Personal & Family Background

David was born into a Christian home and the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, and scripture memorization were instilled early in his life. David attended a Christian elementary school and made a decision for Christ at age 5. During his high school years David dedicated his life for Christian service while at a Christian Youth Summer Camp. He made plans for the ministry by attending Western Baptist College (now Corban College) in Salem, Oregon. In his senior year, he was elected Student Body Vice-President. There he met Linda Rowland and they were married after graduation in 1973. David and Linda then moved to Dallas, Texas where David attended and graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters Degree in Theology.  They have a son, Andrew, who is attending Western Seminary, and is engaged to be married to Kathleen Studenny in July of 2008.

Ministerial Background

David has been pastor at River Ridge Neighborhood Church since July 1998. He also served as interim pastor from February-June 1998. David also served as an adult education teacher and later Adult Superintendent at Chinese Grace Bible (1991-1997). For nine years (1978-1987), he served as Associate Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church of Roseville. In addition, he has taught at Calvary Lay Institute (1981-1984), Simpson College extension in Sacramento (1987, 1988), and China Baptist Theological College, Hong Kong (Summer 1992). David's desire is to use the gifts God has given him to clearly, effectively and authentically communicate the Word in a life-changing way to God's people.

Eric serves as the Minister of music at River Ridge Church with his talented wife Candy, who plays the piano.  Eric believes that his ministry is to be a supportive role to the other members of his Worship team by helping them use their God-given musical gifts to minister to others while personally drawing closer in their relationship to God in their daily lives.  Eric strives to create a variety of styles in the worship service of both upbeat contemporary and personal testimony songs with scripturally sound doctrine as their basis. 

There are many other qualified Worship leaders at River Ridge who also lead worship on Sunday mornings.  This allows for an incredible variety with different types of worship on a weekly basis and keeps the atmosphere spontaneous and fresh.   Eric strives to make worship a time of centering each persons thoughts on their relationship with Christ.  Quality, polished musicianship and a seamless flow in worship is Eric's goal, but a performance by the worship Team is avoided at all costs.  Eric is always looking for more participants; singer's, soloists, sound technicians etc. to help in the ministry.  Out of all the Churches Eric and Candy have served in, they feel that River Ridge is the warmest, most caring and loving of any, and whole-heartedly make it their spiritual home.