties at Riverbend.

Jordan is the son of Marki Hargrave and the late Dr. Roy Hargrave (Senior Pastor at Riverbend for 25 years). He is one of former Children's Director Rachel Mergener's three brothers.
Hope is the daughter of Riverbenders Rick and Rhonda D'Alessio and the granddaughter of long-time Riverbend member Sandy Leisner.

NOTE: Jordan will take over the role being filled by interim Tech Director Rylan Welling for the past eight months ... Hope will assume the duties handled in the children's ministry for the last eight months by Youth Director Aaron Johnsen, who has been doing double duty.

David Dorner Named

Missions Director

Riverbender David Dorner, who has done both long-term and short-term missions most of his adult life, will begin putting all his experience to work as the church's new Missions Director, effective immediately. He was commissioned to that volunteer role by the Elders during yesterday's Morning Worship.

David and wife Susan (pictured in South Asia attire) served nearly seven years as missionaries in South Asia during 2012-2019. They worked as church planters, disciple trainers and church strengtheners through the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served as the IMB's Risk Manager/Security Consultant for South Asia, and for the last five years or so he has been providing leadership and Biblical training to pastors in that region.

"I have a burden to share the Good News of Jesus," David said, "and firmly believe that the Great Commission applies to all believers. The Lord has allowed me to be involved in what He is doing for many years, both locally and internationally, and I am so grateful to be able to serve Him through my church in this way."

David's short-term missions work through the IMB has included projects in Africa, Russia, China, England, India, Ukraine and South America. He has also served as missions and church-planting coordinator at three different Baptist churches in Virginia, also providing the leadership for planting a church in Peru.

David spent more than 30 years in law enforcement prior to his long-term missions work in South Asia. He also currently serves as leader of the Safe ministry at Riverbend.

Susan, David's wife of 44 years, also has a passion for missions, having served long-term in Japan and South Asia and short-term in Kenya and Peru. She also currently serves as co-leader with Diane Miller of Riverbend's WARM ministry (Women Assisting Recovering Mothers).

Preaching the Word

To listen to a sermon from Riverbend Teaching Pastor

Josh Brown, click on the title

SUNDAY, July 14

Once Far Off, Now Brought Near by the Blood of Christ

Ephesians 2:11-13

LIVE-STREAMED

Riverbend's Sunday (10:30 a.m.) and Wednesday (6:15 p.m.) worship services are live-streamed on the church website (click here).

Liberals have placed on the November 5 General Election ballot a proposal, known as Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution, that would essentially extend the legality of abortions until birth. Riverbenders, and others who treasure life, should (1) vote NO; (2) pray that this measure fails.

Roofers for Stonebridge Construction of Jacksonville were busy this morning installing new metal roofing on the children's wing at the church. They are shooting for a completion date of August 8 for the entire building.

Thursday (July 25), 6-9 p.m. ... Jedi's in Training

Friday (July 26), 6-9 p.m. ... Neon Night

Saturday (July 27), 9 a.m.-noon ... Aliens

Cost: $15 ... Sign up early OR at the door

Daily costuming themes

3-part Bible series

Large-scale games

Great fellowship

Snacks provided

Info: Youth Director Aaron Johnsen (386-672-1821 or click here)

Riverbender Tony Santos, a professional saxophone player who is part of the Riverbend worship orchestra, was featured with his band, The Moonlighters, in the June 27 issue of the weekly Ormond Beach Observer newspaper. Tony was pictured twice and quoted several times. To read the article, click here.

4th Grade Teacher Needed

Riverbend Academy, one of our church's largest ministries, is seeking a fourth grade teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

For more information, contact Val Brown (click here) or Pastor Jason Karr (click here) or call the Academy office at 386-615-0986.

Riverbend says "thank you" to the 80-plus volunteers who led more than 220 elementary-age children through Vacation Bible School 2024 last week. The agenda included Bible study, missions education, Scripture memory, crafts, indoor/outdoor games, snacks, etc. Pray that the teachings surrounding the theme, Jesus—Our Indescribable Gift, will be a foundation leading to salvation for many of these youngsters.

GREETING CARDS —

Unused all-occasion cards (birthday, anniversary, get well, etc.) are needed by Riverbend's WARM ministry (Women Assisting Recovering Mothers) ... they will be placed in Christmas gift bags given to WARM residents ... please drop cards off at the church office.

SUMMER CAMP NEXT YEAR —

For those who like to plan ahead, Deep Creek '25 (Riverbend's annual youth summer camp) has been calendared for June 1-7 (Sunday-Saturday), 2025, in Bryson City, North Carolina.

TIMESHARE AVAILABLE —

Weekly ocean-front studio timeshare in Ocean East Resort in Ormond Beach ... available week #39 of each year for the yearly maintenance/property tax fee of $435 ... no other charges ... can also be exchanged for a week through RCI membership to any resort around the world ... call Samir Boulos: 386-235-7000.

NEED TUTORING? —

Lisa Carson, a former Riverbend Academy teacher (14 years), is available for reading, writing, grammar and math tutoring this summer and the coming school year for ages K through 7th grades. If interested, please call/text her at 386-566-7501.