Greg and Bonnie Temke have served as the Lead Pastors of River of Life for over 16 years. A Cincinnati native, Pastor Greg grew up in the Catholic faith with a strong German influence. In high school, he encountered Christ and accepted Him as his Savior, answering God’s call to ministry. He holds a B.A. in Bible from Central Bible College (1984) and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Nelson University. While in college, Greg met the love of his life, Bonnie Carter, who had felt called to ministry from a young age. Married for over 40 years, they have two children, Landon (Emilee) Temke and Lindsie (Matthew) Cooper, and five grandsons.

Greg’s ministry is marked by a relational, shepherd-like approach, inspired by 1 Peter 5:2, and his teaching-preaching style emphasizes creating opportunities for the Holy Spirit to move.

Pastor Greg enjoys landscaping, deer hunting, and sports, with a special love for jogging and German cuisine. His dream is to take a trip around the world. Bonnie, meanwhile, enjoys quilting, photography, and cheering for Arkansas Razorback football. Her favorite foods include strawberries and chocolate, and her dream vacation is to visit Hawaii.

Originally from Belize, Griselda and Pastor Amilcar met in 1991 while attending Bible college in their home country. They married in 1992, and by 1993, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, they began pastoring a church that quickly grew into a ministry overseeing multiple churches throughout Belize and beyond.

The couple has three children, all of whom are actively serving in church ministry in the United States. Over the years, they have led numerous teams both within Belize and internationally, sharing the love of Christ and furthering God’s Kingdom.

Pastor Amilcar currently serves as the Mission and Outreach Pastor at River of Life Assembly of God. His mission is to build God’s Kingdom on earth by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping others to do the same.

His favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

West dedicated his life to Jesus in 2021, and shortly thereafter, the Lord called him into youth ministry. West has been actively serving in church leadership for four years. He played a key role in launching a church plant in Memphis, TN, and has experience as both a Children’s Pastor and a youth assistant. With over five years of ministry experience, West remains passionate about serving in kids and youth ministry.

West is engaged to his fiancé, Evan Pierce. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, watching football and other sports, spending time outdoors, and traveling.

West’s favorite scripture is 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” His greatest passion is helping people encounter Jesus and sharing God’s love with them. Long term, West desires to continue serving in youth ministry and making a lasting impact for the Kingdom.

A native of Oklahoma, Houston felt the call to ministry as a sophomore in high school and has faithfully pursued that calling ever since.

In August 2024, Houston joined the staff at River of Life after spending six years at Victory Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he met his wife, Kaysha. The couple married in 2021 and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first child. Houston is also pursuing a degree in Theology through Theos Seminary to further his understanding of scripture and ministry.

Houston and Kaysha are passionate about equipping the next generation to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth. They focus on fostering strong discipleship relationships, helping students become firmly rooted in the local church community while reaching the world around them. Their prayer is to see students grow in their knowledge of scripture and in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

A lifelong resident of Tipton County, Amber met her husband, Jacob, at their childhood church, and the two have been married for 13 years.

Amber and Jacob began serving in ministry at a young age, traveling and singing in churches across the region. After 10 years of evangelism, they helped found and launch a local church, where they served as Youth Pastors for another decade. In 2023, they felt the Lord leading them to River of Life, where they joined the church family and quickly became involved in children’s ministry.

The Callahans have a vision to raise up Kingdom-minded kids who have a heart for God and a desire to become world changers for Christ. Their passion for children’s ministry deepened during their journey through infertility, a season that strengthened their faith and trust in the Lord. God has since blessed them with four amazing children: Isaac, Olivia, Eli, and Avery.

As a family, the Callahans love spending time together, whether serving at church or enjoying a cozy movie night at home. Amber’s life verse is Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

A pastor’s kid born and raised in the beautiful country of Belize, Melissa has been involved in ministry alongside her parents for as long as she can remember.

At 18, she moved to the United States to attend college and earned a Missions and Ministry Certification from Victory College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Melissa is married to her husband, Josey Farmwald, and together they have two wonderful sons.

Melissa is passionate about culture, community, photography, and social media. She views the Media Team as vital to ministry, often saying, “The media team of the church are the eyes and windows of the church to the world.”

Her favorite scripture is Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Deborah supports Pastor Greg Temke, overseeing administrative functions. With over 29 years of experience in office, accounting, and insurance roles, Deborah brings exceptional organizational skills and a heart for ministry to her position.

A proud mother of two grown children, Victoria and Chandler, and grandmother to Caleb, Deborah cherishes every moment spent with her family. Her passion for serving others extends beyond her professional role, as she faithfully volunteers in God’s Kingdom by teaching Sunday School and contributing in various ministries.

Deborah’s life reflects the servant-hearted example of Jesus, who came “not to be served, but to serve.” She strives daily to share God’s love and the Gospel message in all she does.

Jennifer has faithfully dedicated her life to ministry for over six decades. With 56 years of experience at First Citizens National Bank and 26 years as treasurer for Celebrate Munford, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Jennifer has been a cherished part of our church community for 64 years, serving alongside Pastor Greg Temke for over 16 years. Beyond her financial responsibilities, she has contributed to numerous ministries over the years, including the choir (59 years), Youth (CAs), Mpact Girls, College and Career, and Senior Adults.

A proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Jennifer treasures her family above all else. She has two children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Music has always been her passion, second only to her family and faith.

Her favorite verse, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), reflects her steadfast devotion to Christ and her commitment to guiding others to Him.