About Us
Dr. Nick van Rensburg
Senior Pastor
PHD in Christian Psychology
Doctorate of Divinity
Nick van Rensburg was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the grandson of Rev. Stephen Vandermerwe - one of the founding fathers of the Assembly of God denomination. Nick was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. He attended Southwestern Assembly of God College in Waxahachie, Texas and the Theological College of South Africa. Nick graduated from Life Christian University in Tampa Florida with a PhD in Christian Psychology. In addition, Life Christian University presented Nick with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
Dr. Esther Van Rensburg
Co-Senior Pastor
PHD in Christian Psychology
Esther Van Rensburg was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated the University of Pretoria (Tukkies), as a Dental Hygienist and then attended Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas. She later graduated with a PhD in Christian Psychology from Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida.
The Van Rensburgs met at Hatfield Baptist in Pretoria and were married in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1982. Together the Van Rensburgs Supervised Teen Challenge Maui, were Associate Pastors at Zoe Christian Fellowship in South Africa, Pastored Reggio Assembly of God in New Orleans and then returned to the islands as Directors of Teen Challenge Oahu. The Van Rensburgs ministered in many churches across the islands and were regular speakers at the 'Catch His Fire, Carry His Flame Conferences' and Esther was also a regular speaker at the 'Womens International Conferences' both hosted by Word of Life Christian Center, Honolulu.
While keeping Hawaii as their Ministry home-base, the Van Rensburgs planted churches in the Durban, South Africa area and were part of a team in pioneering The River at Tampa Bay.
In May 2002, the River Church Hawaii was launched here on Oahu and is now a thriving growing church that is touching lives for Jesus.
Charlotte
Mings
Assistant Pastor /
Pastoral Care
Charlotte is a very experienced minister with a loving and gentle
heart. Charlotte and her husband Donnie served for 14 years as
missionaries to Japan. Then they served another 28 years as
senior pastors of the Hauula Church of Christ. Donnie went to
be with the Lord, since then Charlotte has moved to the River
Church and is now serving in the area of pastoral care. Charlotte has a
passion for teaching and speaking the Word. She is committed
to prayer and the physical and spiritual health of the Body of
Christ. Charlotte also sings at weddings and other
events. Besides her children and many grand children her
interests include interior decorating.
Cynthia
Meekins
Assistant Pastor /
Church Growth
Cynthia is a seasoned minister with a heart zealous for God. Cynthia was born in Baltimore, Maryland but has been a resident of Hawaii for 26 years. She is the mother of four and believes her greatest ministry has been to love and nurture her children who are now adults that love the Lord. She co-founded and pastored Way of Truth Ministries formerly located in Waipahu, Hawaii, along with Pastor Audwin T. Meekins for 13 years. The Lord blessed her to minister at Women's Conferences throughout the state and to co-host the Praise the Lord television broadcast here in Hawaii. Besides all this she has an awesome voice and sings wonderful and inspiring praises to her Lord. She has a genuine concern for the church and encourages her brethren to experience God's best for themselves.
Dr.
Hank Makini
Assistant Pastor / Ministry of Helps
Hank was born in Pasco, Washington and
has lived in Hawaii now for 33 years. Hank graduated and
received his doctorate in Optometry from Pacific University, College
of Optometry in Oregon, and currently owns and operates a thriving
and successful optometric practice,
Eyes Plus Inc. in Kapolei,
Hawaii. Hank is also the creator of the SAVE program (Supporting
Academic and Visual Excellence) and currently sits on the Hawaii
State Board of Examiners for Optometry. He is the author of
a book entitled "Unleash the Power of the
Student Within Your Child", and believes God has given him a unique
niche to empower children and athletes through vision.
Hank is a former student of International Miracle Institute, and is
currently a faculty member and student of Pacific Christian
University, completing his degree in Theology and developing
materials and helping to raise up a generation of leaders that would
serve the body of Christ in excellence and wholeheartedness. Hank
leads and oversees the Helps Ministry at the River with great
passion and a deep desire to see hearts ablaze with the fire of God.
Sharon
Makini
Assistant Pastor / Administration
Sharon was born in Kailua, Hawaii, but raised
as a young child in Ohio returning to the islands in 1976. She is
Vice President and Co-Owner of
Eyes Plus Inc. and
additionally has 18 years of experience having worked for a major
airline, as a former Ticket Sales Representative and Instructor at
the management level, corporate learning systems division.
Sharon is also Co-Founder/Director of
Administration for Garcon Media Group LLC, a software development
company, and Owner/Artist of "Makin Inspiration," an arts & crafts
business in Hawaii.
Sharon is a former student of International Miracle
Institute, and is currently
completing her degree in Theology at Pacific Christian University.
With all that God has gifted Sharon with, she is now passionately
using those amazing gifts and talents to serve administratively at
The
River Church with much skill, grace and zeal for God.
Hank and Sharon have been blessed in marriage for 19 wonderful years
and
have 3 beautiful daughters with whom, by the
awesome Grace of God, serve
together as a unified family at The River Church from worship
team, stage,
sound, to children's church and assist in every other
capacity, helping
make our church one big happy "Ohana"...family.
Nicholas
van Rensburg
Worship Leader
Having been
raised in a ministry home as the son of Pastors Nick and Esther,
Nicholas has been inspired to write and sing God's songs from before
he was 10 years old. He graduated from a local Hawaii high
school and is also an alumni of "Center for Tomorrows Leaders", a
leadership program of Youth for Christ Hawaii. Nicholas keeps
busy as the successful business owner of
Nevergreen Pools Hawaii, a pool cleaning service
here on Oahu, and is currently a 4th year student at Pacific
Christian University, pursuing a BA in Theology.
Today,
Nicholas leads
worship
for the River Church
with great
passion
and possesses a
dream to see
stadiums filled with people worshiping Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior.
Nicholas enjoys spending time daily with the Lord which in turn
fills him with a heart of compassion for people and provides him
with a greater ability to joyfully
accomplish his numerous responsibilities, producing creative works
and enjoying extreme sports activities.