2025 Connections Ministry Reports
By Shoua Khang & Max Baranayuk

Shoua Khang • Connections Director (STP)
January 25, 2026

4 Minute Read

St. Paul Campus

SUBMITTED BY SHOUA (HILLS) KHANG

I began serving as Connections Director in May 2025, and it has truly been a joy to step into this role. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the first impression people experience when they come to RiverLife St. Paul.

The Connections Ministry exists to create a welcoming and meaningful environment for everyone who walks through our doors. I oversee three key teams—Parking Lot, Greeters, and Café—working to ensure that each area functions together to help people feel seen, valued, and at home from the moment they arrive.

From the parking lot to the sanctuary, our goal is to cultivate a space that is warm, organized, safe, and relational. We want every member and guest to experience genuine hospitality and the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Ministry Areas

  • Parking Lot Team – The parking lot team plays an essential role in setting the tone for the morning. They provide safety, organization, and a friendly welcome from the very first interaction. Their presence helps families feel at ease before they even enter the building.
  • Greeters – Our greeters serve as the bridge between arrival and belonging. They intentionally welcome families, offer assistance, and help people feel comfortable navigating the space. A simple smile, handshake, or conversation often makes the difference between feeling like a visitor and feeling like part of the family.
  • Café Team – The Café creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where conversations can happen naturally. It has become a space where relationships grow and a deeper sense of belonging is formed. Hospitality continues beyond the sanctuary as people connect over coffee and refreshments.

Together, these teams help establish an atmosphere of security, trust, and loving relationships. Each volunteer plays a vital role in making Sundays inviting, safe, and life-giving.

Looking Ahead

As Connections Director, my heart moving forward is to continue cultivating a culture where all are truly welcome—where hospitality reflects the heart of Christ and every person who walks in feels noticed, cared for, and valued. I’m excited to continue strengthening our teams and growing in excellence and joy as we serve together.

Brooklyn Park Campus

SUBMITTED BY MAX BARANAYUK

In mid-November, I fully stepped into the role of Connections Director at Brooklyn Park. Since then, I’ve spent time learning how our Café, greeters, and ushers currently function and identifying areas of strength and growth.

The Café team is doing very well and operates in a largely self-sufficient way. It has become an important part of our Sunday experience. Through conversations and observation, I’ve noticed that three things consistently draw both guests and regulars to RiverLife: friendliness, familiarity, and food. People often mention how welcoming our church feels, how they see friends and family here, and how much they appreciate the food and drinks. These are real strengths.

With that in mind, I introduced a goal for our greeters to aim for five points of contact with new and fairly new guests. The purpose is simple: we want visitors to connect with multiple people, not just one, so they begin building real relationships right away.

Ministry Areas

  • Café: Continues to be a strong and positive presence. The food and drinks are enjoyed by many, and occasional additions—like soup—help create a warm, homey atmosphere.
  • Greeters: Though our team is small, they do a great job making people feel welcome. We would love to build this team with more volunteers.
  • Ushers: With many people giving online, ushers are often finished quickly, but they remain an important part of the service flow and hospitality experience.

Looking Ahead to 2026

My goal for 2026 is to strengthen the qualities that already make BP special—friendliness, familiarity, and hospitality. I also hope to train at least three additional volunteers who embody these values.

I’m grateful for the strong foundation already in place and look forward to continuing to build a culture where everyone who walks through our doors feels seen, known, and welcomed.

Stay connected by subscribing below so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Reports Updates

By subscribing, you agree to receive email communication from RiverLife Church. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Up Next
From this Tag: Connections
Currently Reading
January 25, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
2025 Connections Ministry Reports
St. Paul Campus SUBMITTED BY SHOUA (HILLS) KHANG I began serving as Connections Director in May 2025, and it has truly been a joy to step into this role. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the first impression people experience when they come to RiverLife St. Paul. The Connections Ministry exists to create a welcoming and meaningful environment for everyone who walks through our doors. I oversee three key teams—Parking Lot, Greeters, and Café—working to ensure that each area functions together to help people feel seen, valued, and at home from the moment they arrive. From the parking lot to the sanctuary, our goal is to cultivate a space that is warm, organized, safe, and relational. We want every member and guest to experience genuine hospitality and the love of Christ in tangible ways. Ministry Areas Parking Lot Team – The parking lot team plays an essential role in setting the tone for the morning. They provide safety, organization, and a friendly welcome from the very first interaction. Their presence helps families feel at ease before they even enter the building. Greeters – Our greeters serve as the bridge between arrival and belonging. They intentionally welcome families, offer assistance, and help people feel comfortable navigating the space. A simple smile, handshake, or conversation often makes the difference between feeling like a visitor and feeling like part of the family. Café Team – The Café creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where conversations can happen naturally. It has become a space where relationships grow and a deeper sense of belonging is formed. Hospitality continues beyond the sanctuary as people connect over coffee and refreshments. Together, these teams help establish an atmosphere of security, trust, and loving relationships. Each volunteer plays a vital role in making Sundays inviting, safe, and life-giving. Looking Ahead As Connections Director, my heart moving forward is to continue cultivating a culture where all are truly welcome—where hospitality reflects the heart of Christ and every person who walks in feels noticed, cared for, and valued. I’m excited to continue strengthening our teams and growing in excellence and joy as we serve together. Brooklyn Park Campus SUBMITTED BY MAX BARANAYUK In mid-November, I fully stepped into the role of Connections Director at Brooklyn Park. Since then, I’ve spent time learning how our Café, greeters, and ushers currently function and identifying areas of strength and growth. The Café team is doing very well and operates in a largely self-sufficient way. It has become an important part of our Sunday experience. Through conversations and observation, I’ve noticed that three things consistently draw both guests and regulars to RiverLife: friendliness, familiarity, and food. People often mention how welcoming our church feels, how they see friends and family here, and how much they appreciate the food and drinks. These are real strengths. With that in mind, I introduced a goal for our greeters to aim for five points of contact with new and fairly new guests. The purpose is simple: we want visitors to connect with multiple people, not just one, so they begin building real relationships right away. Ministry Areas Café: Continues to be a strong and positive presence. The food and drinks are enjoyed by many, and occasional additions—like soup—help create a warm, homey atmosphere. Greeters: Though our team is small, they do a great job making people feel welcome. We would love to build this team with more volunteers. Ushers: With many people giving online, ushers are often finished quickly, but they remain an important part of the service flow and hospitality experience. Looking Ahead to 2026 My goal for 2026 is to strengthen the qualities that already make BP special—friendliness, familiarity, and hospitality. I also hope to train at least three additional volunteers who embody these values. I’m grateful for the strong foundation already in place and look forward to continuing to build a culture where everyone who walks through our doors feels seen, known, and welcomed.

Shoua Khang

Connections Director (STP)