Joseph Velarde serves as the Lead Pastor of Riverbend Community Church. He is originally from Atlanta, GA. As an intern at Northstar Church, God started working on his heart about church planting. He graduated from Baptist Bible College with a B.S. in Bible and Communications. He has served as a youth pastor for three years at Salem Bible Church in Macungie, PA. He also has worked as a campus pastor at The Journey Church in New York City. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and watching sports. Joseph is married to his beautiful college sweetheart Amy. They were married in 2004 and currently live in Allentown, PA.

Ryan Knepp is a life-long resident of the Lehigh Valley. After graduating from high school, Ryan earned a degree in Psychology and Communication from Muhlenberg College. More importantly, he met his wife Lindsey there. After graduating, Ryan went on to work in sales, mental health, and social work.  He also worked in youth ministry for over two years where he met Shad and Joseph and eventually partnered with them to start Riverbend. Ryan served in a volunteer capacity at Riverbend as an Elder for several years, and came on full-time staff as the Executive Pastor in November 2011 . Lindsey has her master’s degree in public health. They both stay busy with sports, the outdoors, and their sons, Jonathan and Levi.