Hi, I'm RickyB! As a native Kansan, I moved to the desert in the Fall of 2019 and soon began attending Hope Palm Springs, now River of Hope. Loving the passion of our developing congregation, I joined the Launch Team in 2020. In addition to taking notes during meetings, I am leading the Worship team.

Formerly, I was the Choir Director/Accompanist at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Topeka. In addition to my musical responsibilities, I also served on their Worship Committee, planning services and themes for the liturgical seasons.

Coming Soon.

Hello, I am from Minneapolis, where most of my family lives, including my 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. I'm able to see them quite often as I am still working on a monthly basis. I love being here in Palm Springs all of the other time. I'm excited to be serving on council at this time in the young life of River of Hope. We are poised to continue growing and offering an important worship and service community to Palm Springs and beyond. I have served on church council and as congregation president in other churches. I am grateful to bring what I learned in those previous settings to this exciting, and at times challenging, setting we find ourselves in today. I look forward to the months and years ahead to see what God has in store for us as we seek to do God's will for the sake of our neighbor in this place—and beyond.

Coming soon.

John Dubler is a retired IT Project Manager who has lived in Palm Springs since 2020.  He is married to his husband for the last 11 years, and enjoys traveling and cooking.  He enjoys running and recently joined the Palm Springs Gay Mens Chorus.  He grew up in the Chicago area, moved to NY (where he met his future husband), and they moved to Los Angeles together over 35 years ago. 

Ken has served multiple churches as Organist, Pianist, Choir Director and/or Council member for over 40 years, including 10 years at Bristol Lutheran Church ELCA as Director of Music Ministry.  In his secular life his background is in finance and non-profit management. After frequent visits to Palm Springs, Ken moved to the desert full time in September 2019 accepting the role of Director of Music for Bloom in the Desert UCC. His first experience with River of Hope was a Sunday evening service at Temple Isaiah that fall. Then came COVID and he ended up serving every Sunday for Bloom, leading all music from his home, on Zoom for over a year. Ken lives with his fiancé Augustus, friend Brian and Brian's cat Raven in Cathedral City. 

I was born in Fargo, North Dakota, lived in San Diego for 45 years and moved to Palm Desert in 2003.  

My first wife was a Lutheran pastor, Rev. Laurie Line. I remarried to Barbara Tilley in 2005. I have two grown children living in San Diego. I enjoy hiking,  playing golf, and playing with our our four cats.   
Contact information via text: 619-520-9431. My daughter, Rachel Line works for the Pacifica Synod and introduced me to Pastor Tim.  

Hello, I’m Paul Molinelli.  I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and have made Chicago my home for nearly 40 years. In 2010 I purchased a small “getaway” condo here in Palm Springs and have grown to be very fond of The Desert. I am now mostly retired from simultaneous careers in Arts Administration (30 yrs) and Real Estate (25 yrs).  In my spare time I enjoy active endeavors (biking, hiking, Pickleball, yoga, gym, walking, exploring) as well as motorcycling and doodling around on the piano. And the older I get, the more I find I enjoy life’s simple pleasures. I 1st attended Hope Palm Springs / River of Hope in 2019 at the recommendation of my Chicago Pastor Craig Mueller. I have fond memories of attending Hope Palm Springs outdoors in Victoria Park during the Covid social-distancing era. My views during the service were stunning with Mt. San Jacinto in the background.

I am a preacher, teacher and minister to disadvantaged communities, in particular unhoused families and children, and those who suffer prejudice, abuse and violence for simply being who they are. As a Christian Minister, ordained in 1987, I’ve preached and taught at Protestant and Catholic Churches, offering mystical perspectives on scripture. As a Nonprofit Management Consultant, I have shaped the global strategies of humanitarian organizations, such as Save the Children. As a transgender woman, I was the first-ever trans Member of the Board of the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus, where I led its evolution to the more inclusive Gender & Sexuality Caucus. While I have lived and worked in more than forty countries, I now live and work happily in Palm Springs, where I partner with River of Hope and others to improve lives.

My name is Max Wipperman and I started attending River of Hope in March of 2023 and knew immediately it was a perfect fit. My partner and I moved here from MN 10 years ago after being seasonal residents for 9 years. During all those years I had been attending Our Saviors and I can only say how happy I was when I found River of Hope. I was member of an ELCA church in MN for 25 years so it immediately felt right. Not only did it feel right but the preaching, the music and the people keep me coming back. Sadly my partner of 53 years passed away in April of last year and I must credit the spirituality I received at River of Hope and the friendship of many of its members for helping me through this very life altering event. I look forward to serving River of Hope as a member of the church council.