Pastors

Greg Van Nada

What do you do here at Riv?
I'm helping to coach and support the staff working with Riverview's MSU venue and Epic, our college ministry. I'm also helping with leadership development for Riverview's future pastors and church planters.

Family info?
My wife Christine was the first convert, as a high school senior, when Riverview was started. We have four children:  Amy, who is married to Nick Modrzejewski and living in Champaign, IL; Daniel, who is in his senior year as a Gator at UF; Jim, who is a freshman at Oakland University; and Steve, who is a junior at East Lansing High School.

Where did you grow up?
Grand Blanc, MI, just south of Flint.

What's your Riv story?
I graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1978, which was one year after Riverview Church was first planted. I had been studying the New Testament and what a church should look like and was to be about. I came to MSU looking to be involved in such a church. When I saw Riverview's commitment to obeying the Scriptures no matter what, I wanted to be a part of it.

How did you learn about Jesus?
I was raised in a Christian home where I heard the gospel often at church and had read the Bible through many times. I knew the truth but wrestled with God before yielding to Him as a high school junior.

What is something we don't know about you?
For those of you who know Rob Schiller, he and I were roommates our first year at MSU and went on a church plant together to Purdue University in 1985. While Rob moved back to the Lansing area, I moved from Purdue to Indianapolis, then to Columbus, and then Orlando before I got to come full circle, home to the church family we were a part of years ago.

Favorite book?
Galatians, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

What music is in your player RIGHT NOW?
Classic rock.

What are some jobs you've had, both in the past and currently?
Lawn care, painting, putting V-8 engine heads on engines on the GM motor line, wrestling instructor, pastor, church planter, and currently, Great Commission Ministries national campus director.

Who are some people that have inspired you?
My high school wrestling coach, who also taught special education classes. My dad for his love and respect for the Bible.

Hobbies?
Scuba diving, walking, talking and praying with my wife, and dates with my kids.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I had to stop working out with the high school wrestling team a few years ago. I would love to have super elastic powers so I could have the flexibility to continue to wrestle even though I'm 52.

What makes you smile?
Chocolate

What are some things that you hope to see happen in or through Riv?
Church members to be raised up to make a difference in the lives of people in their spheres of influence, in the community, and at MSU. Churches and venues to be multiplied, along with church planters to start them and pastors to lead them.

How do you take your coffee?
I don't drink whiskey, much less coffee.

Anything else you want to share about yourself?
My name was James for a year before my adoptive parents were able to legally change it to Greg. Therefore, Greg Van Nada is actually only 51.