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Pastors
 Bill Ellis ~ Lead Pastor
Bill Ellis never thought he’d return to his hometown, but in 1988, with Teresa and their two young daughters, he came back to plant a church in the eastern suburbs. Now that Angela and Bethany are young adults, he can’t imagine leaving the ‘burg. Bill loves the challenge of leading a growing congregation, the adventure of short term mission trips, and the rare satisfaction of finding the fairway off of the tee.
Before coming to Pittsburgh, Bill studied at Penn State University, Central Bible College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Following seminary, he served as an Associate Pastor in State College for eight years. Bill never wants to stop learning. He has completed the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership through Asbury Seminary and is always looking for better ways to advance God’s purposes on earth.
CONTACT BILL
 David Kennard ~ Adult Ministries
David is married to Amie and they have two children – Joshua (5) and Jenna (3). He was born and grew up near Springfield, Missouri. David went to Southwest Missouri State University and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology/Religious Studies. He is a chocoholic, a tennis fanatic and loves anything dealing with servant-leadership. You can nearly always find him with his Palm Pilot and on more than one occasion he’s been accused of being a little too organized. He loves to travel, read and play with his kids.
CONTACT DAVID
 Dave Longstreth ~ Creative Arts Ministries - Oakmont
Dave was born in Altoona, PA. He attended Valley Forge Christian College, just outside Philadelphia, PA, and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Pastoral Ministry with a minor in Church Music. He is continuing his studies towards a Master’s in Christian Ministries. While attending Valley Forge, Dave married his very lovely and talented wife, Carrie (Fogal), who was also a student at the school. After college, Dave and Carrie moved to Pittsburgh to accept a position at Riverside where they have been serving faithfully since 2001.
Dave’s passion in life and ministry is worship. Creative Arts Pastor at Riverside Community Church and founder of The Worshipper Project, Dave devotes his talents and life’s calling to help others find their identities as worshippers. In addition to his duties at Riverside, he is always preparing for the next recording project. He enjoys music and the creative arts, fishing, golfing, hunting and spending time with friends and family. Carrie’s love for children and the arts has also been a blessing to everyone here at Riverside.
CONTACT DAVE
 Chad Zollo ~ Creative Arts Ministries - Mills
Chad and his wife Julie have moved to the Oakmont/Verona area from Swedesboro, New Jersey. Chad had been a Pastor at the Living Hope Worship Center in Swedesboro. Serving as worship leader and director of the church worship team and choir, Chad developed the worship and multi-media ministry at Living Hope. He was also active as the Young Adults Pastor.
Chad graduated from Valley Forge Christian College with a Pastoral Ministry major and Music Technology minor. He led worship for the VFCC Chapel and their traveling “Chosen” Worship Team, in addition to producing the Chosen CDs for 2003 through 2005.
CONTACT CHAD
 Donnie Marsh ~ Student Ministries
Donnie came to Pittsburgh in 1996 after graduating from Central Bible College (CBC) in Springfield, MO. He is originally from Niagara Falls, NY and is married to Shelly, who is originally from Detroit, MI. Shelly and Donnie have two children, Cierra and David. This is truly home for the whole family. They married, bought a house, had children and have shared so many great experiences here at Riverside.
Donnie is all about spending time with family and friends, playing video games, drinking white chocolate mochas from Starbucks, eating wings at Quaker Steak and Lube, and relaxing in his recliner. He can draw, he likes to act and goof around and is a lot more serious and organized than people think. He has a rubber chicken and a lava lamp in his office, proof that he belongs in Student Ministry. Someday he will finish his Masters Degree.
CONTACT DONNIE
 Denise Churchel ~ Children's Ministries
Denise is the Children's Ministry Director here at RCC. She has been a member for about 12 years, served in Children's Ministry as a volunteer for about 10, and has been on staff for almost 2 years now.
Denise has been married to John for 23 years and has 3 children. Kevin is 17, Stephanie just turned 14 and Steven is 9. They currently live in Penn Hills, but will soon be moving to Plum.
She has always loved kids. She comes from a family of 5 girls and now has 9 nephews and 9 nieces. Denise, along with about 100 volunteers, has the opportunity to minister to 150 children a week. Children's Ministry exists to partner with parents in "Raising them up in the way they should go...". Denise considers it a blessing to have a job doing what she loves and serving God at the same time.
CONTACT DENISE
 Laurie Lesoon ~ Caring Ministries
Laurie is the Director of Caring Ministries here at Riverside. She started as a volunteer and has become an integral member of the church family. Now a valuable staff member she oversees multiple caring and hospitality ministries as well as coordinates a wide range of church events.
Coming from a Human Resources background, one can immediately sense her love of people. Laurie will go the extra mile to help, encourage, and motivate people who are lost or searching to find what God created them for.
Laurie has been married to the "love of her life," Al for nineteen years now. Four of those years were spent living in Houston, Texas. She has three beautiful daughters Nicole, Marissa, and Kristi. If you ask her, she’ll tell you she has the best kids in the whole world!”
Still living in the area, she is a native of Penn Hills. Ask her her favorite pastime and you'll be told "Yardening." She and Al spend a great deal of time renovating their 200 year old farmhouse and wandering down the aisles of Home Depot - looking for the "next" project.
CONTACT LAURIE
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