Meet Our Pastors and Staff
We believe in team leadership!
It's our conviction that a church is best led by a plurality of leaders who work together to accomplish its mission and vision. By relying on consensual agreement, the River aims to create healthy checks and balances and to foster deep partnerships in building the church together.
Our pastors work together in overseeing the general direction of the church with input from the staff, lay leaders, and an oversight board.
It's our conviction that a church is best led by a plurality of leaders who work together to accomplish its mission and vision. By relying on consensual agreement, the River aims to create healthy checks and balances and to foster deep partnerships in building the church together.
Our pastors work together in overseeing the general direction of the church with input from the staff, lay leaders, and an oversight board.
Charles Park | Lead Pastor
Charles emigrated to the U.S. from Korea at age 14. He later went on to receive degrees in Computer Science and Economics at Stanford, and a Ph.D. in Economics at M.I.T. After striving hard to achieve the American Dream, he found getting tangled up with the story of God much more interesting and unpredictable! He's been involved in full-time ministry for over 15 years, including helping plant the Reservoir Church in Greater Boston. He and his wife Caroline moved to Manhattan in June 2004 to start the River. They live in Battery Park City with their three children: Clara, Ariel, and Caleb.
Contact: charles@riverNYC.org
Contact: charles@riverNYC.org
ALISON NOLL | Executive Pastor
Alison grew up in Southern California and graduated from Pomona College with a BA in Politics and Dance. Her love of reading led her to relocate to New York City in 2012 and to begin working in book publishing. Realizing that she wanted to work directly with people, Alison enrolled in a dual-degree program at Union Theological Seminary and the Columbia School of Social Work. Alison graduated in 2020 with her MDiv and MSW and is Licensed Master Social Worker in New York. Alison lives with her husband in Queens.
Contact: alison@riverNYC.org
Contact: alison@riverNYC.org
MIKE ELLER | Pastor of Worship And Spiritual Formation
Mike is originally from Virginia Beach, VA and moved to NYC with his family in 2019. His love of music stems back to his childhood and eventually led him to pursue a Bachelor of Music (in Sacred Music) and a Master of Music (Conducting) from Baylor University in Waco, TX. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary which he completed in 2009. Mike has held music positions in Texas, North Carolina and New York City churches over the past couple of decades. These roles have included worship leadership along with directing musical ensembles of all types and including all ages. He, along with his wife, Katie, and their two children, enjoys learning about NYC and exploring its music, food, and art culture.
Contact: mike.eller@riverNYC.org
Contact: mike.eller@riverNYC.org
AmeLia Cunard | RiverKids Director
Amelia couldn’t have imagined that her Architecture and Design degrees from the University of Nottingham (UK) and Parson School of Design (NYC) would eventually lead her to designing the children’s program at The River. However along the way she discovered that her training and experience inspire her to combine critical thinking and creativity in her lessons. She finds walking with children as they seek to walk with God to be an honor and joy. Amelia grew up in Indonesia, moved to Singapore and the UK, before eventually settling in Queens. She now lives with her two children and their dog.
Contact: amelia@riverNYC.org
Contact: amelia@riverNYC.org
Kevin Chin | Operations
Kevin oversees a myriad of important details that make the River run! He is a native New Yorker whose curious nature spurred him to a Ph.D. in Basic Medical Science. Before joining the River staff, he started a small business enterprise that imports coffee from farmers in Guatemala for the HOPE Bible Mission. He and his wife live in Manhattan with their two children. In his spare time you may find him getting his caffeine buzz at various espresso bars around the city.
Contact: kevin@riverNYC.org
Contact: kevin@riverNYC.org