Our Team
Paul and Margie Arends
Paul and Margie are the senior pastors of The River. They have served in full-time ministry for over 30 years, and they have a burning passion for the church to become that glorious Bride in the earth that fulfills its last days’ commission. They have been involved in planting churches and leading mission teams into other nations, equipping local believers and churches in power ministry. Together they co-lead a vibrant, healing community of believers who are preparing for the greatest move of God in history. Miracles and the supernatural works of the Kingdom of God are abundant in their ministry. Both Paul and Margie are powerful teachers and writers.
As a church family, we recognize that Paul and Margie are more than just "pastors" in the traditional understanding of the role. They are a spiritual father and mother, and they are raising up sons and daughters in many nations around the world. In addition to pastoral ministry, Paul and Margie are pursuing a vision from the Lord to provide an apostolic resource center that impacts Montana, the Northwest region, the United States, and many nations around the world. To this end, they minister extensively in other nations. In addition, they have founded Fire School, a training school for radical disciples of Jesus.
Paul and Margie have 4 children, all serving in the Kingdom, and 13 grandchildren.
Paul and Margie are ordained ministers of Global Awakening, the ministry of Randy Clark.
John and Unisha Arends
John is an associate pastor at The River. John oversees many areas of ministry at The River, including worship, media, Encounter Young Adults, and missions teams. He is a powerful teacher and has a passion for people to encounter God's supernatural power, truth, and love. John actively works to see this generation raised up into an unstoppable, on-fire force that lives to love God, even in sacrificial holiness.
As a songwriter and recording artist, John frequently leads worship at churches, conferences, and events locally, across the United States, and internationally. Many of his cutting-edge worship songs are being sung around the world. One of his greatest joys is raising up worship leaders and worship teams in other nations. (More information about John's music is available on johngabrielarends.com.)
John graduated from Regent University with a degree in professional communication. He is married to his beautiful bride Unisha, and they have four sons.
John is an ordained minister of Global Awakening, the ministry of Randy Clark.
Don and Toni Robinson
Don and Toni Robinson are assistant pastors at The River, overseeing small groups. They have a strong counseling ministry to bring people into freedom from bondage, and they are recognized for their Godly wisdom. They also have a passion for prayer, seeing many powerful breakthroughs and miracles as a result. The two of them have over 20 years of pastoral experience, including helping our church planting efforts in Montana to those in the cowboy/rural lifestyle.
Joshua and Tyla Kauffman
Joshua and Tyla are on staff as our youth pastors. They have huge hearts and a passion to see teens find Jesus and walk out their God-given destiny. Many youth find them to be like a second mom and dad. We are grateful to have them on our team.
Jody Skalet
Jody Skalet has been serving in the office at The River for many years. She handles all the complexities of our finances, along with answering phones and connecting with people in the church family. If you call our church office, Jody is likely to be the friendly voice on the other end of the line.
Tanaia Wise
Tanaia is on staff as an administrative assistant to our pastoral staff team. She is full of fiery passion for Jesus, and she is often at work behind-the-scenes to make all of our ministries better than they otherwise would’ve been. In addition, she helps administrate Fire School and young adults ministry.