After a time of prayer and discernment, Riverside’s Leadership Team has nominated eight Riverside members for eight spots on the Pastoral Search Team. You can find their pictures and biographies below. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Riverside’s Leadership Team at lt@rcovenant.org.
Amanda Braun
Originally from St. Louis, Amanda graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Kansas before moving to Colorado to work in youth ministry at a Covenant church for six years. While in Colorado, she earned a Master’s degree in Youth and Family Ministries from Denver Seminary. Amanda eventually moved back to Kansas to work year-round at a Christian youth camp, and it was at this phase of life that she met her husband Ross, who was working on a PhD at Kansas State University. When Ross got a job in the Horticulture Department at Purdue in early 2018, they moved to West Lafayette and then joined the Riverside community.
Amanda and Ross now have two young boys, and Amanda stays at home full time with them. At Riverside, Amanda volunteers as a youth leader and is involved in a women’s pod as well as a pod for families. Additionally, Amanda serves as a leader for a local support group for moms. When she somehow finds free time beyond all that, Amanda also enjoys playing and watching sports, taking walks, reading, playing music, and traveling.
Nicole McClurg
Nicole was born in Kalamazoo, MI and has lived in several places prior to moving to Indiana with her husband (Richard) and two boys (Sam and Evan) in 2006. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Psychology, Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, and is a Certified Spiritual Director. She works as a Spiritual Director and retreat leader in private practice and as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Abundant Life Ministries which is a non-profit dedicated to empowering, equipping, and encouraging women called into pastoral ministry. She is passionate about soul care and spiritual formation for all with particular concern for leaders so that their ministry can flow from a whole-hearted relationship with God, self, and others.
Nicole grew up knowing about God but truly began to experience His love for her in young adulthood. She has a passion for helping people overcome the barriers that stand in the way of a flourishing, life-changing relationship with the Lord. Nicole is grateful to be part of discipleship ministries at Riverside and in the community. Since coming to Riverside in 2014, she has enjoyed participating in women’s discipleship ministry, praying for Sunday services, offering prayer meditations on Sunday morning, and facilitating a Spiritual Formation Pods.
Nicole loves sharing her life with her family and enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, relaxing in nature, playing board games, traveling, and reading good books.
Chuck Moeschberger
Chuck has been a member of Riverside for 10+ years. He has a lovely wife Brandi, and three amazing kids. Chuck is a business owner and entrepreneur that loves to serve others whenever he can. He has served on multiple pastoral search committees and also served 6 years on the leadership team. He is passionate about missions and loves traveling to Ecuador. Chuck is excited to see what the Lord delivers for Riverside in the upcoming months.
Andrea Patrie
Andrea Patrie was born and raised in a Christian family in Lafayette. She met her handy husband, Philip, at Anderson University where she majored in Business Management (emphasis in International) and a minor in Spanish. With her sights set far away from Lafayette, Andrea and Philip moved to Seattle after their wedding. Their three years in Seattle were a formative time that expanded her world view by attending an ECC church called Quest and joining a vintage moped gang. After struggling to get a job during the recession of 2008 and then working for a terrible boss for two years, Andrea decided to try joining her family’s pest control business in Lafayette and has been there ever since. They have two elementary aged children named Mac and James.
Andrea has attended Riverside since 2012. She has participated in pods, nursery, women’s bible study, the 2018 assistant pastoral search team, and currently is on the City Outreach Team. She and Philip volunteer at Habitat for Humanity on the Family Fellowship Committee to walk alongside and encourage the families going through the program.
Kevin Riggenbach
Kevin grew up near Peoria, Illinois. He was raised in a Christian family and attended a small Bible church. Though he made a profession of faith as a teen, Kevin experienced a deeper faith understanding and commitment in his twenties. Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration. He recently retired from Caterpillar Inc. after 40 years working primarily in product development and management.
Kevin met his wife Rita singing together in the Peoria Area Civic Chorale. They have been married 30 years and have 4 adult children. Kevin and Rita have attended Riverside since 2010. They appreciate the fellowship of their small group and have both been involved in Welcome Ministry and Stephen Ministry as well as Lafayette Bible Study Fellowship.
Dan Ritchie
Dan Ritchie, his wife Jenifer and their five children have been a part of the Riverside Covenant Church family since 2014.
Dan grew up in Wauconda, IL and has been a follower of Christ since a very young age.
He and Jenifer moved to West Lafayette in 2002 to attend Purdue for graduate school.
In 2007 he opened Miracles Fitness in West Lafayette and launched a fitness education company the Functional Aging Institute in 2014 which educates fitness professionals around the world.
In his free time you will find him exploring nature with Jen often in the Rockies.
Mark Kirgiss (Leadership Team Chair)
Mark grew up in Hector, Minnesota. He attended and received a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in Applied Christian Studies while also managing a Christian bookstore. He married Crystal in 1985, and together they began serving in youth ministry with Young Life as volunteers in Minnesota and then suburbia Chicago. Mark then served as a youth leader at Kenosha Bible Church in WI. In 1989 he went on staff with Youth For Christ in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. In 1992 he went on staff with Young Life in Detroit Lakes, MN. In 2004 he began serving as the Sr. Area Director for Greater Lafayette Young Life. He enjoys investing in and developing college-aged leaders for ministry as well as working with high school & middle school aged teenagers. Mark & Crystal have three grown sons.
Mark & Crystal have attended Riverside since shortly after moving to the community. He currently serves as a RiverGuide. He enjoys camping, motorcycling, Purdue athletics and the Minnesota Vikings.
Note: Mark will be a part of this Committee per Riverside Bylaws Article V, Section 2