Our Team
Staff
Barbara Orthner (Co-Pastor)
Barbara Orthner and her family had the privilege of being part of the early development and leadership of the Raleigh Vineyard. Prior to the Lord redirecting her life and calling her into ordained ministry in 2001, Barbara earned her doctorate in psychology.
She studied theology and ministry at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. Currently, Barbara serves as co-lead pastor of the church with responsibilities for preaching, teaching, pastoral care and ministries related to spiritual growth. Barbara enjoys long walks and traveling with her husband, Dennis, interesting conversations, nature photography, and building Legos with her 5 energetic grandsons.
Dan Rivera (Co-Pastor)
Dan Rivera joined the Vineyard staff in February 2007. Prior to pastoring in Raleigh, Dan worked as senior engineering Aide and CAD technician, while serving as an Associate and Youth Pastor in New Jersey, where he was ordained. Dan is presently pursuing his Bachelors in Christian Leadership from Lee University. He provides pastoral care for the children and student ministries in the Raleigh Vineyard. He also has responsibilities for preaching and teaching. Dan enjoys fishing with his son and friends, watching movies with his wife, reading, and traveling. Dan and his wife Ezmy, who is the church admin and co-youth pastor, have been married for 15 years. They have two beautiful children, Danny Jr. and Keila Rivera.
Email Address: dan@raleighvineyard.org
Eva Waithe (Children's Ministry Leader)
Eva Waithe was born in Trindad and Tobago in the West Indies. She is the blessed mother of 3 beautiful children and 5 awesome grandchildren. Eva has a Bachelors degree in education from Peace College and a Bachelors degree in social work from UNC Wilmington. She taught special education students for 15 years. She joined the staff as a Children's Ministry Leader in 2010. She enjoys going to the movies with her friends and playing exciting games with her grandchildren.
Ezmy Rivera (Church Administrator)
Ezmy Rivera joined the Vineyard staff, with her husband Dan, in 2007. She serves with Dan in the oversight of children's and student ministries in the Vineyard. She was born in Vineland, N.J., where she served as a youth leader, church admin, and children's department overseer at her local church. Ezmy enjoys Monday family nights, traveling to the mountains and photography.
Email Address: vineyard@raleighvineyard.org
Elders
The Raleigh Vineyard Church is led by our pastors who are accountable to the Board of Elders under our bylaws. The Elders provide counsel to our pastors and leaders and oversee the ministries and finances of the church. The following team make up our Board of Elders:
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Scott McNeill (Board President)
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Barbara Orthner
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Dan Rivera
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Jackie Hughes
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Sumit Deshpande
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Bekki Collis
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Don Hall
Ministry Leaders