Ron Vaught
Founder & Lead Pastor
Ron Vaught, apostle, pastor, and founder of The River Ministries, lives in Providence Forge, Virginia where he serves in local and international ministry through The River Church and The River Outreach Center. Ron’s purpose for creating The River Ministries in 2013 was to create an environment where people from all walks of life can experience the love of Christ as they heal, learn, and grow in their identity in the Lord and to advance God’s kingdom in all the earth.
Ron’s gifts of discernment, teaching, vision, and leadership, along with a heart for discipleship and a passion for the Word of God have created a kingdom culture that focuses on living out the Gospel, meeting the practical and spiritual needs of the local community, and loving people into relationship with Christ. Ron’s vision for The River is that it flows with God’s equipping power and love, drawing people into deeper relationship with the Lord and encouraging them to share Christ’s love in ever-expanding ripples throughout the communities where they live, work and travel.
Ron’s heart for underserved communities has led to ministry outreach locally as well as in India, South Africa, and Uganda. As an apostle, Ron is passionate about preparing world-changers who will go out and lead Outreach Centers that work with communities to care for people, demonstrating the love of God and inviting people into relationship with Christ. The River Outreach Center in Charles City (The ROC) is the first outreach center of this kind, partnering with churches, community service providers, and various ministries to support those in need while also introducing people to the love of Christ. Internationally, The River Ministries supports multiple churches and communities in Africa and India and is exploring ministry opportunities in Australia.
With a life scripture of Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” Ron is seeking the Lord and following obediently God’s directions to love others and to make disciples of all nations. As such, he looks forward to opening new Outreach Centers throughout the region, expanding international partnerships, and bringing new services and opportunities to The River Ministries community.
Ron’s gifts of discernment, teaching, vision, and leadership, along with a heart for discipleship and a passion for the Word of God have created a kingdom culture that focuses on living out the Gospel, meeting the practical and spiritual needs of the local community, and loving people into relationship with Christ. Ron’s vision for The River is that it flows with God’s equipping power and love, drawing people into deeper relationship with the Lord and encouraging them to share Christ’s love in ever-expanding ripples throughout the communities where they live, work and travel.
Ron’s heart for underserved communities has led to ministry outreach locally as well as in India, South Africa, and Uganda. As an apostle, Ron is passionate about preparing world-changers who will go out and lead Outreach Centers that work with communities to care for people, demonstrating the love of God and inviting people into relationship with Christ. The River Outreach Center in Charles City (The ROC) is the first outreach center of this kind, partnering with churches, community service providers, and various ministries to support those in need while also introducing people to the love of Christ. Internationally, The River Ministries supports multiple churches and communities in Africa and India and is exploring ministry opportunities in Australia.
With a life scripture of Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” Ron is seeking the Lord and following obediently God’s directions to love others and to make disciples of all nations. As such, he looks forward to opening new Outreach Centers throughout the region, expanding international partnerships, and bringing new services and opportunities to The River Ministries community.
Chris & Lisa Luck
Administration, ROC Campus Pastors & Charles City Outreach, Web Design, Social Media
Building big people and getting them plugged into where they need to be in the Body of Christ to help establish the Kingdom, are at the heart of what Chris & Lisa love to do. Encouraging and equipping the saints for ministry to develop Kingdom culture wherever they go....Chris & Lisa realize that the church must go outside the four walls in order to transform communities. Demonstrating a model for unity, cooperation, and partnerships in Charles City through the ROC, Chris & Lisa are excited to see how the Lord is releasing a powerful move of His Spirit in the county.
Pastors Chris and Lisa live in Charles City, VA , have been married for nearly 35 years, and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Pastors Chris and Lisa live in Charles City, VA , have been married for nearly 35 years, and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Rick & Jeanie Ragno
Kingdom Connections (KC) Pastors, Web Design, Connect Desk
Rick and Jeanie have a heart for connecting people together, and cultivating gifts, talents and abilities of others. With a passion for teaching and practically applying God's Word, they have been in ministry for over three years and have served in many roles including a tenure as a Campus Pastor for a local Williamsburg, VA. church.
Rick served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years and retired in 2021. Jeanie has a heart for helping others physical and spiritual needs and has served as a Registered Nurse at a local hospital for over 20 years. They have been married for 30 years and currently live in Toano, VA and enjoy spending time outdoors enjoying nature. Rick enjoys cycling, while Jeanie competes in marathons. They enjoy spending time with their two children and two grandchildren.
Rick served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years and retired in 2021. Jeanie has a heart for helping others physical and spiritual needs and has served as a Registered Nurse at a local hospital for over 20 years. They have been married for 30 years and currently live in Toano, VA and enjoy spending time outdoors enjoying nature. Rick enjoys cycling, while Jeanie competes in marathons. They enjoy spending time with their two children and two grandchildren.
Seth & Madison Savage
Youth Pastors, Audio/Video, Media, Web Design
Bio coming soon
Joel & Sylvia Gorelick
Eldership - Holy Smoke Ministries, Administration, Financial Team, Outreach Ministries
Joel runs a God-given food outreach ministry called "Holy Smoke". For several years Joel has been serving the greater Williamsburg community through his food ministry; from feeding the homeless to giving a breakfast to our first responders and countless other opportunities. God has used his generosity and humility to touch many lives for the gospel and show love in a very practical way.
If you know of an opportunity where Joel and his team could bless the community, please contact him below.
If you know of an opportunity where Joel and his team could bless the community, please contact him below.
James & Caryn MacLean
Eldership - Teaching, Education, Financial Administration, Worship
Bio coming soon
Bill & Mel Floyd
Eldership - Building, Facilities, Teaching, Security, and Site Coordination
Bill and Mel have a heart of compassion for those in our body, as well as a desire to help build world-changers for God’s Kingdom. With significant experience in men’s and women’s ministry, praise and worship, leading small groups, and teaching, they look for opportunities to build up other believers and help them in their walk with the Lord. Their passion is to develop people who will help change the world, one life at a time.
Jose & Monika Soto
Eldership - Spiritual Guidance, Benevolence, and Communion
Bio coming soon
Rick & Debbie Baird
Eldership - Ushers , Greeters, and Hospitality
Rick and Debbie have been married for 39 years. They love praising and worshiping the Lord. They have experienced leading small groups for many years and loving on people. Rick and Debbie want to see the body of Christ become all it can be by bringing out the giftings the Lord has given to His children. Watching each member mature in their anointing brings them as much joy as watching their own son, daughter in – law and grandchildren achieve their destinies in God.
Victoria Canady
Director of Prayer Ministry
Victoria oversees the River Church's intercessory prayer ministry. She is blessed with the ability to hear and convey Holy Spirit's message for both personal edification and the church community. She is deeply committed to partnering with Holy Spirit and prayer, interceding on local and national levels according to God's heart. Victoria fervently believes that corporate prayer is powerful and essential for all Believers regardless of denomination, uniting hearts and voices while seeking God's will. You are invited to join the River Church's intercessory prayer ministry on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the main building for a transformative experience of prayer and worship. Together, let's witness the remarkable impact of collective prayer in our lives and communities.
Gary & Frannie Bell
Men's & Women's Discipleship Ministry
Gary and Frannie moved to Williamsburg in 2021. They raised three children in St. Mary's County, Maryland and enjoy visiting with them as often as possible. Gary is a retired Naval Flight Officer. His service career has given him a heart to mentor and encourage men to be the best they can be. He has strong leadership, mentoring, and relational skills. Gary is self motivated and can always be found working on projects that help others in need.
Frannie has a heart to lead women to what Christ has for them in the Kingdom. She loves to share God's promises and hope for the future with others. In various christian ministries she he has been a teacher, discipleship and small group leader, mentor, and counselor for the Kingdom of God.
Frannie has a heart to lead women to what Christ has for them in the Kingdom. She loves to share God's promises and hope for the future with others. In various christian ministries she he has been a teacher, discipleship and small group leader, mentor, and counselor for the Kingdom of God.
Angela Patteson
Worship Director
Worship pastor, singer and songwriter
She began a love for Jesus, worship and singing as a young girl and sang on many worship teams and sets. She attended Brownsville Revival school of ministry at age 20 and met her husband Jeff who graduated from BRSM. They have been married 24 years, and the two of them have been full time prayer missionaries and part of leadership teams for years. Together they have 5 sons and a daughter in heaven.
Angela has been leading worship for the past 14 years, and she has a passion to worship in spirit and truth, to flow with the Holy Spirit in prophetic worship and new songs and to see Jesus glorified, heaven released here and now, and that the body of Christ would take hold of their true identity and pursue intimacy with Jesus above all else.
She began a love for Jesus, worship and singing as a young girl and sang on many worship teams and sets. She attended Brownsville Revival school of ministry at age 20 and met her husband Jeff who graduated from BRSM. They have been married 24 years, and the two of them have been full time prayer missionaries and part of leadership teams for years. Together they have 5 sons and a daughter in heaven.
Angela has been leading worship for the past 14 years, and she has a passion to worship in spirit and truth, to flow with the Holy Spirit in prophetic worship and new songs and to see Jesus glorified, heaven released here and now, and that the body of Christ would take hold of their true identity and pursue intimacy with Jesus above all else.
Gabrielle Bartell
Director of Children's Ministry
Gabrielle is honored to serve as Children's Ministry Director at The River Church, bringing her passion for teaching, nurturing, and guiding the next generation in their faith. She believes children are not just the future of the Church but an active part of God’s Kingdom today. With a heart for helping kids grow in their understanding of God’s love, she is committed to creating a Christ-centered, engaging, and transformative environment where they can build a strong foundation in their walk with Jesus. Through dynamic Bible lessons, worship, and hands-on activities, Gabrielle seeks to cultivate a space where children experience God’s presence, develop their faith, and walk boldly in His truth. She is dedicated to partnering with parents, volunteers, and the church family to disciple young hearts according to God’s Word