Meet Our Staff
Jessica Brown
Administrative and Operations Manager
Originally from Connecticut, Jessica and her family were blessed with the opportunity to move to South Carolina four years ago. Since then, they’ve grown to love the community and have found great joy in being part of Riverbend Church.
Jessica serves as the Administrative and Operations Manager, where she plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day functions of the church. She works closely with the elders, staff, and volunteers to ensure that the behind-the-scenes details are handled with care and excellence. Her heart for service and organization helps create an environment where ministry can flourish.
Jessica is passionate about building relationships and meeting people where they are. She values authentic connection and sees each interaction as an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.
Outside of her role at the church, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and their three wonderful children. Some of her favorite moments are spent in their backyard, reading her Bible, watching hummingbirds, and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. She continues to grow in her walk with the Lord and is grateful to be part of what God is doing through the Riverbend Church family. One of her favorite verses is, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. (Peter 4:8)
Randy Wilson
Worship Leader & Teaching Team Member
Randy Wilson is originally from New Orleans. He and his wife, Lynn, have lived in downtown Columbia for the past 33 years. Randy and Lynn have three adult children; Anna, Caleb, and Sarah Beth.
Randy acts as RCC's Worship Leader, and is a part of the preaching team as Teaching Pastor. Randy enjoys being practically involved in Kingdom ministry. He loves leading people into God’s presence in musical worship. He also loves creatively teaching God’s word with a shepherd’s heart. One thing he has asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to meditate in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)
When Randy isn't too busy with work or church responsibilities, you can find him enjoying cycling, kayaking, playing guitar, reading, and picking on drummers named “Nate-Dawg!”
Ryan McDaniel
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Ryan McDaniel grew up in Florence, South Carolina but came to the Lexington area 9 years ago, through Columbia International University. During his time at CIU he attended here at Riverbend and volunteered with our youth program. CIU is also where he met his wife Mary, and they have now been married for 5 years. They have two young children: Raleigh and McKay.
Ryan serves Riverbend as the Youth Ministry Coordinator. His favorite part about working at the church is coming alongside students and parents to help them be the families God intended them to be. His favorite verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
When Ryan is not with families or the office, He enjoys ultimate frisbee, disc golf, gaming, and anything else that he can do outside with his family
Nicole Walters
Part-Time Children's Ministry Staff – Riverbend Kids
Nicole Walters grew up in Inman, SC, and later moved to Columbia, where she earned her Master’s degree in Economics from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband, Andrew, have been married since 2009. She is currently homeschooling her three children. They have been actively involved at Riverbend for over a decade.
As the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Nicole is passionate about encouraging and equipping parents to disciple their children with confidence and joy. She believes the church plays a vital role in supporting families as they seek to build their homes on the foundation of God’s Word. Nicole is continually grateful for God’s faithfulness through both the challenges and joys of life.
Nicole’s favorite books of the Bible are Ephesians and Philippians, but she finds herself often encouraged by verses like Psalm 51:1 and Hebrews 12:1–2, which remind her of God's mercy and the call to perseverance in the Christian life.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
Zach Beam
Part-Time Children's Ministry Staff – Riverbend Kids
Zach Beam graduated from West Coast Baptist College with a degree in evangelism, and has been serving in children’s ministry for most of his life. He loves seeing kids light up with those “aha!” moments as they discover God’s truth for themselves and grow in their faith. Zach is a grateful husband and a proud father, who considers it a joy to partner with families in pointing kids to Jesus.
When he’s not serving in church, you’ll usually find Zach spending time with his family or catching a Red Sox baseball game. His favorite Bible verse for children’s ministry is “So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard!” Samuel 21:13
Karen Hart
Preschool Administrative Director
Karen Hart grew up in Columbia, SC. She and her husband, Charlie, have been married for 35 years and have 2 adult children, Christopher and Caroline. They recently moved from Mount Pleasant, SC where they lived for the last 19 years.
Karen serves as Riverbend's Preschool Director. She is excited to be a new member of the staff and to see how God is going to use her to lead the preschool. One of her favorite scripture passages is from Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
When Karen isn't working at the preschool, she enjoys family time, reading, sewing, gardening, and hanging out with her dogs, Maddie and Holly.
Jean Croft
Accountant
Jean is originally from Darlington, SC but moved to Lexington 33 years ago. She has been married to Jay Croft for 31 years. They have three adult children: Rachel, Ben, and Anna.
She serves as Riverbend’s Accountant and has been serving with RCC since 2003. Jean’s favorite part about working with Riverbend is the staff, elders, and members of the church. Her favorite scripture comes from Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When Jean isn’t working with numbers and money, you can find her baking, reading a good book, and going for a run.
Marcela Simmons
Custodian
Marcela is originally from Mexico, and then lived in Seattle for 19 years. She has been working as a custodian at Riverbend since 2018, and is an active church member alongside her husband Steve.
Marcela loves working at Riverbend - she enjoys worshipping the Lord while she is cleaning. Her favorite scripture is "do not be afraid...for the Lord is with you wherever you go" - Joshua 1:9.
When Marcela isn't working, she enjoys going for long walks and singing.