https://www.riverridgekato.org/about daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://www.riverridgekato.org/welcome daily 1.0 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587167309498-F4IJH4OPQKZRA46JO8Z0/image-asset.jpeg Welcome https://www.riverridgekato.org/location-anya daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://www.riverridgekato.org/contact daily 0.75 2020-06-07 https://www.riverridgekato.org/efca-statement-of-faith-1 daily 0.75 2020-06-07 https://www.riverridgekato.org/staff daily 0.75 2026-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/a20cf573-eba9-4add-bcd3-4de029ca9e03/Derek.jpeg Staff - Derek Olson- Senior Pastor I grew up on the east-side of Portland, OR. While I didn't necessarily grow up in a solid Christian home, the Lord was pleased to sow the seeds of the gospel through people like my mom, grandma, and friends. In my later teenage years, the Lord was gracious to draw me to Himself and ignite a desire to follow and serve Him all my days. After sensing a call to ministry, I attended and graduated from Multnomah Bible College/University. I've spent time serving as a youth pastor, associate pastor, and as a senior pastor for the last 10 years. I love the Bible and have a passion to boldly and lovingly preach the whole counsel of God's Word. I've been married to my wonderful wife, Sarah, for 19 years and together we enjoy our five children (Hannah, Nathanael, Bethany, Drew, & Eli). If you have any questions about God, River Ridge Church, or anything else you can contact me at derek@riverridgekato.org or at the church phone 507-345-7451. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/fce2c531-a47b-4cbd-a797-d1ca348ef646/IMG_4697.jpg Staff - Amy Swanson— Interim Director of Youth Ever since I was a little girl, God has placed in me a desire to connect with people. So much so that when I was 5, my parents taught me what “discernment” meant, as I was freely talking to several people in a local store how we lived in a camper down by the river. To be fair, we were moving from Alaska back down to the lower 48 and were living in our camper as we traveled. Since then, I continue to love getting to know people and their stories. Beyond individual stories, the greatest story ever told is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the one that has captivated my heart and soul! Jesus has changed my life and introducing Him to others or asking them to consider the truth of His life, death, and resurrection is a joy. The Apostle Paul said that he toiled with all the energy he had to see others become mature in Christ and to see that their identity in Christ is complete. That is the heart I have for our families and youth. Helping others learn how to study, apply, trust, and treasure God’s word is foundational to knowing and trusting God and it is the backbone to my “yes!” for ministry. I grew up in South Dakota, the oldest of 6 kids. Having 4 brothers and a younger sister, a love for adventure, the outdoors, and a fierce (but friendly) competitive spirit were engrained in me from an early age. I became a follower of Jesus at the age of 5 and have seen the Lord’s faithful work in my life throughout each season of my life. I am married to Kris, he is my dearest friend and confidant (for 26 years now!) We have four amazing kids, and one incredible son-in-law! Our eldest is married and lives in SD, we have two daughters in college (1 at SDSU completing her master’s and 1 is a sophomore at Letourneau University in TX.) Our son is a junior at Mankato West. As a family, we love visiting National Parks, spending time at the lake and on the water, hiking, reading books if we can’t be outside, and enjoying family meals together! If you want to hear more about our youth ministry or want to stop in to chat about anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! youth@riverridgekato.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/83828f75-c132-4b16-ad54-2ec50df3eb23/50217151_10211215142369368_2217182922740334592_n.jpg Staff - Wendell Horn — Facilities Director I have lived in the Mankato area since 1968 when my family moved here from Fulda, MN. My wife and I started attending Mankato Evangelical Free Church, now called River Ridge, in 1994. We have been blessed to raise our three children in this faithful community and are thankful God led us to this body of believers. Our family began helping with the cleaning and boiler responsibilities of the building shortly after the church moved to our current location. It was a very helpful side income and a wonderful opportunity to train our children as they worked alongside us and learned practical skills. In 2024 the Deacons approached me and asked if I was willing to become a full-time Facilities Director. I was very pleased to accept the new position and leave my career in the printing and packaging industry. I have been happily married to my wife, Sheri, for over 40 years. We raised 3 wonderful children who have brought 3 equally wonderful spouses into our family. The biggest blessing is that they are all following the Lord. We currently have 8 grandchildren (1 granddaughter and 7 grandsons) and are so thankful for these gifts from the Lord. My Mission Statement: To use my physical and spiritual gifts to support my church family to utilize and care for the long-term stewardship of the structure we call River Ridge Church and all amenities that are provided to assist its mission, for the glory of God. https://www.riverridgekato.org/hire-https/wwweservicepaymentscom/cgi-bin/vancover3vpsappver3fi1gipl8kwxoe1ao50jruh0-durktlmnyi37tfeyhfho3ivyxvvxhhjrfloeq662evvvaejqawdomkt1pbouueemr2hi5oeaqv-5bgoenius daily 0.75 2020-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1410209232219-Y3G9CSHANEQWI5VEOEWC/NT03.jpg Online Giving https://www.riverridgekato.org/team daily 0.75 2026-09-03 https://www.riverridgekato.org/history daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://www.riverridgekato.org/sermons daily 0.75 2021-02-22 https://www.riverridgekato.org/adult daily 0.75 2026-06-12 https://www.riverridgekato.org/youth daily 0.75 2022-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587401166968-R03C8W61RS32ELBZGN8L/Ignite-Use-This-300x248.png Youth https://www.riverridgekato.org/childrens daily 0.75 2025-07-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587401689822-JYY211O0RXEA2VPPEQH1/DSC_7292.jpg Children's https://www.riverridgekato.org/family-events daily 0.75 2020-04-25 https://www.riverridgekato.org/what-we-believe daily 0.75 2021-03-22 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-43 daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-91 daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-1-1 daily 0.75 2020-04-18 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-27 daily 0.75 2020-04-18 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-5 daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://www.riverridgekato.org/new-page-12 daily 0.75 2020-04-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587153312182-JHLQT8I597TQ5OBOHAH5/image-asset.jpeg New Page https://www.riverridgekato.org/home-1 daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587163022148-4VI7RNPMXEAPV8CWNWVY/image-asset.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53cfdbf9e4b09d5219fcc098/1406141955462-0ZD9GSYIUBEXQ70GM6E5/image-asset.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53cfdbf9e4b09d5219fcc098/1406141972269-5XNOQS87WWZ1OH0ML2E2/image-asset.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53cfdbf9e4b09d5219fcc098/1406142011015-F64GK0WBOXWACHF18OWX/roshni_blog_031.jpg Home https://www.riverridgekato.org/giveonline daily 0.75 2020-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587166825843-K37WARQLTB6TTR71M1LG/image-asset.jpeg Give Online https://www.riverridgekato.org/read-me daily 0.75 2020-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587167457599-JEEEO49NWJ6IIRCXE82G/image-asset.jpeg Welcome https://www.riverridgekato.org/visit-us daily 0.75 2020-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587405523967-J2RVLB43GRW0AV103C8U/DSC_7456-3.jpg Visit Us https://www.riverridgekato.org/building-usage-request-form daily 0.75 2022-04-12 https://www.riverridgekato.org/visit-us-1 daily 0.75 2020-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/1587405523967-J2RVLB43GRW0AV103C8U/DSC_7456-3.jpg Plan A Visit https://www.riverridgekato.org/bible-reading-plan daily 0.75 2025-12-09 https://www.riverridgekato.org/rootedintheword daily 0.75 2022-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/f60e2fc9-1fb7-4694-bd9d-2a22af60bdee/Rooted+in+the+Word+_1_.jpeg Click Here For Episodes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2f430db1c1f803e3c874f9/24dab4d3-0132-4857-86ce-6836bfde1204/Untitled+%286+%C3%97+2+in%29+%285.5+%C3%97+2+in%29+%285.5+%C3%97+1.5+in%29+%285.5+%C3%97+1.2+in%29+%281%29.png Click Here For Episodes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.