(587) 333-5116
About River Rock Ministries
Christian Church & Faith-Based
Organization in Calgary, AB
Company Bio
At River Rock Ministries, our core mission is to glorify God by loving Him wholeheartedly - with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength - and to love our neighbors as ourselves. As a Christian Church in Calgary, we are deeply committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ, equipping them to navigate life with faith, hope, and love, and empowering them to make a significant impact in the world with the gospel of salvation. Our vision is to create a welcoming and inclusive community, a faith-based organization where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can discover acceptance, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
We stand firmly on the authority of the Bible, considering it the inspired and infallible Word of God. We believe in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to bring about healing and wholeness in the lives of individuals. Our ultimate goal is to bring glory to God in everything we do and to fulfill the great commission by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ far and wide. Our senior and assistant pastors invite you to join our multicultural religious organization in Calgary for prayer, and worship, and to become part of our faith-based community.
PASTOR GEORGE (SAM) AND SOPHI SAMUEL
This faith-driven, Singapore-born, former commando traveled from where the sun rises to where the sun sets to find supernatural provision – not only in his debt-free education as an engineer in Texas but in meeting his Canadian wife that God had prepared for him. Sophi, who self-describes herself as a coconut, came to Canada as a baby from southern India. She owns and manages a recruitment company while serving the Church in praise/worship and administration. Sam and Sophi are different in many ways but have the same vision – to share the love of God with the nations.
Senior Pastors
PASTOR SURESH AND DEBORAH KANAGARAJAH
Sri Lanka and Malaysia have a super couple in these two. Suresh was born into a Hindu family and was devout to his religion until the love of God radically touched and transformed him. He has traveled to 27 countries and has lived in 5. He is a talented local chef here in Calgary. His beautiful, supportive wife, Deborah, has worked in the banking industry for years and is gifted in teaching and music. Together they exude the love of God to everyone they encounter.
Assistant Pastor
PASTOR JOSEPH AND MARIA ALEXANDER
Both Joseph and Maria were born in Kerala, India. They married in 1970 and have three children and two grandchildren. They have served the Church and their communities for over 50 years. They have a genuine heart and go above and beyond to show love to others. In 2015 Pastor Joseph handed over the torch of senior pastorship to his son-in-law, Pastor Sam. Pastor Joseph and Maria continue to serve the body of Christ in advisory and ministerial capacities. During the winter months, they return to their home state of Kerala, where they continue to serve and be active in ministry.
Retired Founding Pastor
RAY AND LYNN CORNELL
Ray is a Calgarian-born gentleman, and lovely Lynn hails from Regina, Saskatchewan. Ray has many years under his famous belt buckle in log home manufacturing to sales and real estate. Lynn has worked many years for a local cardiologist work as a registered nurse. The two met at a young adult meeting in Downtown Full Gospel Church a “few” years back, and today they are River Rock’s local sweethearts – loved and respected by all. Ray and Lynn have one daughter and two spirited red-headed granddaughters. They were very close friends of Sam and Sophi’s for many years before coming on board at the Church.
Elders
Timothy & Diep Nguyen
Timothy has been part of River Rock since the beginning (when it was named Agape). His personal story is truly one of Amazing Grace. He fled Northern Vietnam in a boat and gave his life to Jesus in 1992 while detained in a Hong Kong refugee camp. God opened a door for Timothy to come to Canada, where he has lived for 25+ years. He is married to an adorable, hardworking, and joyful woman named Diep. Together they have two young, energetic sons who keep them on their toes. They are faithful and generous in all that they do.
Deacon
Johnson & Preetha Kuruvilla
This man who gave his life to Jesus in 1995 may initially seem quiet and shy, but he loves to bond and laugh with others. While he has a talent in the kitchen and can cook up just about anything from nothing, his true passion is for his exuberant, mission-focused wife, Preetha, and three wonderful sons. They have numerous testimonies of God’s protection and provision while living in India, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Together, Johnson and his family exemplify the verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
Deacon
Our Mission
River Rock Ministries is more than just a place of worship; we are a Christian Church in Calgary that seeks to make a tangible difference in the world. Our commitment extends beyond our congregation to impact the community with acts of love, kindness, and service. We believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to those in need and spreading the message of hope and salvation to all corners of the earth.
What we believe
Our beliefs are grounded in the principles of the Bible, from the sanctity of Sacred Scripture to the anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. We emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with God, regular fellowship, spiritual equipping, and the healing power of faith. Our church is a beacon of hope and a faith-based organization committed to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives
FAQ
Ready for a Daily Dose of Inspiration?
Our doors are always open to those seeking a Christian Church in Calgary or a faith-based organization where they can grow spiritually and make a positive impact on the world. Whether you are looking for a place to attend services, participate in special groups, receive prayer support, get involved in serving and ministry, or engage in outreach activities, River Rock Ministries welcomes you to join our community of faith, hope, and love.