Our Team
Our staff has thoughtfully laid out sessions to share experiences and lessons we have learned while in ministry. We want to help you adapt the strategies for success to help reach your communities.
Denny & Cheryl Curran
In 1993, Denny Curran sensed a clear call to central Minnesota. What began as a simple prayer meeting with six people soon became the foundation for River of Life in Cold Spring, MN. From those humble beginnings, the church has grown steadily and is now in its second generation of leadership,
with Kirby St. John serving as lead pastor.
Over the years, River of Life has helped plant multiple churches, expanding its mission to reach more people for Christ. Pastor Denny’s heart for the rural church and his creative approach to ministry have helped set a standard for effective, innovative rural outreach.
Denny and his wife, Cheryl, have four children and nine grandchildren,
making church planting and ministry a true family calling.
Founding Pastor - River of Life Church
Kirby & Desiree St. John
Kirby St. John served as a youth pastor for many years with a deep heart to see students’ lives transformed. After faithfully serving in the local church, he went on to serve as the Minnesota District Youth Director, where he inspired youth pastors and students across the state to live authentically for Christ.
Today, Kirby and Desiree serves as the lead pastor of River of Life Church. He continues to pursue the lost and raise up the next generation with authenticity, vision, and a passion to see lives transformed and communities impacted for Christ.
Kirby and Desiree have three children. Throughout the years ministry has always come from doing life with others and being authentic. Their children serve alongside them
supporting the ministry at ROL and around the world.
Lead Pastor - River of Life Church 
Derrick & Ashley Benoit
Worship & Creative Arts Pastor
Derrick & Ashley Benoit have served at River of Life Church for over 10 years leading the Creative Arts Department. The Benoit's have a heart and desire to train up young people to lead worship for the rural church and into a greater relationship with Jesus. They are driven by a desire to equip the rural church through discipleship, resources, and songwriting. Their pursuit of modern creative elements has transformed
River of Life to better reach young families.
Dillon & McKenzie Patterson
Dillon and McKenzie have served on staff for 10 years, leading students and adults to discover their talents and dreams. Together, they are passionate about helping people discover their God-given potential—whether in life or in ministry.
Dillon serves as the Discipleship Pastor, helping people grow deeper in their journey with Christ. He is also gifted in videography and creates impactful videos that support the ministries of River of Life. McKenzie serves as the Executive Administrator at River of Life while also assisting with Life Groups.
* Retreat Contact -
McKenzie Patterson
mckenzie@riveroflifeag.org
Discipleship Pastor & Executive Admin
Connections Pastor
Tammy Lindell Strong life groups don't happen by accident—they are built through intentional structure, consistent leadership development, and a clear pathway for growth. In this breakout session, Tammy and Dillon will share practical strategies for creating a year-round life group ministry that helps people connect, grow, and stay engaged.
Learn how to structure life group sessions, develop effective leader training and support systems, identify and raise up new leaders, and create a culture where groups multiply naturally.
Youth Team
Caden St. John, Steve & Brooke MaxwellIn this breakout session, our youth ministry team will share practical strategies that have helped us create sustainable systems, develop leaders, and maximize the resources you already have.
We'll cover ministry structure and programming, how to track meaningful data that drives growth, recruiting and retaining adult leaders, empowering student leaders, and making wise decisions when resources are limited. No matter the size group you're leading, you'll walk away with practical tools, proven systems, and encouragement to take your next step forward.
Kids Team
Mark Eskew & Kaleb Eskew In this breakout session, our Kids Ministry team will share practical insights on selecting age-appropriate curriculum, utilizing effective ministry resources, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and establishing security processes that help families feel confident and cared for.
We'll also discuss how to identify, equip, and empower lay leaders to take ownership and lead effectively within your ministry. Whether you're launching a new kids ministry, rebuilding a team, or looking to strengthen existing systems, you'll leave with practical tools, proven strategies, and actionable next steps to help your ministry grow and thrive.
Media & Marketing Director
Hannah SchaumannDiscover how to use free resources, effective social media strategies, volunteer teams, and a guest-friendly website to expand your church's reach. Learn practical tools and proven methods for communicating your mission and connecting with your community.
Business & Finance Director
Rachel LoukinenA church budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet—it's a tool that helps turn vision into reality. In this breakout session, our Finance Director will share practical principles for building a budget that aligns resources with your church's mission and priorities.
Learn how to maximize available funds, create healthy financial systems, evaluate spending through the lens of vision, and plan strategically for both current ministry needs and future growth.
Campus Pastor
Joel & Dani BauerHear from our campus pastor how to launch and grow a church by prioritizing relationships, building trust in the community, and partnering with local churches. Learn practical strategies for starting small, scaling wisely, and leading in a way that matches your resources while maximizing kingdom impact.
Throughout the retreat you will have the chance to speak to many of our staff members and ask questions about their ministry. Our staff loves to pour into other churches and share to be able to quip you to feel confident in your ministry.
