Leadership

Pastors

Head Pastors
Pastors Lew & Lorri Wootan have been involved in ministry since the ‘80s. Lew and Lorri traveled on the evangelistic field for 22 years. They first came to minister in Oregon in 1994 and made it their home in 1997. After nearly 8 years in Oregon, the Lord took them to Utah, where they planted two churches. They returned to Oregon in 2011 and have been pastoring The River Church. Their hearts are to see the lost brought to Christ and hope given back to the hopeless. Love sums up their ministry.

Associate Pastors
This farm boy and country girl have been happily married since 1997. Despite the many ups and downs of life, being unable to have children due to cancer, and having children that they thought of as their own taken from them, life felt empty and incomplete. As a distraction, they put all of their energy into their careers, having fun, being social, and staying busy. Although they never left each other’s side, they let their true passion for each other and the things of Christ fade away. On October 10, 2017, they had a reality check, a “come back to Jesus moment,” and God led them to The River through Celebrate Recovery. Since being at The River, and surrounded by love and an atmosphere of growth and change, the Holy Spirit has fired up a new life in them! They have passion for people and seeing lives changed, and are excited for what the Holy Spirit has next!

Associate Pastors
When Pastor Jim turned 33 years old, he heard the call of God to shepherd God’s people. Jim was appointed to the Keizer Open Bible Church, until the congregation launched out in faith in a new location, the Keizer Quality Inn Conference Center, with a new name, The River Church, and with a stronger leadership partnership with Pastors Lew and Lorri Wootan.Pastor Shannon Banke gave her heart to Jesus when she was 12 years old at the Kelso Washington Presbyterian Church. Shannon obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from George Fox University. Shannon has followed God’s directive to strengthen the disciples through teaching in youth prisons, Christian schools, chapels, Sunday schools, and musical productions. Currently, Shannon has been ordained with The River Church.

Associate Pastor
Pastor Sharon is the daughter of a Christian Alliance Ministry pastor. Sharon completed nurses aid training at Central Arizona Community College. She has assisted her late husband, David, in ministry, first in nursing homes, then as he pastored a church and assisted with church plants. Pastor Sharon has enjoyed s life-long music ministry starting with membership in the Back To The Bible Youth Choir and the Simpson College Choir. She enjoys her involvement with The River Church Worship team to this day.

Associate Pastor
Pastor Alma was born in a small town in Arizona. She is the oldest of 10 children. Her family relocated to California when she was very young, where she and her siblings were raised. She loves traveling, fishing, bowling, volley ball, playing various card games and enjoys being with her family and friends. She moved to Independence, Oregon in 1968, where she met and married her husband Roger Markson, and they had 2 daughters and 3 sons. Alma was happily married to her soul mate for 38 years before the Lord took him home in 2007. She received Christ into her life over 37 years ago. Alma has an extensive history in ministry with her husband, running revivals and meetings where they witnessed many souls come to Christ. They also held seminars encouraging married couples. After the passing of her husband, she faithfully continued in ministry work. She’s been a Choir Director, Youth President, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher and a Spiritual Mentor. Her deepest desire is to see souls added to the kingdom. God has given her a heart for the lost and a “right now word” to destroy chains of bondage, heal broken hearts, restore lives, and bring souls out of the horrible pit of sin.

Nyssa has been attending The River since 2017. Being at The River has been like a recovery program because of how she was "loved back to life." At first, she hid that she was a music teacher, feeling beat up by the pressures of performing. She now leads the worship ministry, doing far beyond what she ever envisioned when God first called her. During worship services, people have experienced the anointing of God bringing increasing levels of freedom and spontaneous healings. She counts it a privilege to serve alongside the leaders at The River, and is honored to have the Holy Spirit as her worship leader.
Sports were a big thing – mostly baseball and gymnastics. Only his dad would watch him. One of Kevin’s friends started going to a church at the University of Minnesota campus. Kevin asked his friend a lot if he could go to his church with him, but his friend kept saying no. But God was building his hunger. He eventually told his friend, “I’m going – get in the car” for Easter 1976. The pastor talked about the crucifixion and Jesus rising from the dead, but asked a strange question – if you were going to steal a body, would you unwrap him first? Kevin couldn’t get it out of his mind. They gave him a gospel tract that he read probably 100 times. It included a verse: Psalm 7:11 – God judges the righteous and is angry with the wicked every day. Every time he read it, it felt like another brick was put on his chest. He was afraid if he read it one more time, he would be crushed. He had to do something, so he asked Jesus to save him from himself. The weight was gone! Later on, he went to YWAM, and while on staff there, he met his wife, Lisa. They have been married since 1987. Some of the promises He gave Kevin in 1981 are coming true now. God is faithful to His word. Kevin is self-employed and has a very cool teenage daughter who is growing up way too fast for his liking. Their family helps the homeless, and he and his wife work with Family Foundations and are coordinators for Ancient Paths. The more he walks with Jesus, the more he realizes he’s absolutely hopelessly lost without Him, and if left on his own, his life would be a disaster.

Elders

Val & Deirdre basically met in the early 1970s in junior high school in Dallas, Oregon, but didn’t reconnect and marry until March of 2010, after being married to other spouses. Val grew up in the Christian church and went to Bible college in Washington. Being a general contractor, he assisted with The River’s facility improvements to the current church building, and he is a gifted teacher. Deirdre has worked as a church office administrator since 2001, and began doing so at The River in December of 2017, now serving as the Church Membership Administrator. She also serves on the Women's Ministry Team. Val & Deirdre began attending The River Church on January 8, 2017, due to a severe “snow day” when most churches in town weren’t open. They were hooked from the start! Even though it was not what they were used to, they were drawn to the "atmosphere" (which they now know was the Holy Spirit)! The couple is honored to be serving at The River and look forward to additional spiritual growth as they assist with the growth of the church and “taking the City for Jesus."

In November 1992, Cathy rededicated her life back to Jesus. She had been raised in a Christian home, but decided she knew how to do it better, so off she went and made a mess of her life. She was sitting next to her ever-faithful-in-the-Lord mother at her church and quietly bowed her head and asked the Lord for forgiveness in her life. Cathy so wanted her life to be better. She didn’t tell anyone; she just started to try to live her life the way she knew it should be. Cathy told Jesus she would never go back again. She has been stuck a few times, but she has kept her promise to Him and has never gone back -- always to be pressing forward, always wanting her life to look like something that others would want. Cathy was "shopping" for a church when she came to The River. She stepped across the threshold and was immediately met by the strong presence of God. That was it for her. She always says, “As long as Jesus goes to church at The River, I will go to church at The River.”

Angie was saved when she was 7 years old. She heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and wanted to serve a God that could save her from anything. Since then she has had a lot of trials and tribulations, but she looks to Jesus to sustain her, to give her joy, and peace. He is so faithful and so good. She also loves sharing Jesus' love with others. When she grows up, she wants to be a full-time evangelist. He is her God, her King, and her Lord, and she wants to serve Him all the days of her life forever and ever. Amen!

Stanley and Candace were married in 1985 in San Diego, California, after finding each other through a Bible study while he was in the Navy. Stan rededicated his life to Christ after spending a night in the drunk tank in 1983. He was baptized in the Spirit after that. Candace asked Christ into her heart while watching Billy Graham on TV at age 8. She became an RN in 1991, after working as an LVN in ICU settings. During that time, she became extremely hungry for the Lord. They both had the joy of the Lord and had always wanted a richer life in Christ. Candace went to a two-year Bible program which brought anointed teaching into their home. They had their daughter in 1992. They tried different things, but it all came together for them when they came to be part of The River Church five years ago. They went to the Philippines with Reverend Lew Wootan in 2000, while they attended church with the Bankes for many years. They are realizing the fulfillment of their dreams and love what they are doing now, living a full life of ministry.

David and Kendra Gibby have been attending The River Church since the fall of 2016. After only a short time sitting under the anointing and hearing the word of God, they both decided to answer the call of God in their lives. In July 2017, they were married by Pastor Lew in front of the church congregation. Since then, they have been serving the Lord with all their hearts. Kendra is the Children's Ministry Director and David serves with her and as a Sound Technician. God has done amazing things in their lives, and it has affected their entire family. They count it an honor to serve at The River Church and are committed to the vision of The River to see the City of Salem saved.

Kimo and Carmelita, being led by the Holy Spirit, met in 2012 and were married in 2013. Both had been previously married, and they each have 3 children with their previous spouses, all of whom are young adults now. Carmelita's children: Zacheriah (1995), Jacob (1999), and Breana (2001); Kimo's children: Shalia (1997), Brittany (1999), and Kobe (2002).
Kimo's parents were a part of EE (Evangelism Explosion) when he was a child. At the age of 10, during their weekly family Bible study, his parents led him in the sinner's prayer. Over the course of the next 36 years, Kimo has served as a leader in a security ministry, co-led marriage Bible studies, and has been a head usher.
Carmelita grew up experiencing Catholic and Mormon churches until she was 13. When she was a freshman in high school, her mom gave her a gospel tract and encouraged her to ask Jesus into her heart; she then prayed the sinner's prayer. It would be years before Carmelita would come to be able to give Jesus her self-made masks and walls. At age 19 she began attending non-denominational churches until at 23 she solely started attending Cornerstone Fellowship in Livermore, California. During the 12 years she was there, Carmelita served in different ministries which included: connections ministry, outreach ministry, as well as serving as a greeter for their greeter/usher/security ministry. Carmelita believes her experiences were and are used by our Lord to prepare her for such a time as this as she serves Him with her husband Kimo here at The River Church.

Deacons

God brought Nate and Angie together when they met at Cornerstone Open Bible Church in 2001, and they were married there in 2001 by Pastor Jim Banke. Nate and Angie faithfully served there until 2014. After Pastor Lew (then Evangelist Lew) led Nate to the Lord in 2001, he served as an usher/head usher while also being named to the church board.
Angie served alongside Children’s Pastor Shannon Banke as a Sunday School Teacher and became Children’s Director. In 2015, a year after Cornerstone became The River Church, Nate and Angie were appointed as Youth Leaders at The River. In 2018, Nate and Angie were installed as Deacons.
Nate and Angie are very family-oriented. They have three amazing boys – Nathan, Joshua and Lucas. They all stay very busy with sports, music, camping, and church activities. They love Jesus and seeing young people and their families live in the fullness of Christ, and enjoy the freedom in Him.

Kevin was born by a 15-year-old, the third daughter in the family to have a baby out of wedlock. She was told to put him up for adoption. When Kevin was born, she ran with him for two weeks. Then he was pulled from her arms. She told Kevin this story when he met her at the age of 21. His adopted parents told him very early on that he was adopted and was picked special for them. They were older and couldn’t have kids. They all loved each other, but it was never said. They were close, but not touchy. He was raised as a Catholic because it was expected. Kevin never understood why at different times of the year they would do different things with Jesus on the cross. It was never explained.
Sports were a big thing – mostly baseball and gymnastics. Only his dad would watch him. One of Kevin’s friends started going to a church at the University of Minnesota campus. Kevin asked his friend a lot if he could go to his church with him, but his friend kept saying no. But God was building his hunger. He eventually told his friend, “I’m going – get in the car” for Easter 1976. The pastor talked about the crucifixion and Jesus rising from the dead, but asked a strange question – if you were going to steal a body, would you unwrap him first? Kevin couldn’t get it out of his mind. They gave him a gospel tract that he read probably 100 times. It included a verse: Psalm 7:11 – God judges the righteous and is angry with the wicked every day. Every time he read it, it felt like another brick was put on his chest. He was afraid if he read it one more time, he would be crushed. He had to do something, so he asked Jesus to save him from himself. The weight was gone! Later on, he went to YWAM, and while on staff there, he met his wife, Lisa. They have been married since 1987. Some of the promises He gave Kevin in 1981 are coming true now. God is faithful to His word. Kevin is self-employed and has a very cool teenage daughter who is growing up way too fast for his liking. Their family helps the homeless, and he and his wife work with Family Foundations and are coordinators for Ancient Paths. The more he walks with Jesus, the more he realizes he’s absolutely hopelessly lost without Him, and if left on his own, his life would be a disaster.

Jethro has been in church his whole life, except for a stretch of time from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s. He said the sinner’s prayer at around six years old but had always hit a wall in his Christian walk that he couldn’t get past, and then with seemingly no options left, he would quit. During his time away from church, he learned to really talk to God. Jethro knew he needed to be serving God, but he just couldn’t fail again. If he tried again, he would fail again, and then he thought he would never come back. So Jethro made an impossible deal with God: he would only come back if God could guarantee he would never walk away again. He didn’t know how, what, or why he darkened the door of a church again, but he and his family did. He served some in various positions, youth ministries being the biggest. Then he went through HeartChange and was on a desperate search for intimacy with God. With the help of a prophetess, he found that what he was looking for he already had. He would experience the active and spontaneous moving of Holy Spirit at HeartChange, but nowhere else until he came to The River. In 2018, he got past that wall he always ran into and is continuing to grow in his spiritual walk.
Jethro’s wife Christina has been attending The River Church since 2016. She started working in the sound booth as a media-tech in 2017 and finished university in December 2019 to obtain her teaching license. She is a Teacher and one of the Administrators of the River Learning Academy, our 3 day a week, full curriculum homeschool co-op. She and Jethro have been married since 1994 and have 6 children together -- 3 are now adults, 2 teenagers, and one little one. Their work, children, and ministries keep them busy.

Kevin and Beverly met by the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were tired of searching for the right partner and prayed to the Lord to lead them to the right person, not of their own choosing, but God’s choice. They dated for six months and got married on September 25, 1982. Kevin was a Lutheran and Beverly a Pentecostal. They grew together as Pentecostals, letting the Holy Spirit lead. They grew under the five-fold ministry, praying together in making decisions.
They were married in Salem, Oregon, traveled by God’s leading to the State of Washington, working in the Church of the Vineyard and Morning Star Ministries, wanting to please God as they went. Kevin worked for the State of Oregon for 21 years with Children in Corrections. Then as a Social Service Director in two healthcare facilities where Beverly worked in food services with her schooling in Dietary Management. Kevin attended Chemeketa Community College, graduating with an AA in Human Resources Technology, then on to PSU with a BA in Sociology and a Minor in Social Work. Kevin went on to work at the State Hospital for 18 years as a Mental Health Therapist. Their focus in life is to always help God’s people and to encourage them to follow God’s word, supporting our community by pleasing Jesus Christ, and being led by the Holy Spirit!

Corey and Abby Winslow met in 2002 and were married in 2003. They have two sons Zao (2007) and Logan (2010). The family greatly enjoys music, board games, and being involved at The River Church. When Corey is not at work, he enjoys playing music, finding new and interesting social events, and is always doing something artistic and creative. Abby is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. She also owns and runs Machlao Studio, their family's vinyl decal business. She loves praying for others and watching Father do His thing. Corey and Abby are both on the worship team and love ushering people into the throne room through song and praise. Corey also leads the Livestream & Broadcast Ministry and Abby is involved with the Women's Ministry.

Laura began attending The River Church in 2018 during their Fall Camp Meeting. The anointed preaching, teaching, prayer, and worship reignited her hunger for God and pursuit of Jesus. She is involved with The River Outreach Ministry and is currently a part of the children’s ministry team. Laura has worked at Costco for 18 years. She has four adult children and loves spending time with her grandchildren.

Brent & Sheenah were both raised in Christian homes. Brent came from multiple generations of pastors. He has a heart to serve, teach and lead. He made his decision to follow Jesus when he was 15 and has stayed faithful. She made her decision to follow Jesus when she was 5 and enjoyed being raised in Pentecostal churches. They were high school sweethearts and have been married since 1993. God has brought them through the easy & tough times.
They strive to be Kingdom Builders as they raise the 5 children that God has blessed them with. They endured losing babies, infertility, failed adoption and fostering children on the journey to become parents. They homeschool their children and teach them like Deuteronomy 11:19 talks about.
Brent is a Worship Leader & Dean of the School of Worship at River Impact University (RIU). Sheenah is a church administrator for RIU, administrator & teacher at the River Learning Academy (RLA), the church’s homeschool co-op. We are excited to continue to serve our Savior by being a part of the River Church.

I was raised from about the age of 10 years old to be a believer. The problem with my belief was that I believed that there was a Jesus and that he died for me and he was coming back for me but no Holy spirit. And at 35 I got a divorce, lost my wife, kids, house & finances. I started to lean on my parents, but they pointed me back to Jesus. I started going back to church started tithing, praying, reading the word; but nothing really changed about my belief except for the idea that we need to have a relationship with Jesus. So, I started building my relationship with Jesus by trusting Him to find me a help mate & bring my kids back to me. Reading the word of God was building up my faith. I married Cheri Billadeau, a God-fearing woman & had another son Evan Rummerfield, in addition to my other children Matthieu and Lauren Billadeau. As they hit high school we stopped going to church because we just got to busy. I still had my relationship with Jesus, but church was just dead, with no direction, no hope, just dead. Then in 2018 hits my son Matthieu and his wife Jazz started going to the River Church and he started to encourage me to come try it. Covid hit and they didn't close up. I started watching online & then going. During Fall Camp Meeting 2021 was the week that I was baptized in the Holy Ghost changed from a believer to a knower. Never the same! Love to serve my King and the people he brings to The River.