RV LI I L VR RV LI I L VR RV LI
RIVER VALLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
2020-2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS 02
Pastor Rob and Becca
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Creative Focus
04
What is RVLI?
18
Track Lead Story
06
FAQS
20
Student Life
08
Student Story
21
Schedule
10
Academics
22
River Valley Church
11
Tuition
24
Alumni Story
12
SEU Classes
26
Our Leader
14
Pastoral Focus
28
What’s Next?
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
RIVER VALLEY
PASTORS ROB & BECCA
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“THE NEXT GENERATION ISN’T JUST TOLERATED; IT IS EMBRACED, CHAMPIONED AND LOVED.” At River Valley, the next generation isn’t just tolerated; it is embraced, championed and loved. Our heart has become “what can we do for you?” rather than, “what can you do for us?” We want you to do more than we ever could. You are right behind us, pushing us forward. Through River Valley Leadership Institute, we strive to help each student grow through a balance of encouragement, discipleship and development. Our goal through RVLI is to give you the and change the world. The best is yet to come!
OUR PASTORS
competency to advance the Kingdom of God
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RVLI IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE INTERNS IN THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH ALONG WITH INTENTIONAL AND PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP WHAT IS RVLI? DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON MINISTRY EXPERIENCE, WHILE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH We believe that before a leader can lead others, they ďŹ rst must learn to lead themselves. We put an emphasis on the journey God has you on and do our best to help you learn to identify and follow His voice in your life.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RVLI exists to equip new leaders in their process of discovering and developing their God-given gifts through intentional leadership development and hands-on ministry experience.
HANDS-ON MINISTRY EXPERIENCE The mission of River Valley Church is to lead people into an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe the greatest vehicle for expanding the Kingdom of God is the local church. Each week, RVLI interns will have the opportunity to implement what they are learning and have access to a wide range of highly experienced and nationally recognized
leaders
to
help
them
take
their
leadership journey to the next level. As interns discover their purpose in ministry, it is our job to help launch them into all God has for them.
COLLEGE CREDIT We believe academics are a crucial part of the RVLI experience which is why we strive to create valuable learning
experiences.
Students
can
earn
an
Associates or Bachelors Degree in Ministerial Leadership after two to four years in the program. Students will take online classes and engage others through cohorts while implementing what they learn in real-time ministry contexts.
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F R E Q U E N T LY A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
WHAT WILL MY WEEK LOOK LIKE? The schedule of each week varies depending on your track. All interns are required to serve on the weekend at their campus as well as attend the monthly RVLI Leadership Labs, monthly RVLI cohorts and other ministry specific events. For those participating in SEU, please refer to the Weekly Schedule on page 21.
DO YOU OFFER HOUSING FOR INTERNS JOINING FROM OUT OF STATE? RVLI has limited dorm/apartment style housing available on a limited basis for our Experience and Protégé students. Housing is offered on a first-come first-serve basis; however, those coming from out of town have a priority over local students. Interns are required to pay monthly rent.
WHAT TRACKS CAN I CHOOSE FROM? We have different tracks you can choose from depending on your desired ministry focus. Those tracks include Campus, Youth, Kids, Lifegroups, Women’s Ministry, Pastoral Care, Global Project, Live Production, Film, Worship, Marketing, Social Media/Photography, and
HOW LONG DOES RVLI LAST? We have two internship seasons on the RVLI calendar; June-August and September-May.
Graphic Design.
WHICH MODEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?” AM I ABLE TO EARN COLLEGE CREDITS DURING MY INTERNSHIP?
Discovery Model: For those who are looking to gain
Yes, you can enroll in Southeastern University (a region-
looking for an immersive ministry experience and want
ally accredited university*) to work towards a degree. After two years in the program you can complete your AML (Associates of Ministerial Leadership) or after four years in the program you can finish with your BSML
a deeper understanding of ministry yet have limited time availability. Experience Model: For those who are to grow as a leader. Protégé Model: Designed for those who have completed a year of Experience Model and are interested in pursuing vocational ministry.
(Bachelors of Science in Ministerial Leadership).
DO I NEED A CAR? CAN I BE ENROLLED IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WHILE BEING IN RVLI?
Yes. Some ministry opportunities will require reliable transportation during the week and on the weekends.
Yes. This internship is most beneficial when coupled with an educational component. If you choose not to go through SEU, we would highly encourage you to enroll in North Central University.
AM I ABLE TO BE CREDENTIALED AS A MINISTER THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP? Yes. Through your classes with SEU you can begin your credentialing process to become a minister with the Assemblies of God.
*Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southeastern University.
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THERE IS SURELY A FUTURE HOPE FOR YOU, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.
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PROVERBS 23:18
JESSIE SIERADZKI I didn’t know about RVLI until my friend came back home to Michigan after her first year interning at River Valley Church. It seemed like an incredible opportunity, but I wasn’t interested in moving to another state to pursue it for myself. I had just graduated high school and had I didn’t have much direction beyond that. It seemed like my options were either to go to film school costing a fortune, or going to traditional college and choose a major I wasn’t sure about. But that summer while I was serving at camp, God spoke to me and told me to pray about my future. As I did I heard Him clearly say that RVLI was my next step. I interviewed to join the River Valley Film Team as an intern, and accepted a position beginning in the fall. My experience in RVLI has been greater than anything I could have imagined. I expected I would be watching over someone's shoulder or organizing equipment, but that wasn't the case. My first week included
2019 FILM INTERN
no idea where I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to study filmmaking, but
filming music videos with River Valley Worship in a music studio. I was welcomed in by everyone around me, especially those on the film team. The way God has grown me by pushing me past my comfort zone is astonishing. I’ve learned to work on a team, confidently asking for help and seeking opportunities to improve my skills. I couldn’t be more grateful for this program. RVLI has given me the opportunity to broaden my horizon and experience a life-giving environment of learning and growth. I am here to pursue the things God has called me to with no fear but hope for the future.
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ACADEMICS
SOUTHEASTERN
NORTH CENTRAL
STUDY ABROAD
River Valley Church and Southeastern
If you would like to enroll in a
River Valley Church partners with 250+
University (SEU) have partnered to
traditional university experience, North
missionaries and ministries all over the
bring you a world-class educational
Central University is right in our
world. RVLI creates the opportunity for
experience. Through SEU, you have
backyard and is a great Assemblies of
you to study abroad while you are a
the option of earning an Associates or
God University that we highly
part of our program.
Bachelors Degree in Ministerial
recommend.
Leadership online alongside your
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internship experience with RVLI.
TUITION
RVLI EXPERIENCE DISCOVERY MODEL EXPERIENCE MODEL $300 $1000
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE $9580
Gain hands-on ministry experience while partnering with experts in the ďŹ eld
Combines RVLI Experience with the
of your choice. Engage ministry on a whole new level as you have the
opportunity to earn your degree with SEU
opportunity to lead, innovate, and design new ministry paradigms.
(based on 15 hours per semester).
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SEU CLASSES
ASSOCIATE OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP (AML) • Foundational Core = 34 Credit Hours • Ministerial Leadership Core = 15 Credit Hours • General Electives = 12 Credit Hours
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP (BSML) • Foundational Core = 56 Credit Hours • Ministerial Leadership Studies = 33 Credit Hours • Ministerial Practicum and General Electives = 33 Credit Hours
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MINISTRY MINISTRY FOCUS
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MINISTRY FOCUS
“THE BEST LEADERS DON'T LEAD FROM A PLACE OF TITLE OR POSITION, THEY LEAD FROM A PLACE OF INFLUENCE.” CAMPUS Grow in your ability to lead and develop leaders and
CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
steward the church in the areas of discipleship, generosity and serving. Gain experience in: Communication, counseling, administration, pastoral care, discipleship, sermon preparation and execution.
NEXT GEN Choose among Kids, Youth and 20+ tracks as you gain insight into what it takes to develop and lead the next generation. Gain experience in: sermon preparation and curriculum design.
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Event + service planning, discipleship, small groups,
MISSIONS Cultivate a heart for the unreached people groups as you work with our Global Project leaders. Gain experience in: Local + global outreach, global team planning, missionary communication, foreign relations + communication and working with other cultures.
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CREATIVE CREATIVE FOCUS
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CREATIVE FOCUS
“IT’S OUR FOUNDATIONAL BELIEF THAT ONE MOMENT IN HIS PRESENCE CHANGES EVERYTHING.” WORSHIP Grow as a musician or vocalist as you work with weekend experiences. Gain experience in: Songwriting, live mixing, music directing, musicality and worship development.
PRODUCTION Be developed and learn the technical side of ministry as you create the atmosphere for people to encounter God in an authentic way. Gain experience in:
CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
our River Valley Worship team facilitating inspiring
Stage design, lighting engineering, service production and stage management.
CREATIVE EMPHASIS Choose from any area of ministry and use your unique skills to add creative emphasis. In working alongside your desired ministry team, your skills will be developed as you have the opportunity to collaborate with the River Valley creative team to support them with your creative giftings. Gain experience in: Web development, graphic design and marketing OR Videography, photography, and social media.
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GLOBAL PROJECT ASSOCIATE PASTOR
GLOBAL PROJECT ASSOCIATE PASTOR
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JOSH KRIEGLER
JOSH KRIEGLER
“What good is experience, if it isn’t shared with others to learn from and grow?” ROI. Return on Investment. This is the lens through which I have grown accustomed to seeing different opportunities or initiatives. What is the net gain or loss of me investing my resources (time, money and energy)? I spent much of my young adult life working for large corporations, where ROI meant focusing on the profit to be made, and that profit was always measured in dollars. In my role as an Associate Pastor within River Valley Global Project, I have learned to change the focus on that lens, from dollars to development. And, not just the development of an individual or team, but the development of God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Serving as a Track Lead with RVLI has been the most rewarding aspect of my role as a pastor. I have always valued and wanted to pour into the next generation, but that desire has been taken to a new level through RVLI. I realize that I may not be able to carry every torch to the finish line, but I know that when I invest into those coming behind me, the torch is in good hands. As it says in Matthew 5:15 “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” The same should be said about our knowledge and experience. What good is experience, if it isn’t shared with others to learn from and grow? My prayer is that through my role as a Track Lead, I am able to invest in the lives of my interns and help equip them to pursue the calling God has put on their lives. I pray that through shared experiences, we can help to challenge and push each other to grow in the ways God is calling us to grow. Leading the Global Project Track of RVLI has given me the opportunity to meet and mentor some amazing individuals and I am excited to see where God takes them next. At River Valley Church, we know we are called to send out our best, to wherever God calls them as missionaries, and the interns we have in RVLI are definitely some of our best!
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COHORTS
LIFETEAMS
Cohorts are a time for you to connect with interns within
Each campus has an amazing team of volunteers waiting
your track, hear from amazing leaders within our church,
for you to join them. Lifeteams make a difference in the
and grow in community with other interns. Cohorts allow
lives of every person who comes through our doors
for discussion based teaching, and are a great time to
from the parking lot to the platform. We encourage you
process what God is doing in and through you. Cohorts
to join a team, make new friends, and own the
happen once a month in the evening, and meet in coffee
atmosphere at your campus so those who are yet to
shops and homes.
come will be warmly welcomed and experience the life-giving presence of God!
LEADERSHIP LABS
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STUDENT LIFE
Leadership Labs are a time for you to be together with all
GLOBAL PROJECT
interns once a month and develop as leaders. There will be
Every month, teams of volunteers from River Valley
snacks, leadership teachings, small group discussions and
Church travel around the world to help meet physical
connections with interns from other campuses and tracks.
and spiritual needs and share the love of Jesus Christ. It
This will easily be one of your favorite experiences of RVLI.
is our goal that every person in our church goes on a Global Team within 4 years of coming to River Valley.
LIFEGROUPS
Lifegroups meet at all different times, days and locations and there are hundreds of different groups to choose from! Being in a Lifegroup will help you build healthy relationships with others, grow in your relationship with Jesus and serve through Local Projects.
Global Teams can cost as little as $400 for a weekend team or as much as $4000 for a longer 10–12 day team but no matter how long or how much, going is always worth it.
M
RVLI Academic Day; SEU Study Hall; SEU *Online Classes
S
Weekend Ministry
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Staff Prayer and Track Lead Day
T Midweek Ministry Events
W Day Off; *SEU Online Classes
T Day Off
F Evening Weekend Ministry
S
LOOKING BACK RIVER VALLEY CHURCH IN 2019
6,493
Commitments to Christ
825
Water Baptisms
$6,238,368
Missions Giving
823
Missionaries Supported
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LO L
APRIL 4, 2021 Easter
JUNE 7-8, 2021
River Valley Church Conference
October 15-16, 2021
Sparkle Women’s Conference
OKING FORWARD OOKING FORWARD 23
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“I AM THANKFUL FOR THE 4 YEARS SPENT IN RVLI CREATING A DISCIPLINE WITHIN ME TO ALWAYS PUT CHRIST FIRST.”
GABI O’ROUKE SHAKOPEE YOUTH PASTOR too easy to do that within ministry tasks as well. RVLI
was stepping into an incredible journey that would
taught me that before anything else, I am called to keep
shape my character, solidify my calling and cultivate a
my eyes fixed on Christ. This challenged me to see what
deeper heart for Christ within me. I stepped into RVLI in
God was doing in the mundane and exciting parts of
a season of questioning what God had next for me as I
my day. It also challenged me to never forget the “why”.
came off a very difficult season. As I stepped into my
As I am now in full-time ministry, I am thankful for the 4
first semester of interning, I was amazed at the leader-
years spent in RVLI creating a discipline within me to
ship within the campus I served at, what God was
always put Christ first and allow everything else to
stirring within me, and how He was refining me. It was a
follow. Second, I grew in my character. Character
season filled with healing, rediscovering who I was, and
development may sound great on paper, but it is not
allowing God to work out a lot within me.
easy when you are in the middle of it. RVLI taught me that your character is what sustains your calling. Far too
RVLI develops future leaders through a variety of ways.
many times we can get caught up in what we want to do
First, you get hands on experience doing ministry in the
instead of focusing on who we need to become to get
local church. Serving at a campus within the Youth
there. Through RVLI, God opened my eyes to who I
Ministry Track, I got a behind the scenes look at what it
needed to become, and I got the honor of walking
truly meant to be a Youth Pastor. Hands-on ministry
through a beautiful season full of refinement and
experience taught me the intangible things you cannot
encouragement. Lastly, through RVLI I grew in my
learn in a classroom and birthed a deeper passion
competency within ministry. I always had a desire to do
within me to see the local church expand around the
full-time ministry, and RVLI gave me the exposure and
world. Second, RVLI develops future leaders through
opportunity to see and learn what that truly meant. I was
Leadership Labs where interns get the opportunity to
a full time Pastoral Studies Student and loved my
hear from various leaders within our church and around
education throughout my college career, however, the
the world. Not only do you get to soak in wisdom from
hands-on experience that RVLI offers taught me more
leaders ahead of you, but you get to do it within the
about ministry in those 4 years than I could have ever
context of community, ask questions, and process
imagined.
ALUMNI STORY
Jumping into RVLI at the age of 19, I had no idea that I
together. Sitting through Leadership Labs, I was honored and amazed at the rooms I got to be in with
RVLI is truly developing the next generation of future
various leaders in our church. Leadership Labs would
leaders,
challenge me to think higher, continue to allow God to
woman, and so much more. Ephesians 4:11 tells us that
chisel away at my character, and to become more
“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the
competent within my calling to ministry.
evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
Pastors,
missionaries,
businessman
and
to equip his
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ Through RVLI, I grew in many ways. First and foremost, I
may be built up ”. This is exactly what RVLI is doing and
grew in who I was as a Christ follower. It is easy to get
it was an honor to be a part of it and it is an honor to
busy in the day-to-day tasks of life and forget why you
continue to see RVLI build and expand the church
are doing them in the first place. Unfortunately, it is far
through equipping and raising up future leaders.
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OUR LEADER
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TERRY PARKMAN
NEXTGEN PASTOR In RVLI, we love to talk about how faithfulness to your
significant. That’s why we have designed ministry
next step unlocks your purpose. This is why I’m so
experiences unique to the call that God has for your life.
excited that you are considering RVLI for your next step!
Each ministry track gives you the opportunity to work
As an emerging leader, you have been designed to
side-by-side with experts in your desired field as they
change the world wherever you are through the gifts
work to develop you as a leader and as a follower of
and talents God has placed inside of you. Our heart is
Jesus. This open-access to River Valley leadership will
to help those gifts engage the world around you and
help you to not only see how ministry work is done, but
advance the Kingdom of God in ways we could only
it will give you a behind-the-scenes look at our process
imagine.
and approach to ministry.
We believe God created you for a greater purpose and
It’s your journey and we‘re excited to be a part of it!
gave you the desire to accomplish something
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WHAT’S NEXT?
1
APPLY You can apply online at rvli.org.
2
INTERVIEW You will be contacted after you apply to set up an interview.
3
SEU To get started with the SEU experience, visit partners.seu.edu/rivervalley
HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US rvli.org | rvli@rivervalley.org | 952-255-8800 29
RVLI.ORG