Dave
Griewe: Lead Pastor
pastordg@aol.com
Dave
was born and raised in Southern California. Having lived and
served in ministry in the city, country, mountains, beach, and the
desert, he has a developed varied background in experience and culture.
He and his wife, Cathy, have three grown children; Heather who is
married to Jesse Buchholz, Amy married to Spencer Basner, and Emily who
is a student and cheerleader at Boise State University.
Dave
and his family recently moved to Eagle, ID, from Las Vegas,
Nevada, where he planted a seeker-sensitive church. Prior to starting
the church in Las Vegas, Dave took a five-year-old church, in a small
town in Southeast Wisconsin, from 175 to 300 in less than one year
using a seeker-sensitive style of ministry.
Dave
attended college on a football scholarship, a four-year varsity
letterman. While at college, he established a Fellowship of Christian
Athlete’s program and served as the first president of that
organization at CLCU. He played in the 1977 N.A.I.A. National
Championship football game in Southern California. After his graduation
Dave was offered an invitation to walk on with the Dallas Cowboys as an
offensive lineman, however, as thrilling as that was, he felt the call
to ministry and chose to follow God into full time ministry instead.
Dave
has been involved in ministry since 1973 both part-time and
full-time. He has been involved in, and was a founding member of The
National Network of Youth Ministries. He served in nearly every facet
of ministry including, Jr. High, Sr. High and College youth ministries,
Director of Student Ministries, Small Groups, Staff Training,
Leadership Training, Evangelism, Discipleship, Sunday School,
Children's Ministries, Adult & Children's Sports Programs, Bible
Studies, Campus Ministries, Camps and Retreats, Mission Trips, Choir
Tours, and Social Activities.
As
a popular speaker, Dave has spoken at churches, camps, retreats,
Division I football team chapels, public & private schools,
training seminars, and in local correctional institutions.
Dave
has a strong passion to reach out and share the good news of
Jesus. His mission is to reach non-churched people and lead them into a
life changing relationship with Jesus.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Don
Steinke: Pastor of
Connections and Small Groups
rivergroupguy@aol.com
Don
and Debbie have been married since 1984. They have three
children Jeremy who is 23 and works at a local restaurant; Ashley who
is 19 and is studying Human Anatomy at Biola University; and Hunter who
is 6 and a first grader.
Don
was born and raised in Southern California, grew up close to the
beach and the mountains and loves them both. His father is a
restaurant entrepreneur owning many restaurants since before Don was
born giving Don a passion for the Restaurant business too. Don has
managed numerous restaurants even owning a restaurant in Boise for a
short time. He loves food and loves to cook and he still provides
banquet services whenever he can.
Don
attended college at UC Davis as a freshman and transferred to Biola
University where he graduated in June, 1985. His degree is in
Biblical studies and theology. Don also attended Talbot
Theological Seminary for one year.
He
has served on staff at several churches in many different capacities
including Jr. High, Sr. High, College, children, evangelism,
administration, preaching, teaching, adult ministries, and camp
speaker. His primary gifts are in the areas of teaching and
evangelism and his passion is to take as many people to heaven with him
as he can.
Don
loves being outdoors doing just about anything, especially
hunting. A favorite past time is camping with his family and
friends. His hobbies include hunting, reloading, fishing, skiing,
jet skiing, cooking, and reading. Humor is important to Don who
loves comedy, laughing, and practical jokes, especially when he’s
pulling them. His favorite music is rock, especially by Christian
artists like Skillet, Seventh Day Slumber, and Reliant K.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Susie
Tilton:
Children's Director
susie@riverchristianchurch.com
Susie’s
life motto is “Life is an adventure…enjoy
the journey!” There is so much to celebrate and she can
always find a reason to have a party! She has a passion for children
and youth and loves to spend time getting to know them, being a support
to them and most of all introducing them to Christ as early as possible.
Susie
and her husband Ryan are long time residents of Boise. They have
five children - Destiny of Burley, ID; Melanie (and son-in-law
Gabe) of Milliken, CO; Hailee who is just finishing her first semester
at UNC in Greely, CO; Logan who is a sophomore at Boise High and Amy a
freshman at North Jr. High. They also have three sweet
grandchildren- Lexi, Jakobi, Oakland, and they will welcome one more in
the spring!
Susie
has been a member of First Baptist Church, Boise for many
years. She committed her life to Christ at a young age and has
been involved in ministry since her youth. Her volunteer support
has included many areas including; all areas of children’s
ministry, banquets, skits and dramas, working with youth, missions, FBC
food bank, small group leadership and various activities in between.
After
many years of volunteer service, Susie took a staff position as
Children’s Director at First Baptist Church Boise. Her
greatest training came from the wisdom and examples of earlier
generations. Additional training: Willow Creek conferences, NWCC
conferences, and Saddleback conferences.
Above
all, growth has come from continuing to read God’s
Word. Susie says, “Family and friends … relationship
not religion ….celebrate always…Life is an Adventure-
Enjoy the Journey!”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phil
Eastman:
Worship Leader/Youth Director:
strikeyouth@aol.com
Phil
was born in Boise and had the privilege of being raised in a
strong Christian home. When he was nine he accepted Christ. Shortly
after that his family started attending Bridgepoint Church (then
Broadway Avenue Baptist Church).
When
Phil entered the sixth grade he started attending the youth at
Bridgepoint and jumped right in helping out. As a senior in high school
he started leading worship on Wednesday nights for the youth group and
continued that ministry until he felt the call to start
“STRIKE” the youth ministry at The River. Phil received
excellent youth ministry training having served in two youth
internships under the direction of Keith Harrington, the Youth Pastor
at Bridgepoint.
Phil
has a comfortable style with students and connects well with them.
He believes that relationships are the basis for the youth culture
today more than any other generation and works hard to build tight knit
relationships between the students and the youth staff.
"I
look forward to developing a fun and engaging youth group at the
River. My dream is to have an effective outreach and discipleship
program with an intense focus on ‘purpose’ to help students
discover who they are and in turn have a positive effect on the culture
around them.”
