Renee Sommerlot leads RivKids at the Westside Venue, where she oversees weekend services, coordinates schedules, and supports and trains volunteers who serve in the classrooms each week. Her heart for kids and her commitment to making Riv a welcoming place for families shine through in everything she does.

Renee was introduced to Jesus as a child growing up in the church, but her faith deepened as she got older and began to truly understand the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. In recent years, she’s leaned into Bible studies as a way to grow even more in her relationship with God.

When she’s not at Riv, Renee enjoys spending time with her family, getting lost in a good book, and tackling jigsaw puzzles. You’ll often find her browsing at her favorite Lansing spot—Horrocks. One verse that encourages her daily is Philippians 4:13, a reminder that even the hard days can be met with strength when God is by your side.

Renee and her husband first connected to Riv during their college years, and they’ve now called it home for more than 13 years.