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Pastors and Leadership

Leading with
a heart for
revival.

Meet the pastors and leaders of River Northwest Church.

Our senior pastors

Pastors Jason and Hannah Gillick

Pastors Jason and Hannah Gillick ministering at River Northwest Church

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Pastors Jason and Hannah burn with the heart of revival. As founders of the River Northwest, they are devoted to seeing their members live the life of fire; healthy in every way, and growing to maturity. Their greatest quest is living, manifesting and overflowing the Love of God, and leading others to do the same. They’re both teachers and preachers of the Word of God.

Jason and Hannah have Bachelor's Degrees in Theology and are graduates of The River Bible Institute in Tampa, FL. It was there that they received much of their ministry training under Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne and the staff of Revival Ministries International. A great privilege of their life was working for The River at Tampa Bay Church in various departments, and being ordained as pastors in 2005, during a hurricane! They also traveled on the road team for Pastors Rodney and Adonica throughout the United States and Canada.

God brought Jason and Hannah together as young adults. They were first close friends, then fell in love, and got married in 1999. Their first ministry has always been their home and their four (now adult) sons, Ezekiel (wife Eve, and son Emeka), Skyler, Easton and J.J. It has been their greatest joy to raise their arrows into men of God. Jason spent years involved as a coach for many of their sports and Hannah both homeschooled and volunteered in their classrooms when they were in school.

Jason and Hannah not only have a heart for Kitsap County, but for traveling the US and the nations. They have ministered throughout the US and in Romania, France, Africa, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Brazil.

Leadership team

Serving the Body.
Strengthening the church.

Pastors Shane and Nella Schmidt

Assistant Pastors

Pastors Shane and Nella Schmidt

Pastors Shane and Nella Schmidt carry a genuine love for God and His people, with hearts devoted to serving the Lord wherever He has called them. Their desire is to see lives transformed through the presence and power of God, watching people encounter Jesus, grow strong in their faith, walk in freedom, and fulfill the purpose God has for their lives.

Throughout their years at River Northwest, Shane and Nella have faithfully served in many areas of ministry, from worship and sound to welcoming people at the doors. Pastor Shane leads the Worship Ministry, Men’s Ministry, and Sound Ministry, and Pastor Nella leads the Greeters Ministry. Each opportunity has strengthened their hearts for the local church and reinforced their conviction that every part of the Body of Christ has value and purpose. Whether ministering from the platform or serving behind the scenes, their heart remains the same: to make room for God to move, love His people, and faithfully serve wherever they are needed.

One of their greatest passions is helping people recognize that they belong in the family of God and that He has a purpose and calling for their lives. They love building relationships, encouraging believers, and helping others grow in the confidence to step out in faith. They want people to understand that they do not have to have everything figured out before coming to Jesus. He meets people right where they are, but His love and transforming power are too great to leave them where He found them.

Serving the Lord together has been a tremendous blessing in their lives. Although Shane and Nella have different gifts and strengths, they are united in their love for Jesus and their desire to see His Kingdom advanced. They are committed to being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, continually growing in their own relationships with Him, and helping raise up others who are equipped, willing, and excited to serve the Lord.

Shane and Nella are passionate about being part of a church that is alive with the presence of God, established in faith, overflowing with love, and continually hungry for more of Him. They believe God is still changing lives, restoring families, healing hearts, and accomplishing things far beyond what anyone could imagine. Ephesians 3:20 holds a special place in their hearts, reminding them that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Above all, Shane and Nella do not serve for a title, position, or recognition. They serve because they love Jesus, they love His people, and they believe wholeheartedly in what God is accomplishing through His Church. They consider it a privilege to be part of His work and look forward with faith and expectation to everything He has yet to do.

Pablo and Kristin Lopez

Pastors Assistants

Pablo and Kristin Lopez

Since walking through the doors of River Northwest in 2012, Kristin and Pablo have known that God called them to run alongside this ministry, serve wherever they are needed, and help hold up the arms of their pastors.

Kristin has led both the children’s ministry and the greeting ministry. Since 2014, she has served as the church’s finance administrator. She helps organize outreaches—gathering materials, coordinating volunteers, and making sure the vision is carried out. Kristin has the heart of an evangelist and a deep burden for souls. She has led many soul-winning teams and is passionate about training, counseling, and strengthening the people God places in her path.

Throughout the years, Pablo has assisted Pastor Jason in countless areas, including setting up and tearing down for services, ushering, and meeting the practical needs of the ministry. He currently leads both the ushering and counting ministries.

Kristin and Pablo were married in 2004. Pablo was raised Catholic, but shortly after coming to River Northwest, he was radically saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Kristin grew up in the Assemblies of God but did not yet know Jesus personally. After coming to River Northwest, she rededicated her life to the Lord, and God lit a fire in her that has continued to burn.

Both Kristin and Pablo have completed two years at The River Bible and Ministry Training Center. Together, they carry a heart to disciple couples and families, helping them grow strong in the Lord, walk in unity, and fulfill everything God has called them to do.

Tim and Bobbie Lee

Core Leaders

Pastor Tim and Bobbie Lee

Since coming to River Northwest in 2016, Tim and Bobbie Lee have become pillars in our church family. They carry a genuine love for God and His people and are always willing to serve and minister to others, no matter their background or walk of life.

Bobbie is driven by a deep hunger and thirst for more of God and a desire to help His children grow into spiritual maturity. She is passionate about seeing the Gospel preached and possesses an incredible gift for raising support for missions and advancing the work of God around the world.

Tim is an anointed Bible teacher with a gift for making the Word of God clear and helping others grow in their understanding of Scripture. He also leads the screen/words department and is a worship leader and drummer.

Together, Tim and Bobbie lead a home-group Bible study and have a gift for hospitality, creating an atmosphere where people feel welcomed, loved, and strengthened in their faith. Whether they are teaching the Word, opening their home, supporting missions, serving behind the scenes, or personally ministering to someone in need, they continually demonstrate what it means to faithfully serve the Body of Christ.

Gerry and Donna Lightfoot

Core Leaders

Donna and Gerry Lightfoot

Since coming to River Northwest in 2019, Gerry and Donna Lightfoot have carried a genuine desire to serve the Body of Christ and help equip God’s people for every good work.

Donna serves as one of our youth leaders, where her love for young people and passion for Jesus are evident. Her heart is to see a generation raised up that doesn’t just know about Jesus, but knows Him personally and loves Him passionately. She also serves on the worship team, and leads our hospitality and catering department, helping create an atmosphere where people feel welcomed, loved, and cared for.

Gerry serves as an usher and in various helps roles throughout the church. He has a servant’s heart and willingly steps in wherever he is needed, supporting the work God has entrusted to them.

Together, Gerry and Donna are a tremendous blessing to River Northwest. They love God’s people, serve with willing hearts, and are committed to strengthening the local church and helping others fulfill the work God has called them to do.

Pastor Rick Lopez

Core Leader

Pastor Rick Lopez

Pastor Rick Lopez serves as a passionate minister and leader at The River Northwest. His transformative spiritual journey began in 2012 when he came to The River Northwest, encountered Jesus Christ, and surrendered his life to Him as Lord and Savior. Answering a divine calling the following year, Pastor Rick moved to Tampa Bay, Florida, to study at the River Bible Institute at Revival Ministries International. During his time there, he served heavily in the outreach department, dedicating himself to street evangelism and developing a profound, lifelong heart for soul-winning.

Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, Rick was ordained as a pastor. Today, he proudly leads Evergreen Kids, ministering to children ages 7–12. His mission is to teach children to love Jesus, share His love with others, and equip them with the hope of the Gospel. Through his ministry, Pastor Rick helps children establish a rich, deep relationship with Jesus—empowering them to know who He is, respond to His word, grow in their faith through spiritual disciplines, and live out witnessing as a daily way of life.

Beyond children's ministry, Pastor Rick’s passion for souls has led thousands into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is also a dedicated missionary to the nations, spreading the Gospel globally across countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Kenya. Locally, he extends his ministry into the community as an Emergency Chaplain for Kitsap County Fire and Rescue. In times of deep trauma and crisis, Pastor Rick provides a compassionate, steady presence—sharing the love and hope of Jesus while faithfully representing The River Northwest Church throughout the Kitsap County community.