global missions

As a church, we at RiverLakes are committed to participating in the fulfillment of the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:18-20). We understand this to mean the discipling of people in every culture through persuading them to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and gathering them into congregations where they can learn to obey all that Jesus has commanded. This we do while not neglecting to show Christian love through the meeting of other human needs.

Eritrea is one of the least developed countries in the world. Isaias Afwerki has served as president since its independence in 1993. Eritrea has never had a functioning constitution nor elections. Isaias is the sole power in the country, controlling its judiciary and military. The government's human rights record is among the worst in the world. Eritrea recognizes three Christian denominations (Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran). Anyone who follows Jesus outside of the sanctioned churches is subject to arrest, torture, imprisonment, and eventual death. Even those within the recognized denominations are targets for surveillance and arrest.

Supported Missionary
International Christian Ministries

James and Mary are missionaries on their own continent, having left their home in Kenya to minister with ICM. James joined the organization in 1991 and serves as ICM Director in Tanzania.  He and Mary both serve by discipling and training pastors and lay leaders in the Church.

Supported Missionary
International Christian Ministries

As President of ICM, Dave Champness oversees the training and equipping of leaders in 25 countries throughout Africa and the Middle East. Dave’s responsibility is the oversight of ICM/USA as a resource base for the ministry. He mentors leaders in Africa & teaches graduate courses to emerging leaders in Africa & the Middle East.

Endorsed Missionary
Ethnos 360

Patrick and Ky are church planters in the bush in Papua, New Guinea. They have completed several years of training through their sending agency, Ethnos 360 (formerly New Tribes). They have three small children.

Supported Missionary
Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Dave and his wife Suzanne draw young people to Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches across Kern County.  A former collegiate football player himself, Dave leads Bible studies for local coaches and oversees more than twenty small groups of students both on and around local campuses.  Through Hume Lake Christian Camp he coordinates seven camps each year for students on football, soccer, volleyball and basketball teams.  Over 30,000 Bibles have been distributed to local campuses in Dave’s nine year ministry and hundreds of coaches, athletes and other young people have come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Supported Missionary
Cru

The Urquharts reach out to students from around the world through the international arm of Cru called Bridges International. They lead staff in their region while working locally with international students at CSUB.  Both have ministered with Cru since 1975 and Don served in Japan for two years before marrying Bev in 1980.  Married life began for the Urquharts in the heart of L.A. as they trained Cru missionaries, continuing in that work after moving to Bakersfield in 1988.  Don and Bev joined Bridges International in 2004.

Supported Missionary
Cru

Trent and Vivian have impacted Eastern Europe and Russia for the gospel since 1973 when they joined Campus Crusade for Christ.  In 1994, Trent founded IBTS in Budapest, Hungary and directed the ministry for eighteen years.  In 2012 he handed over directorship to his successor and the Hyatts relocated to Dayton, OH.  Trent continues to carry a full teaching load as he “commutes” regularly to Budapest and Eastern Europe and fulfills his duties as Teaching and Research Fellow with IBTS.  He and Vivian both engage in research and writing projects.

Supported Missionary
Cru

Richard Garcia has served Cru since 2018 and currently works to mobilize the Church to live out God's heart for the poor. Richard currently serves as the Cru Inner City Bakersfield City Director. Richard leads the Bakersfield team to help train believers to share their faith, make disciples and mentor others. Operating within a network of 40 area churches, Richard oversees a S.A.Y Yes! Center for children, discipleship programs, Easter Bag programs, Homeless Care Kits and adult development programs to help individuals overcome barriers and find jobs that lead to careers. 

Supported Missionary
Cru

Michele began her career with Cru over thirty years ago in the Hispanic Ministry of Los Angeles.  Today she fulfills an administrative role as an applicant liaison at Cru headquarters in Orlando, FL – a post she has maintained for nearly ten years.  Prior to this she served for sixteen years here in Bakersfield with the cross cultural training ministry of Cru known as Agape International Training (AIT).

Supported Missionary
Wycliffe Bible Translators

Melanie is excited to be involved with Wycliffe's work on two levels. Part of the time she promotes Scripture Use in the mother tongue languages among the indigenous churches in South Sudan. She also serves on teams that equip Africans to be efficient translators of God's Word and effective teachers so that God's Word impacts lives in a powerful way.

Endorsed Missionary
Local Church of Lenoir City

Jared and Mary Beth are missionary church-planters in Lenoir City, TN, where they currently lead a small, home-based church. They are passionate about disciple-making in their community and equipping others to do the same. After being sent out from Cornerstone Church (Simi Valley, CA) in 2014 to plant a church in North Hollywood, they developed a love for home-based church ministry. They are currently forming a network of home-based churches who share resources and accountability in order to be fortified, efficient, and easily multiplied (localchurchfellowship.org). They love doing ministry around the dinner table and reaching those who may never enter the doors of a church building.