Pastors Mikel & Toni Lagaras
Lead Pastors
We are humbled and honored to serve The River Church as the lead pastors of an amazing congregation right here in Warren, Ohio!
We were both born and raised in the Warren area and have a deep connection to the people here and to this region. At TRC, we highly value the Presence of God and the people He brings to us. We desire to live each day with an awareness of His presence and power within us. We still believe that God is in the business of performing miracles here on the earth and He is looking for willing vessels that will just give Him their “Yes.” We are not perfect and will never claim to be, but we live each day with the knowledge that God works through our brokenness and surrender. We firmly believe He rescued us so that our testimony of Christ’s power can help rescue others. Now we live to help rescued people rescue people.
We were both born and raised in the Warren area and have a deep connection to the people here and to this region. At TRC, we highly value the Presence of God and the people He brings to us. We desire to live each day with an awareness of His presence and power within us. We still believe that God is in the business of performing miracles here on the earth and He is looking for willing vessels that will just give Him their “Yes.” We are not perfect and will never claim to be, but we live each day with the knowledge that God works through our brokenness and surrender. We firmly believe He rescued us so that our testimony of Christ’s power can help rescue others. Now we live to help rescued people rescue people.
Pastor Alan Wiebe
Associate Pastor
Alan Wiebe serves as an associate pastor and lead worshiper at The River Church. He is also an excellent teacher. He and his wife Lori have 5 incredible children. They are long time residents of Bristolville, Ohio and have a deep connection to the people here and to this region. At The River Church, we prioritize the Presence of God and the people He brings to us. We strive to live with an awareness of His presence and power within us every day and still believe that God is in the business of performing miracles here on the earth. We are not perfect and will never claim to be, but we live our lives with the knowledge that through brokenness and surrender, God will transform us so that our testimony of Christ’s power can transform others.
Pastor Rob Bateman
Associate Pastor
Pastor Rob serves The River Church in many different capacities.
He oversees our custodial and maintenance teams keeping the church clean and in good working condition. He also serves by training and equipping those that are involved with our Visitation Team. This group has a deep compassion to help those who are unable to attend our church services due to unforeseen circumstances. There are times when life presents us with challenging moments that make it difficult to stay connected. This team desires to lovingly care & minister to people in need of fellowship, scripture reading, devotions, and prayer whether they are at home, a hospital, nursing home, etc. Rob and Tammy Bateman have been married for over 43 years and have three beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. Family is very important to their hearts. It’s with this same kind of love for family, that Rob and Tammy reach out and encourage God’s people with the love of our Heavenly Father.
He oversees our custodial and maintenance teams keeping the church clean and in good working condition. He also serves by training and equipping those that are involved with our Visitation Team. This group has a deep compassion to help those who are unable to attend our church services due to unforeseen circumstances. There are times when life presents us with challenging moments that make it difficult to stay connected. This team desires to lovingly care & minister to people in need of fellowship, scripture reading, devotions, and prayer whether they are at home, a hospital, nursing home, etc. Rob and Tammy Bateman have been married for over 43 years and have three beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. Family is very important to their hearts. It’s with this same kind of love for family, that Rob and Tammy reach out and encourage God’s people with the love of our Heavenly Father.
Pastor Christine Tarr
Associate Pastor
Pastor Christine and her daughter, Ellamae, have been attending The River Church since 2010. She joined our staff in 2015. It is her passion to see children fall in love with God and understand that they can have a real relationship with him as a child. With an atmosphere of worship, fun object lessons, and diving into the Word, her goal is to let each child know that they do not have to wait until they are older to have an incredible, exciting, and fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pastor Linda Beilstein
Associate Pastor
Dean and Linda Beilstein have been married for 44 years. Pastor Linda joined our staff in 2018 as an associate pastor.
Linda serves as an associate pastor with her main focus in counseling. She was trained at Emerge Ministry in Pastoral Counseling. Linda experienced brokenness that was healed through the power and presence of Jesus Christ. She wants to see others set free to live a life of strength, wholeness and courage. They then can have the ability to fulfill the purpose in life that they were created for.
Linda serves as an associate pastor with her main focus in counseling. She was trained at Emerge Ministry in Pastoral Counseling. Linda experienced brokenness that was healed through the power and presence of Jesus Christ. She wants to see others set free to live a life of strength, wholeness and courage. They then can have the ability to fulfill the purpose in life that they were created for.