Riverbend Staff

We Invite you to get to know the men and women on the Riverbend Staff.

Pastors

Dr. David Haney, Senior Pastor

dhaney@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: Lead Spiritual Architect

Education & Ministry Experience: Degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Biola University. In ministry for over 35 years, 28 years as a Senior Pastor. Involved in preaching and teaching in churches and communities across the country and around the world.

How Long at Riverbend: Came to Riverbend from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2005

My Favorite Things: My Wife and Daughters; Family and Friends; Sports and Sports Cars. Philly Cheesesteaks, In-N-Out Burgers, El Chile Queso Flameado, My mom’s Blueberry Pancakes, My wife’s Chicken Casserole.  I’m a sucker for John Grisham Novels, or anything by Donald Miller, David Sedaris, Chuck Klosterman, Dave Barry, Mike Robertson or The Apostles John or Paul.

Peter Sleeper, Executive Pastor

psleeper@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: My main responsibility is to support our Senior Pastor by providing strategic guidance to all of our ministries and pastors. I also work closely with the Church Council, and the Coordinating and Personnel Committees.

Personal Ministry Calling: For several decades our society has been in the process of shifting from a culture of church goers to a culture with no church experience. I believe that God has called me to figure out what the Church needs to become in order to help post-Christian people find Christ. God has always recreated the Church for every new time and every new culture and I am excited to be part of that process.

Ministry History & Education: I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988 with a degree in Economics. After a short time at Fuller Seminary, I went to work as a manager and a buyer at a large Bay Area retailer and then as an accounts manager for a small tech company in the Silicon Valley. In 1994 I felt called back to ministry and renewed my pursuit of a Master of Divinity at Western Seminary. After graduating I spent several years as a pastor of small groups, singles and young adults. In 2001, I became the executive pastor of a large church in the Bay Area, where I also worked with Dr. Haney.

How Long at Riverbend: In 2005 my wife, three sons and I moved to Austin to join Dr. Haney’s team here at Riverbend.

My Favorite Things: I love traveling and going to the beach. I love surfing (yes, there’s surfing in Texas!) I love a good book or a good conversation. I love reading The Economist or watching CNBC (I’m a bit of a business nerd). I love hanging out with good friends; eating pizza or ice cream; and studying and teaching the Bible. But most of all I love my wife, my kids and my God.

Norm Schoenfeld, Pastor of Church Involvement

nschoenfeld@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: I work with many of our volunteer leaders and teams at the church including the Stewardship Committee, the Missions Committee & the Men’s Ministry teams. In addition most of the operational areas of the church report to me including: Events, Maintenance, IT, Communications, Frontline ministries, Front office, Riverbend Centre, Remembrance Gardens, Riverbend Church Foundation, and the Riverbend Neighborhood Development Centers.

Ministry Focus: I love to find ways for people to continue to grow spiritually as they gain an understanding of how God has uniquely wired them to serve others both here at Riverbend, and or outside the walls of our campus, using their experiences, talents, and gifts to help expand His Kingdom.

Education & Ministry Experience: Undergraduate degree at The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, and graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, CA. Was a business leader for 30 years and active volunteer at my church before following God’s call into full time vocational ministry at Riverbend Church.

How Long at Riverbend: An amazing 4 years!

My Favorite Things: Vacationing in Hawaii with my wife Barbara, family and or friends, visiting my daughter and her spouse in northern California and my son in the NY area.

Paulette Schwartz, Pastor of Care & Recovery Ministries

pschwartz@riverbend.com  

Responsibilities: Paulette works with Stephen Ministry, various support groups including 12-step recovery groups. She provides support through pastoral counseling which includes relationship issues, grief, illness and addiction issues as well as benevolent needs. She is responsible for purchases/management of the church bookstore. In addition she lends pastoral support to the women’s ministry leaders, the Riverbend Emmaus Community, as well as teaches on Sunday mornings in the Grace Lab.

Ministry Focus: To provide help and encouragement to people who are hurting physically, spiritually and emotionally. Preventive ministry is a focus to equip people with skills that help to facilitate spiritual and emotional growth.

Education & Ministry Experience: Graduate of the University of Texas, Austin; Masters of Arts (Pastoral Ministry) from Trinity Theological Seminary.

How Long at Riverbend: Our family has been members of Riverbend for over 28 years. Paulette’s been on staff for 18 years.

My Favorite Things: Visiting my grandchildren in Houston, reading books and going to movies with my husband, Bill. I love menu planning, food shopping, and food preparation.

Connie Borcherding, Pastor of Early Childhood

Responsibilities:  Leads the  Early Childhood Children's Ministry (Birth –5 yrs)  and supervises the Riverbend Christian School.  She directs volunteer leadership teams and collaborates with parents to promote their children’s spiritual formation.  She works strategically to develop biblical lessons that are engaging, relevant, creative and memorable experiences for children in relational small group  and large group theater.   She also is responsible for organizing Special Events like Riverbend's Fall Fest,  Easter Eggstravaganza & Vacation Bible School, as well as Special Ministries for Baby Dedications and Baptisms.

Ministry Focus:  To partner with parents to lay a foundation of faith and love to lead a child to the heart of God.  Riverbend’s Children’s Ministry champions the spiritual formation of every child by supporting and developing a loving and grace-filled relationship with Christ .

Education & Ministry Experience: Graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown; Masters of Music from the University of Texas at Austin.

How Long at Riverbend:  Connie and her husband, John, are charter members of Riverbend.  They have been part of the Riverbend Community for 31 years.  Connie has been on staff for since 1993.

My Favorite Things:  Spending time with her children, Jackie and Chad, and all of her family and friends,  as well as entertaining and home decorating.  She absolutely loves  traveling and attending creative arts events, concerts, and movies.  Her new interests are in social media and pinterest!

Dean Busboom, Pastor of Senior Adults

dbusboom@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: Planning programs and day trips for Senior Adults

Ministry Focus: Assisting senior adults in staying active in their retirement, focusing on their spiritual, social, physical and mental growth.

Education & Ministry Experience: Undergraduate degree from Centenary College in Shreveport, LA; Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. I have served parishes in Windsor, Co., Wichita Falls, TX. And Austin, TX. Retired Lutheran Pastor of 32 years.

How Long at Riverbend: I have been at Riverbend for 5 years in my present capacity, prior to that did 4 years of research for Dr. Mann.

My Favorite Things: Visiting our children and grandchildren attending their sporting events. I also enjoy working in the yard and garden. I also enjoy traveling and putting together tours to different places.

Andrew Carpenter, Pastor of Missions

acarpenter@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: Works with many of the volunteer leaders and teams at the church including those involved with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Career Transitions, Habitat for Humanity, Congregational Social Responsibility, International Missions, Neighborhood Development Centers, and other initiatives including school supply drives for “at risk” students, and Angel’s Afoot which is a Christmas gift program for children in need.

Ministry Focus: I desire to help individuals and groups look for ways to extend the love and grace of Jesus into the world around them. This grace can be shared next door, across town, or around the globe.

Education & Ministry Experience: Bachelors of Business Administration from Oklahoma Baptist University. Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. Andrew spent 4 years in marketing and management prior to entering full time ministry, in 1996. He has served on staff at churches in California and Texas. Prior to his current position, Andrew was the Pastor of Student Ministries here at Riverbend.

How Long at Riverbend: May 2003 – Present. 7 years

My Favorite Things: I love to spend time with my wife, Carmen and our two children. We enjoy exploring parks and wildlife but we don’t like to camp out. I love to read books that challenge my thinking and give me new ideas for the work I do.

Carlton Dillard, Pastor of Creative Arts

cdillard@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: Oversee all of the music and arts programs at the church. Conducts the Riverbend choir and orchestra and leads worship for the Celebration service on Sunday morning as well as producing all our large scale musical events. The television ministry leadership also reports to me.

Ministry Focus: To teach and inspire volunteer and professional singers and musicians to use their gifts for God to the best of their abilities. To lead in providing worship environments for our congregation to connect with God through music and the arts.

Education & Ministry Experience: Undergraduate work at Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas, University of Texas, Austin, and Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas. Has over 35 years experience as a worship pastor, songwriter, arranger, and conductor.

How Long at Riverbend: 21 years

My Favorite Things: Dining out with my wife Sharon, seeing our four children live successful happy lives, visiting with our grandchildren, playing with our two dogs Maggie and Zoe, and hanging out at the Elephant Room listening to Jazz, one of my great passions.

Kip Nanninga, Pastor of Student Ministries

knanninga@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: I bring spiritual coaching to the student ministry team, volunteer leaders, parents and students through vision, strategy, focus, teaching and building intentional relationships. I recently have been asked to sit on the Management Team, which brings overall leadership to Riverbend Church.

Ministry Focus: To see students become committed followers of Christ and position themselves as missionaries around the world in whatever profession they choose for their lives. I also desire that our student ministry would be agents of change in their city and world, through faith, compassion, justice and love.

Education & Ministry Experience: Undergraduate degree at Peru State College and Grace University with a B.S. in Education and Theology and graduate studies at Simpson and Crown Universities. Ordained and Licensed Minister through the Christian and Missionary Alliance, having been a pastor in student ministries for over 15 years before being recruited on staff at Riverbend Church in 2008.

How Long at Riverbend: 1 ½ Years

My Favorite Things: I absolutely love spending time with my wife Pearl, and 4 children, Josiah, Micah, Eli and Susie. And vacationing in the mountains of Colorado. We love to spend time in our neighborhood with families and friends. My favorite reads are David McCullough, Mark Driscoll, Jeff Shaara and Doris Kearns Goodwin. I love anything sports, The Office, Food Network and hope to take over Anthony Bourdain’s show someday.

Mike Robertson, Pastor of Mid-life Adults

mrobertson@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: I teach two classes each Sunday: Links is for couples 40 and up; Wings is for singles 40 and up. I also am the pastoral contact for the Journeys class and the Connected Parents class. In addition, I do typical pastor-type duties like weddings, funerals, baptisms, counseling, etc., as well as occasional preaching and writing.

Ministry Focus: Two recurring themes can be found in all I do. First, Jesus' commandment to love one another should be job number one for every follower of Christ, rather than being judgmental, legalistic or sanctimonious. Second, if God is indeed everywhere, then we can look for (and find!) Him in anything; I believe there is a spiritual component in every person, place and thing, if we seek to find it.

Education & Ministry Experience: Studied music at Baylor University. Started working in churches when I was 13, leading music. Spent years as a music and youth director, but originally came to Riverbend as a graphic designer. Ordained as a pastor in 2006.

How Long at Riverbend: Attending for 20 years, on staff for 11

My Favorite Things: My wife, Lisa, and my daughter, Lindsey, followed by books, music, movies, and popular culture of all sorts.      

David Sunde, Community Pastor

dsunde@riverbend.com

Responsibilities & Ministry Focus: David's primary focus is being involved with young single adults, young couples and families.  He’s also part of the Sunday morning teaching rotation and represents the interests of community groups at Riverbend on the Management Team.  As a part of the Community Group strategy at Riverbend, a primary focus is answering the question, what does it mean to BE the church not just GO to church?  Fundamental to this is that faith is at its best when it is both shared and practiced.  To that end, we want to facilitate communities that open up spiritual formation, deeper friendship, serving opportunities in an inclusive environment.

Education & Ministry Experience: David is a native son of San Francisco, California.  He holds an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University and Masters degree from Azusa Pacific University's Haggard School of Theology.  David has been involved in professional non-profit and spiritual leadership for over 15 years.  He was recruited away from leading a San Francisco-based non-profit consulting firm by Riverbend Church in 2006.  While serving on the Management Team at Riverbend, David works directly with young adults, young couples, and families. He champions the development of activist communities through group initiatives, faith experiments, teaching, and coaching.  These communities have been mobilized to serve and share in acts of compassion and generosity, both locally and globally.

How Long at Riverbend: Our family has been in Austin and at Riverbend since Aug.’06…and love it!

My Favorite Things: Spending superfluous time pulling my kids out of school, pitching batting practice, live music performed by somebody I know, being guest listed, Daddy-daughter Dates, running Town Lake with Laurel, Golf, the San Francisco Giants, eating local faire, chai tea, In & Out Burger, rooting for Norway in the Winter Olympics, remodeling projects with my Dad, and urban environments.

Todd Mears, Assistant Children's Minister

tmears@riverbend.com

Responsibilities: To bring an intense energy to the Chidren's Ministry of Riverbend Church and connect the future generations with the love of God.

Ministry Focus: To provide a safe, engaging environment for children to know God's love..

Education & Ministry Experience: Tons (To be continued soon)

How Long at Riverbend: Over a year.

My Favorite Things: Being funny, making videos, video editing, my family, and being in ministry.