Meet the Ignite Youth Leaders of the 2014-2015 School Year

Robbie (left) & Noah (right)

Robbie Neal, Youth Pastor

"My name is Robbie Neal and I am 23 years old. I have lived in Kalama my entire life and I love this town. Karissa and I have been married since July of 2010 and we have one daughter, Kinley Neal, as of August, 2014. Along with being a dad I enjoy hunting and fishing here in Southwest Washington. I have been a youth pastor with Riverview Community Church since the summer of 2011 and have had a blast helping to develop the youth group. I look forward to what God has in store for this year’s group of teens as we have the privilege of having a place that we can call home. May God continue to bless this community."  

 

Noah Ehrhard, Student Leader (Jr.)

Anja

My name is Noah Ehrhard. I'm 16 and currently a running start student at Clark College. I love God, and I'm just waiting to see what he has in store for me next. My goal in life is to share God with everyone I meet and spread his love to this generation.

Anja Shoun, Worship Leader

Anja has been an adult leader with Ignite for 2 years as well as the worship leader for RiverView Community Church. At the end of last year she began putting a youth band together so that Wednesday evenings could have a worship component.

Matt (left) & Klancy (right)

  Klancy Shriver, Adult Leader

"Hi there, my name is Klancy. Growing up in a Christian home, I came to know the Lord at a very young age, and have always felt led to share his word with others. I began helping Robbie and Karissa in 2009 when they started a Kalama branch of the middle school ministry, Wyldlife. That eventually became the Ignite youth group you see today. In addition to the weekly clubs, I am also a volunteer leader at the summer and winter camps. I am currently in college studying accounting, and in my free time I enjoy hiking, bird hunting, and making very corny jokes. If you see me at any of the clubs, feel free to say hi."

 

Matt Kmetz, Adult Leader 

"Hey I’m Matt! First off I’m one of the adult leaders in Ignite and I’ve given myself completely to God over a year ago and since then I‘ve been going to Riverview. I mean, I went to church and stuff before that but it wasn’t until some hardship that I surrendered myself to Him. Since then I’ve definitely felt his presence and His work being done through me. Right now I’m going to college and working at Fred Meyers and hopefully I’ll start being a volunteer firefighter soon."

Tori (left) Karissa (center) & Danielle (right)

 Karissa Neal, Youth Pastor

"I'm married to the handsome guy on here with the same last name and was blessed this past summer with the most adorable baby girl in the world. I have a serious addiction to shoes, which is odd because 99.99999% of the time you'll see me in my newest favorite pair of flip flops that I'll wear until they literally fall off my feet. My other loves are the beach, Disney, shopping, and Dutch Bros Peach Smoothies! As for my dislike list, here it is: Middle & High School. That was definitely one of the most difficult and confusing times in my life dealing with social hierarchy, grades, and the pressure of deciding what I wanted to do with my life. My passion is to come along side of teenagers going through the same pressures I was, which I’ve recently found is every single teenager, and just simply walk through life with them, loving them as they are-as Christ loves them."

Victoria Neuschwander, Student Leader (Fr.)

Tori is a Freshman this year at Mark Morris in Longview. She loves horses, training them, drawing them, and riding them. Her horse, Diamond, currently lives with her grandparents at their farm. Tori has been attending RiverView Community Church and the Ignite Youth Group for 3 years now.

Mackenzie

Danielle Ehrhard, Student Leader (Sph.) 

"Hey! My name is Danielle Ehrhard. I've been going to Ignite three years now, but, this is my first year as student leader. I'm so excited to be apart of what God is doing here and I can’t wait to see what He's going to do next!"

Mackenzie Morrison, Student Leader (Sph.) 

Mackenzie is a sophomore at Mark Morris in Longview. She gave her life to the Lord at our 2012 summer camp and since then has rarely missed a Sunday morning church service and has been involved with every teen ministry possible.

Bradon (left) & Jack (right)

Bradon Thompson, Student Leader (Sph)

"I have lived in Kalama my whole life with my mom, dad, and three brothers. I love my family, friends, sports, and the colors light blue and lime green. I try my hardest in every thing I do, like sports, helping people, and school (most the time). Interesting facts about me: I had heart surgery when I was five and split my head open when I was three. My relationship with God is good, He's helped me out a lot but I would love to be a lot closer with Him. I started going to church about two years ago and really got into it this past year. I feel safe and feel like I can trust the leadership team and people around me at church. If you would like to know more, just ask me."

Jack Spiess, Worship Team (lead guitar) 

Jack is a freshman at Kalama High School. He’s very involved in sports, currently playing Varsity Football.  He attends RiverView church weekly and this will be his 3^rd year involved in the Ignite program. 

Sterling Buck, Student Leader (Sr.) 

"My name is Sterling and I like to party. I’m pretty chill and like Disney. I’ve gone through some hard times with people telling me to grow up. I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and God. I love 50’s love songs (favorite band is the Turtles)."

 

Zack Gonzales, Student Leader (Sr.)

"My name is Zack and I am 18 years old. I am a Senior at Kalama High School and want to go to Tech School after I graduate. I like sports and am currently playing Varsity Football. I’m dating Brittany Haynes and my best friend is Spencer."

Eli Spreadborough, Student Leader (Sr.)

"I'm Eli, and I'm a junior who is doing full time Running Start. I'm big into outdoorsy stuff like hunting, fishing, and riding dirt bikes and the like. One reason I'm so into the outdoors is that it gives me a chance to connect with God. Funny side note, the first time I met Robbie Neal, he had just shot an elk on my property, and now he is my youth pastor! Anyways, enough of me, I'm sure there's plenty more BIO's to read!"

 

 Shalese Jorgenson, Student Leader (Sr.)

"Softball and food are my loves!!! I'm a child at heart who still loves Pokemon and watching Disney movies while coloring in my color book. My boyfriend is Eli Spreadborough and he is kind of amazing. Captain America and Batman are my favorite super heroes and that's bout it! Ohhh and did I say I love food!"

Emily Posey, Worship Band (lead vocals)

"I'm Emily Posey and I'm a senior at Kalama High School. I've been doing ignite since it first began and I've been a leader since 8th grade; I'm currently the lead singer for the Ignite Band. My scholastic activities include: cross country, knowledge bowl, wrestling, national honors society, track, bluesband, pep band,concert band, and theatre. My relationship with God started at a very young age; I've always looked to Him for advice and what to do in every situation. He's my role model and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kaylin Morrell, Student Leader (Sr.) 

"My name is Kaylin. I love painting and drawing and I paint murals with my bestfriend Shalese. I am in love with animals and am a child at heart and that'll never change. I play guitar but You'll never hear me sing. Disney is my life, if you reference or sing with me you're my best friend. Ok, so I said I never sing, Disney songs are the exception. I'm a terrible driver so never ever under any circumstances get in a car with me behind the wheel because you're almost guaranteed to die. I absolutely love ministry. I used to help my dad in Sunday school when I was in middle school and have wanted to be a part of ministry ever since."

 

Brittany Haynes, Student Leader (Fr.)

Brittany is a freshman and currently homeschooled. She has been cheering for the Kalama High School and has been enjoying that quite a bit.

 

Rio Syvertsen, Student Leader (Sph.)

"Hey, this is Rio. I'm funny, smart, nice, wild, and polite. Some of my hobbies are riding dirt bikes, working on cars, hunting, fixing things, and working outside. The school I go to is small but very fun. I don't like to do homework and I don't like English. My relationship with God is like the story of lost son."

Makenna Speed, Student Leader (Fr.)

"I'm a freshman at Kalama High School. The two sports I play are soccer and wrestling. I love to be with friends and share some laughs. I'm apart of the Ignite leadership because I want to keep learning about God and help others find him too. I'm excited to see how I grow in God and with the people around me as well."

Tony Hamblin, Worship Band (Drums)

Tony served our country in a tour of Afghanistan in the army and then went to Clark College. He currently has a photography company, Hamstik Media. He plays drums for RiverView Community Church occasionally and is the drummer for the Wednesday Evening Worship Band.

 Jaydon Morrell, Worship Band (Bass)

Jaydon is a freshman at Kalama High School. He’s the bass player for the Kalama High School bluesband and will be playing bass for the Ignite Youth Band on Wednesday evenings.

 

 

 

Men's Retreat 2014

RiverView got yet another awesome retreat this past weekend. Thirty men arrived at the Christian Renewal Center on Friday afternoon and got to visit with one another until dinner at 6:00pm. After dinner, the first session began. Mark, Chivalo, and Rob kicked off the sessions with worship. Nathan then spoke a word to the men from the life of Samson.
Following the first session, men gathered together around the campfire to talk or went back to their lodge, The Good Shepherd, and played Ping Pong and hung out with one another.

 Saturday morning the men shared breakfast with one another, had another session, free time, lunch, and then the beautiful hike around the waterfalls on the Canyon Rim. Following the hike, the men hung out with one another until dinner. Following dinner was Session 3 with more worship and sharing of the word. Then, the men watched the movie, "God's Not Dead."

Sunday morning, the men had breakfast, one more session, lunch, and then headed for home.
Overall, it was a very fulfilling weekend and a great time away. Be sure to mark September 18th-20th, 2015 in your calendar for next year's Men's Retreat!

Work Day

What a day! Although much of the work for our new building was completed over the summer, there were still some jobs that needed to be completed before our Grand Opening in October. We had between 15-20 people in attendance and had a wonderful time of painting, decorating, weeding, planting, and fellowship.

Dan Tracy weeding and planting

One of the tasks completed for the day was weeding all around the building. The hedges along front of the building were all cut to be square shape, a few more flowers were planted, and all of the flower beds were weeded. Arborvitaes were planted along both sides of the church building as well.

Nathan, Larry, Karen, & Becky cleaning up out back

Another one of the exterior chores for the day  was getting the back storage shed cleaned out and organized and getting behind the church cleaned up. Many items were loaded into pick-up trucks and hauled off, the concrete out back was cleaned up, and the grass was cut and weeded. The storage shed is now useable for church items. Behind the church also looks great and with a children's play place is a great place to visit before, after, and/or between services with this nice weather.

The beams on the outside of the church building were painted brown to match our color theme and help accentuate the exterior.

Robbie Neal painting exterior beams

Shannon Tracy painting exterior beams

There were many interior chores completed during the work day as well. While the carpet squares had all been cut to fit and installed in the church, they had not yet been taped down. During this workday, all of the perimeter pieces of carpet were taped down to prevent shifting. The bathrooms were spruced up with some paint and the alter benches and some stepping stools were painted. Decals and fall decorations were added around the church. Door trim was installed in the children's room, preschool room, and nursery. Then, lastly, a new projector and projector screen was installed in the children's room.

Karen Hauser adding decals

Debra Newton painting

Liz Verbrugge taping down carpet

There are still a few projects needing to be completed, but Saturday's work day definitely got our church's construction one large step closer to being complete. Thank you to those of you that gave of your weekend to serve, we appreciate all of your hard work. Thank you also to Denise Burck for making all of the workers a delicious lunch!

An average Sunday morning

Our church does not have any formal greeters, but expect to be greeted by everyone you walk past as you make your way to a seat before service. We have some of the most kind, giving, loving people in all of Cowlitz County gathered together at our two services.

Our two services begin at 9:15am and 11:15am. A breakfast of pastries and fresh fruit divides the two services, beginning at 10:45am.

Both services are identical in format. Each service begins in a word of prayer. The worship team then leads a mix of 5-6 traditional and modern/contemporary worship songs. There is then a 5 minute break which is meant to foster community, being just another opportunity for people to say "Hello" to one another. Following the break, Pastor Rob comes to the stage and delivers God's word to the congregation.








Children are dismissed 1/2 way through the worship set to their respective classrooms. Children ages 0-2 are welcome to go to the nursery. There are always workers in the nursery to watch children if parents prefer to drop them off. If, however, a child is younger and a mother needs to nurse or a parent would prefer to stay with them, they are welcome to do so. There is a large window in the nursery looking into the sanctuary so the stage can be seen. Speakers allowing the sermon to be heard from the nursery are being installed soon as well.

Our preschool classroom is open for ages 3-5. Children are led through a curriculum plan for the day and then given free time to play, watch Veggie Tales, draw on the chalk board wall, etc.

 Our last children's classroom is for ages 6-12.  This class is organized to teach children about the love and the word of God in a fun atmosphere. The room is themed "Circus" and children can expect a snack from the popcorn machine during service. Children also take a seat for their children's church service in a pillow pile of their making.

RiverView believes strongly in the power of getting on our knees before God. That's why every service will end in a worship song combined with an alter call. Everyone that comes forward to the alter has a pastor available to pray with them or can just use the alter time as an opportunity to meet with the Lord.