DAVE HANEY
Dave’s passion for leading a church for people who don’t like church has shaped his ministry. Dave and his wife, Diane, have three grown daughters; Cayah, Leah and Kaitlyn, all of whom have wound up in Austin, not simply to be near their family, but just because Austin is that awesome.
Favorite thing about Austin: The diversity and creativity... tacos.
JODI EVANS
As the Director of Groups and First Impressions, Jodi brings her passion for people, creativity, and connection to life. She found Riverbend in 2021 through small groups and instantly felt at home - drawn in by the authenticity and sense of community. With a background in hospitality, over 20 years as a pastry chef, and a touch of interior design, Jodi has always loved crafting spaces and experiences that feel warm and welcoming. Now, she’s grateful for the opportunity to use those gifts to help others grow in their faith and find meaningful connection. Jodi has called Austin home since 2009 and enjoys life here with her teenage daughter.
Favorite thing about Austin: The ever-growing food scene.
Email: jevans@riverbend.com
DIANE HANEY
Diane has found Riverbend to be the most awesome place to support her husband, Dave. But it has also become the place where she has found deep passion and purpose in serving and connecting with women on their journey of faith. Spending time with her three grown daughters is Diane’s greatest past time.
Favorite thing about Austin: Walking around downtown; the lake and the hills
Email: dehaney@riverbend.com
KEVIN HEDGES
Kevin, his wife Mindy, and daughter Grace, are transplants from the San Francisco Bay Area by way of the foothills of Denver. Experiencing and embracing Austin with the love of Jesus, they hope to live out the blessing that everyday we are all waking up to what God is already doing.
Favorite thing about Austin: It used to be Rainey street… Now it's gotta be its well-deserved rep as a foodie town. Yum. Oh, and pretty much all-around the friendliest people anywhere in the country.
Email: khedges@riverbend.com
STEPHANIE ROLLINS
Stephanie Rollins recently joined Riverbend as an associate teaching pastor. Before her call to full-time ministry, Stephanie practiced law as a criminal prosecutor. She specialized in child abuse prosecution, helping to protect and advocate for the most vulnerable. While she graduated with an undergraduate degree from SMU, she is a proud Longhorn, having earned her jurisprudence doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. It was there she met her husband Derek, with whom she shares three beautiful children. Stephanie spends her free time writing, and you might find her contributions on the women’s ministry newsletter, her personal blog, or in a Sunday morning sermon. She loves reading, queso, her Bernese Mountain dog, decorating for holidays, and a trillion other things.
Favorite thing about Austin: The green spaces, the live music scene, and the city’s cultural quirkiness and laid-back vibe.
Email: srollins@riverbend.com
AUDREY PARKER
Audrey is excited - and still a bit surprised - to find herself working in ministry and loving it. She was raised agnostic and had a life-altering experience of God in 2006 that changed Everything. Audrey is most passionate about helping people with inner wounds experience transformation and a refreshing sense of newness in their faith. So naturally, the Deeper Journey course offered here is exactly her jam! Audrey is blessed to attend Riverbend with her dear friend (and ex-husband) Jason and their two vibrant sons, Christopher and Jack.
Favorite thing about Austin: The collective embrace of weirdness, creativity, and out-of-the-boxiness.
Email: aparker@riverbend.com
MARK JOHNSON
A Baby Boomer himself, Mark oversees the Boomer Ministries here at Riverbend. After working in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years, Mark found his profession interfering with his passion for Jesus and serving others. As a result, Mark left the public sector to pursue full-time ministry and has treasured each day he is allowed to share his faith with others and meet them where they are in their faith Journey. Mark and his wife Tracy have been married for more than 30 years and have 5 children 2 of which are still living at home.
Favorite thing about Austin: Sunset at the Lake, the search for the perfect burger and (moving from Michigan) nearly any Mexican Food restaurant.
Email: mjohnson@riverbend.com
SARAH SHAFFER
Although born and raised in central Kentucky, Sarah has called Texas home for over thirty years. Shortly after moving to Austin she and her husband Marc joined the Riverbend family, prompted by Sarah’s grandmother who loved watching Gerald Mann on TV. Sarah & Marc have two grown daughters, Dylan and Brooke, as well as a dog Alice and cat Milo. Besides loving her family, Sarah enjoys traveling, reading, cultivating relationships and creating beautiful spaces. Whenever she has free time, Sarah is exploring Austin, walking or running Lady Bird Lake, hiking the greenbelt and discovering cozy coffee shops and bookstores.
Favorite thing about Austin: The variety of things to do outdoors… hiking, biking, picnicking, kayaking, SUPs, outdoor music, festivals and more!
Email: sshaffer@riverbend.com
KACY LYNN HILL
Kacy was born and raised in Austin and attended Texas A&M University from 2017 to 2023. There she received her bachelor of science in psychology and master's degree in public health. Kacy’s desire is to continue to grow in faith and love through being the hands and feet of Jesus. Her passion is promoting wellness so others can live a quality life. Kacy is an advocate of a holistic health approach that involves fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Caring for others, listening to others, and loving others are most important to Kacy. She is so grateful to be part of the Riverbend family!
Favorite thing about Austin: Exploring the trails and good eats!
Email: khill@riverbend.com
BRIAN RAWSON
Brian and his wife, Carol have raised three boys: Luke, Justin, and Will. An Austin native, and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Brian spent three decades serving Texans as a public official. His passion for serving this city he loves led him to pursue seminary, with a major emphasis on Urban Ministry. Today, you can find Brian and Carol on Austin’s frontlines serving the marginalized and impoverished, and leading initiatives to bring Christ to our extraordinary city.
Favorite thing about Austin: “The vibrancy and diversity of this place. I was born and raised here, but I still discover new adventures regularly. I was raised in North Austin, raised my own family in South Austin, and now live right in the middle of downtown Austin. It’s all good.”
Email: brawson@riverbend.com
THIAGO DUZZI
Thiago and his wife, Raphaella have two children: Micael and Sara. Together, they recently moved to Austin from Dallas, Texas where Thiago and Raphaella both graduated from seminary at Christ For The Nations Institute. Originating from Brazil, Thiago worked for years in the oil business in South America until he was called into ministry. Thiago is a humble man with a servant’s heart, and he looks forward to blessing families across the frontlines in our community, and at Riverbend Church.
Favorite thing about Austin: He’s just now learning about this amazing city, but already he enjoys the outdoors, the people, and of course the opportunity to serve the Kingdom of God here. He’s looking forward to calling Austin home and raising his family here.
Email: tduzzi@riverbend.com
BAILEY HUFFMAN
Bailey is a Texas State University graduate and an Austinite to his core. He is super excited to be working with students at Riverbend and wants to help them understand who God has called them to be. Bailey has a heart for serving others and wants everyone that he encounters to feel the love that Jesus has for them. He has a huge passion for developing deep and meaningful relations with others and wants to see God work uniquely through those relationships. Bailey has a vision to see the church as part of the community rather than the community being a part of the church. He loves all things outdoors and will find any excuse to bring his dog Bill along to explore the beautiful city of Austin.
Favorite thing about Austin: Hands down all the food around town.
Email: bhuffman@riverbend.com
