Pastor Karen Haynes

Karen joined the RVCC staff in July 1998 as Children’s pastor and served in that position until 2021 at which time she turned it over to her grandson – Shiloh Goodwin.

Prior to coming to RVCC she spent 5 years on the mission field in Minsk Belarus where she served as children’s pastor in a church plant there as well as helping develop the church’s worship team. She also worked with Christ for the Nations – Belarus with worship and training students how to effectively minister to children.

Before helping with the church plant in Belarus she spent 3 years as children’s minister at Abundant Life Church in River Falls, WI. Because of her connections in Belarus and her heart for the people of that nation she started leading mission teams into Belarus in 2000 eventually evolving into longer trips which included Hungary & Romania. She’s also done mission work with children in Mexico, Jamaica, Poland and Ukraine. Since coming on staff at RVCC she has also served in other ministries over the years such as: community outreaches, missions & special Women’s events.

She has an accumulation of over 35 years of working with children in the church, teaching and training them how to “know God and know His ways.” Her message to the church is this: “children are not just the church of the future, but a very vital part of the church today. God needs them to reach those in their own realm of influence that adults are unable to reach with the gospel. Children are the LIGHT that shines brightly in their schools, neighborhoods, sport’s teams and the church needs them to be trained and equipped to do the work of the ministry!”

Karen is now the Children’s Ministry “resource” person for all the churches within the RVFM organization. She also coordinates RVFM’s annual Women’s Christmas Tea, and Women’s Get Away.