Kenny Johnson, President
A native of Grundy County, I farmed with my father after high school on the small farm where I grew up.
I met my wife, Dwanna, in high school. We married in 1973; together we raised four children. Our youngest son took over the farm operation. In 2013 we moved to Dike.
I own Grainway, a company, along with my partner Clarence Sherfield. We design conveyors to move grain and other commodities throughout the United States, Canada, and international companies.
At the age of 13, I asked the Lord into my life while attending the Reformed Camp in Eldora, IA. We presently attend the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
With my wife we serve as mentors to youth groups and to trips for missions. Serving the Lord on church committees and singing in the choir led me to look elsewhere to serve.
My parents took me to Riverview as a small boy. For the past 10 years, I was drawn to this important place to work on the grounds. Later I was asked to serve on the Riverview Board.
It has been a privilege to serve the Lord in different capacities. My main goal through life and the Cedar Falls Bible Conference is to lead people to Christ.
Mike McKinney, Vice President
Mike grew up on a grain and livestock farm in North Central Indiana. He is dating himself, but was saved by two catholic sisters sharing the salvation message while in first grade. Mike was raised in the church, but never started to mature in his faith until he joined an evangelical church in Cedar Falls. Mike never anticipated the blessings that came with an un-requested job change, but God was already at work.
Mike met my wife Deb on the school bus. He was a sophomore and she was starting jr. high. They started dating Mike’s senior year and have been together ever since; now celebrating 40 years of marriage. Our son and family live in our neighborhood and our daughter works for the government in Green Bay, WI. Mike started working at John Deere while in college and retired after 37 years of service. He now plays with the big toys on the family farm during the field work seasons.
Mike was introduced to the Cedar Falls Bible Conference by a church friend and mentor. He has long enjoyed the excellent teachers and messages God has provided. Serving on the Riverview Board and hopefully providing some leadership as the Lord leads, Mike prays is a way to use the talents He has provided. Mike and the rest of the Board covets your prayers as groups increasingly look for a faith-based event center, as well as for the upcoming Cedar Falls Bible Conference centennial celebration.
A favorite Bible phrase is Matthew 18:1-5 — At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.
Ralph Scheidecker, Treasurer
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
I was blessed to grow up on a dairy farm near Clarksville and value the memory of my Christian parents. I was saved at the age of 10 and can say that I have enjoyed the blessings of the Lord through the many years with my wife, two children and three grandchildren.
After high school, I attended Iowa State University and obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering with a stint in the US Army in between. Most of my professional career was at IBM, as well three other companies, retiring in 2019 from VT Industries. We returned back to the family farms about 25 years ago where I have been farming on the side and currently enjoy farming full time in retirement.
My family fellowships with the Charles City Assembly and have been going to Riverview Conference Center for 60+ years as part of Iowa Bible Conference. In addition, over the last 10 years, I have been an active part of a gospel ministry in the Philippines. The importance of the Riverview Conference Center in so many lives motivates the board to make this a place that continues to stay true to God’s word and provides a vision for the future as we look forward to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John Butler
Psalm 107 shares this insight: “Let the Redeemed of the Lord say this-those he deemed say so.”
I was redeemed when a teenager. My parents divorced when I was nine. “God placed His protective hand on you,” said a former pastor’s wife. Her husband cleared the way for me to go to a Bible college where I met my wife, Jean; I as a Illinois’ native and she from Baltimore, MD.
After teaching in Indiana high schools, I received degrees, then moved to higher educational institutions in Indiana, Iowa, and Louisiana. I experienced organizing classes, directing workshops and conferences for teachers and students, and teaching adults in churches.
This past decade God allowed me to serve as interim pastor in four churches. Now God has led me to serve on the Riverview Ministries Board. This opportunity is a privilege!
Ron Barlett
Operations Manager, Board Secretary
Ron grew up in Waterloo and began attending the Cedar Falls Bible Conference while in junior high. He met his wife, Carol, at the Orchard Hill Reformed Church in Cedar falls, where they both attended. They started dating when they were in college at UNI and got married after Carol graduated. They have now been married for 46 years and have two sons, Justin and Luke. Luke is married to Becky and they have four children.
Ron is a graduate of the North American Baptist Seminary and has been in full-time Christian ministry for almost 40 years. He was a radio announcer at both KNWS and KNWC radio stations, served with Youth For Christ, and has served churches in Valley Springs, SD, Cedar Falls, Parkersburg, Hudson, and now in Dunkerton.
John Woods
I grew up as an Army brat, moving to whatever foreign country or U.S. state my father would eventually be transferred. I was born in Texas, and immediately moved to Germany within months of birth. My father was an officer in the Military Police Corps.
My path was paved to Iowa by way of the U.S. Army. I was drafted in 1968 and assigned a permanent duty station at the Savanna, Army Depot on the banks of the Illinois side of the Mississippi. I served as a NCO in the Military Police Corps, and thus, it was natural for me to seek employment in law enforcement upon exiting the service.
I served on the Clinton PD for six years and the Waterloo PD for sixteen years allowing me enough years to retire. Afterwards, I was employed by Shield Technology Corporation, which is a public safety computer software company. I served as the Director of Technical Services and later moved into sales. I have now retired a second time. Though not an Iowa native, but having lived in Iowa for 40 years now, I fancy myself as a naturalized Iowa citizen. Iowa is home.
While serving on the Waterloo PD, I met my wife, Ann. We have two grown children, Benjamin and Amy, and from them, five grandkids. We have been blessed with 37 years of marriage. I came to know the Lord prior to our marriage through the promptings of my then fiance and soon-to-be mother-in-law. I was 32 years old when I surrendered myself to Jesus and was baptized. Our church home is Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls.
I gained my experience with Riverview Conference Center through many years of attending the Cedar Falls Bible Conference and the many dinner and fundraising events sponsored by the Bible Conference.
I was invited to submit my name for consideration to serve on the Riverview Ministries Board of Directors and was elected to participate. I covet the fact that I belong to and serve on a faith-based Board of Director’s overseeing the perpetuation of the Cedar Falls Bible Conference mission, which is focused on the spiritual life and growth of all people.
My favorite Bible verse is found in Psalms 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.”
Jess Hansen
What an honor to be serving our community through this place set apart! As a child, I remember visiting during the annual Cedar Falls Bible Conference held each summer. As a young college student at UNI, I would come to walk the grounds to find a quiet place to reflect. Now as an adult, I not only come out for different purposes, but I can’t ignore the feeling of being called to Riverview. It’s in between those two places that I believe God is doing a new thing and I’m thankful to be here for it. Is there anything better than being a part of God’s work?
I grew up in a small town Iowa farming community, but have called Cedar Falls home since 1997. My husband, Dave, and I have five wild-at-heart and ever-so-adventurous children whom we love raising here in the Cedar Valley. We have been a part of the local church communities in a variety of ways over the years. Serving within ministries through missions, women’s discipleship, community building, and leadership equipping are a few of our favorite places to serve right now. We are settling into our forties with expectant hearts for what is to come! As I personally started to feel led towards this local ministry at Riverview, I began to believe God is doing something new and there is more to come!
Scott Graen
Galatians 6:9 — And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Scott was born, raised and continues to be invested in the Cedar Valley. He and his wife, Nancy, have been attending the Cedar Falls Bible Conference for over 30 years where biblical teaching has deeply impacted their lives. They regularly walk Riverview grounds envisioning a place that holds great history and the potential to affect souls for decades to come. Scott was baptized, confirmed and married by Pastor Homer Larsen — who also baptized their two children, Ryan and Kathryn. Homer’s evangelical leadership was instrumental in Scott’s spiritual growth and igniting a desire to serve. God continues to open doors for Scott to make an impact in the lives of others — especially in the lives of two of his greatest joys, his grandchildren.
Scott’s early career consisted of being a paramedic and fireman for the City of Cedar Falls. He currently is the National Service Manager for H2l Group based in Minneapolis. He is passionate about safety, and for 36 years, he has made it his aim to make sure that the gymnasium equipment installed in the schools across the country meet and exceed standards set. When he finds some free time, you will probably see him riding his bike on the local trails.
During this season of his life, serving on the Cedar Falls Bible Conference Board is another opportunity for Scott to “do good” for kingdom growth. He can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for this “place set apart”.