Mark’s heart is to have people understand their freedom in Christ (Physically, Financially, & Spiritually) and that true worship to God does not just come on Sunday morning, or that it only comes from a song. True worship comes from the heart and can be expressed in any number of ways. Here at TRC, we want to bring Kingdom community to wherever we are so that others can know God.

Pastor Mark and his wife, Jill, have three children. They love to camp and enjoy the great outdoors. One of Mark’s favorite pastimes is going fishing in a river or stream. Pastor Mark has been serving here at the church since 1996, and continues to grow in his love for TRC and the Durango community daily.

I'm a licensed and ordained pastor, a wife, and a mom to three amazing grown kids. Right now, I’m working on my Master of Divinity, diving deeper into theology and ministry. I’m passionate about helping people grow in their faith and creating spaces where they feel like they truly belong.

In my free time, I love reading, camping, and doing puzzles—if I can do all three at once, even better! I also enjoy traveling to different countries and playing games or playing games in different countries...

Oversight of Finances, Buildings, and Grounds. 

Mark has been a passionate worshiper for as long as he can remember, blending a love for music and ministry with a career in tech. He’s all about entering into moments where people can genuinely connect with God—whether through a full-band Sunday experience or an intimate acoustic night of worship. Since his teenage years, he’s been creating spaces where people can encounter the beauty and power of God’s presence. He believes worship isn’t just about songs; it’s about a life lived in response to who God is.

Ashley moved to Durango in 2014 from Texas. She has been serving in our church since 2015 with our children's ministry. She has a deep desire to help empower parents to raise the next generation of disciples. Watching families discover the freedom and grace that Jesus brings to life is one of her greatest joys.

Ashley and her husband Josh have 6 wonderful children. They have seen God take the ashes of life and build a beautiful family. They hope to be a light to the community for all the families who have seen dark and broken moments.

When she gets a spare moment with her family, Ashley likes to hike and work outside. She enjoys redoing furniture while listening to a good audiobook.

He leads the Youth ministry and cultivating relationships with the students to disciple them in their relationship with Jesus. 

 Hi there! My name is Annie Chacon, I am originally from Ojo Caliente which is near the Santa Fe area. I moved to Durango for a seasonal job as a food manager at Cross Bar X and soon after I  began working full time for the City of Durango, as an Analyst for Community Development. I love living in Colorado as it challenges me to be more active in the community. I really enjoy time at the lake paddle boarding, hiking, exploring new trails with friends, or even exploring restaurants & coffee shops. 
I am excited to work with the River Church especially to meet new people of all ages and build my God given skills to grow and thrive with our amazing community!
Annie oversees our office and helps keep everything running smoothly. She works closely with several volunteer groups and is the first point of contact when contacting the office.

Ruelon serves as the Creative Director at The River Church, where he leads all things creative and digital, from Sunday slides and social media to videos and outreach campaigns. With a passion for sharing stories that reflect what God is doing, Ruelon helps make sure every person feels seen, welcomed, and invited into the life of the church.

In addition to his role in communications, Ruelon has a deep heart for young adults and youth ministry. He believes the next generation isn’t just the future of the church, they're a vital part of it right now. Whether through mentoring, leadership, or behind-the-scenes support, Ruelon is all in on helping them grow in faith and purpose.

Outside of church life, you’ll likely find him laughing with friends, eating sushi, sipping coffee, or dreaming up the next creative project.