Bishop Kelvin G. Stewart and Pastor Rhonda Stewart are the founders of Rivers of Joy Ministries located in Jonesboro, Louisiana. They are the proud parents of three lovely children Glenita Leonard, Angelia Jones, and Timothy Stewart. They are also grandparents of Chase, Chance, and Destine Leonard.

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In 1991 Bishop Kelvin and Pastor Rhonda Stewart began teaching bible studies in the homes of local residents in the Jonesboro area designed to encourage their faith.

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In 1992 Rivers of Joy Ministries was established and the bible studies begin to flourish.  The Ministry leased an Old fish market building located at 741 Pershing Hwy and renovated it.   Because Jonesboro, La. is located in a rural area with a population of less than 4,000 people, the ministry began to reach out to surrounding areas and membership began to increase. Young adults, college students from Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech and University of Louisiana Monroe became active members and in 1998 they purchased land to build their new sanctuary. 

Bishop Kelvin G. Stewart and Pastor Rhonda Stewart’s vision to build a new sanctuary was completed in 2008 and is located at 1723 East Main St.  Their Ministry expands to Homer, Alexandria, Grambling, Shreveport, and Minden. The churches vision is to “Love God, Love People, Serve People and Impact lives”.

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In addition, Rivers of Joy Ministries established a faith base program known as JOY I.M.P.A.C.T. Inc. The program’s mission is to provide youth and young adults with the resources and information needed to become productive citizens academically and economically in Jackson parish. Programs offered include Entrepreneurship training, 1st Time Youth Offenders assistance, Youth Mentorship, and Job Readiness Training. This program has been a second to first time offenders.

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Rivers of Joy Ministries is in a small rural area but with a large mindset thriving to access the Kingdom of God and to empower and bring God’s people closer to a higher way of Thinking!