Pastors Paul and Paula Bishop

Founding Pastor Paul Bishop son of Rev. Raymond and Frankie Bishop of New Albany, Mississippi was born and raised in rural Mississippi.  Early childhood in a pastor's home taught him the ups and downs of ministry and it was in this environment that a love for ministers and a passion for the lost was born and nurtured.

At an early age he heard the voice of God and began to answer the call to sing and serve in the local church in nearly every facet of ministry. As young as his teen years he was pioneering youth outreaches in the local high school and street meetings around the town. He served as the state youth director and local music minister circa 1980.

In 1982 he married Paula (Russell) Bishop. Paula was raised in Madisonville, Kentucky, the daughter of a coal miner. Paula's family on both sides were strong believers in Jesus Christ and instilled these beliefs deep in her heart from a child. Paula's grandfather, James O. Russell was a pioneer preacher who had a gift to pray for the sick and see great miracles. Her grandfather was her pastor at the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church where she grew up, until she married and moved to New  Albany, Mississippi and began her ministry with Paul there. They both began to serve together in music ministry. They served as ministers of music and music pastors at Victory Church in New Albany, Mississippi, Truth Tabernacle in Springfield, Missouri, and New Life Christian Center in Lancaster, Ohio respectively.

In 1995 Paul and Paula were called to found the River Valley Life Center to establish a place of worship and seek the due order of God for God's people in their city. The call would also be to help bring restoration and healing to the lives of people who had been hurt, broken, or disillusioned by "man-made religious systems." They also seek to make a place for people who are hungry for a deeper and greater move of God in worship to find that experience.

Pastor Paul has taught hundreds of personal Bible Studies and small groups over the last twenty years sowing the seeds of passionate worship in the hearts of many. He is now functioning as an Apostle to those among the harvest who now have ministries of their own.

They have one daughter, Lindsay, who serves with them in ministry at the River. Lindsay is the leader of the Signing and Dance Team "Hands of the River". She also has made herself available to serve in many other capacities of ministry.