Leadership

Eric grew up in a Christian home.  Being with God’s people and hearing the Word of God was a regular part of his life.  As a young child, Eric understood his need for Christ because of the sin in his life.  Even today, he understands his constant need for Christ.  Without Christ, Eric acknowledges that he is nothing, and his life is God’s to do with as He wills. He and his wife, Anna, have 3 daughters, 1 son-in-law, and 1 beautiful granddaughter.
After graduating from Seminary, Eric helped found and operate Camp Living Stones, Inc. located in Southeast Tennessee.  For 10 years, he served as the camp director.  In 2007, his family moved to Mountain Home to serve on staff at First Baptist Church as Recreation Pastor.  In 2011, Eric was called to help plant and pastor The River Bible Church.

It was during Jordan’s senior year of high school that God truly opened Jordan’s eyes to his need of a Savior and to the realization that He WAS that Savior. By God’s mercy and grace, He surrounded Jordan with many spiritual “mothers and fathers” to guide and mentor him in the faith.
In September 2011, God called Jordan and Kelsey to Mountain Home, AR where they have been constantly overwhelmed by the love and encouragement of The River Bible Church family. Jordan and Kelsey have 2 children.

 Matthew was raised in a Christian home in east Tennessee with parents who taught him the value of church and Christian hospitality. He came to know the Lord as Savior at 11 years old when it was pointed out that going to church or being a good person cannot save anyone.
Matthew graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. He has a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. After serving as Church Planting Missionaries with NAMB for nine and half years on Vancouver Island, BC, Matthew and his wife, Heather moved to Mountain Home in 2021 to join the ministry and family at The River Bible Church. Matthew and Heather have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, and a beautiful grandson.

 At a young age Amber had an understanding of who Jesus was, but the depth of her knowledge was only that Jesus was the Son of God and that he had died on the cross. She was lacking any evidence of Christ in her life, a personal relationship, and an understanding of what grace is. It wasn't until she was in her early 20's did she truly realize her need for a Savior and that without Jesus she had no hope. It was then that she surrendered her life to Christ and began trusting the Lord with her future.
Amber has a God-given desire to help children know biblical truth and a desire to see biblical principals and knowledge taught to children of all ages. 

Though Heather was not raised in a Christian home, she came to know and understand the love of God through friends who took her to a small Baptist church. Those families and the children's Sunday School teachers taught her about the good Father who loves her perfectly. She chose to accept His gift of salvation and began following Jesus at age 12.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration and  a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Heather came to The River Bible Church in  2021 when her husband, Matthew began as the Family Pastor and she began working as the financial secretary July 2021. She began practicing Biblical Counseling at The River in 2022  and desires help women, couples and families find hope in healing in God’s sufficient word.