Derick became Senior Pastor of River Valley in 2006 after serving as Associate Pastor since 1993. Derick's passion is to impact our community and the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Derick married Teresa in 1989 and they have three children, Landon, Logan and Lydia. Derick served as Vice President of the Evangelical Church Alliance for ten years before coming on full-time staff in 2001. He completed his undergraduate studies from Bradley University with a degree in Public Relations and graduated cum laude from Trinity Evangelical Divinity school. Derick enjoys taking walks with Teresa, listening to Landon and Logan make music and dancing with Lydia. He loves Mexican food, watching the Bears, playing golf and listening to jazz. His favorite movies are Les Miserables and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. If choosing a favorite baseball team, he would go with the "northsiders."

George served as Senior Pastor of River Valley Christian Fellowship from 1993-2006 while also serving as the President of the Evangelical Church Alliance until 2004. He is currently the Pastor of Congregational Care for River Valley and is also the Military Chaplain Commission Director for the Evangelical Church Alliance. It is his desire to see spiritual growth in every person in the congregation and comfort for the sick and dying. He is married to Sharon and they have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren. George loves golf, football, basketball, baseball, rhubarb pie but not Chevrolet's. He received a Master of Ministry Degree from Covington Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Religious Education from Evangelical Bible Seminary. George served in pastoral ministry in West Virginia and Southern Illinois before moving to the Kankakee area in 1987. His favorite food is hot or cold and likes "Sonny's" barbecue restaurants; maybe that is why he likes to travel?

Ben came to River Valley to serve as a part-time worship leader in the spring of 2005 after graduation locally from Olivet Nazarene University. He and his wife, Katie were married here at River Valley the following summer. During his first two years at River Valley, Ben completed his master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. In his spare time, he is now continuing on into his doctoral studies and is pretty sure he can make any situation more complex if you just give him the time. In a minuscule portion of his spare time, Ben also enjoys the outdoors, gardening, cooking, carpentry, skiing, sailing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. Ben has been a musician for over 20 years, playing the piano, bass, and drums as early as he could get his hands on them. He started singing in the choir when he was a mere alto with his mom. Variety is the spice of his life when it comes to travel, food, the arts, and especially music. He believes praise and worship music in all styles is a powerful tool, both theologically and emotionally to connect our minds and hearts with our heavenly father.

God lead Dianna to River Valley Christian Fellowship Church in May 2007 as a full-time Church Secretary. Dianna's family is an important part of her life, and like a regal quilt; each piece has a special place and is uniquely different from the rest. Her husband, Andy; daughter and son-in-law, Jessica & Martin; sons, Michael & Dominick; and grandchildren, Faith & Gerardo fill her life with love and excitement. Dianna loves to work around the house, interact with her family, watch movies (mainly romantic comedies), but her passion is Desktop Publishing/Graphic Design. She has 17 years experience working in all areas of the office. but her expertise is with the computer. God put a desire in her heart to help the hurting, and to touch others lives as Jesus touches ours.

Bob has served as River Valley's Junior High Youth Leader for over five years. Bob has been involved in youth ministry in some form since 1987. He served with Youth for Christ and formed a skateboard, blade and bike ministry, which existed for 10 years. His passion is investing in students' lives and sharing the life saving message of Jesus Christ with them. Students love Bob because they know he cares and can play dodge ball with the best of them. Bob married Tari, the love of his life, in 1987 and they have five children, Joshua, Victoria, Caleb, Luke, and Ethan. Bob loves spicy food and is a connoisseur of hot sauces. He is involved in a lot of activities ranging from coaching, skateboarding to singing.

Mike Dean began his work as Children's Ministry director in August 2007. Mike began working as Senior High youth Pastor at River Valley in 1999. Since that time he has been active teaching children and adults, and served for a short time on the Deacon Board. In addition to his work at church, Mike has been a history and bible teacher at Kankakee Trinity Academy for nine years. Mike has earned an undergraduate degree in history from Olivet Nazarene University and is currently working on a master's degree. Mike is married to Erin Dean; he and Erin have three children: EmmaJo, Percy, and Sadie. Mike loves to be outdoors, hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, gardening, whatever. If it is done outdoors, Mike enjoys it! Mike's wife Erin is a labor and delivery nurse at St. Mary's Hospital. Mike doesn't watch sports at all, but loves to play anything, and concerning favorite foods he insists, "I like all good food, but my favorite is any food I didn't prepare myself."

Jill moved to Bourbonnais in 2006 and began working as River Valley's Community Life Director in 2009.  Jill and her husband, Bill, have two daughters, Cara and Eva. Jill graduated from Governors State University with a degree in Communications, which her husband could say she overuses daily.  If given three hours of spare time, Jill could be found watching Titanic or maybe Return to Me, two of her favorite movies.  Every day is ended by reading a novel with a tiny book light so as not to wake her hardworking husband.  Being a mom and wife are hard to beat, but Jill so enjoys her role here at River Valley ~ especially working with so many dedicated volunteers.