Gabe & Breanna Rivera
Faith Church, West Palm Beach, Florida

Gabe Rivera (Class of 2019) is the Campus Pastor at Faith Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he oversees church assimilations, connections, students, and young adult ministry statewide. His wife, Breanna Rivera (Class of 2020), is the Outreach and Events Coordinator for all Florida campuses—including the third campus, which will launch later this year.
In a season of many applications, relocation, and praying for God to speak, Gabe and Breanna Rivera launched into ministry during a global pandemic. Having served at their campus for nearly five years, the Riveras can confidently say that God opened the right door at the right time.
Not knowing where to go, what to do, or how to find jobs when the world was shut down, the unforeseen future felt daunting. “I asked God, ‘Why now? Why me?'” Gabe shared. “We had no clue what was going to happen. We were lost, honestly, completely lost.”
Gabe and Breanna connected with the Highlands College Team to seek pastoral guidance. The advice was simple yet profound. “We were waiting on God to call us to a specific church,” Gabe said, “but the Ministry Placement Team encouraged us to walk by faith and act on it.”
That day, the Riveras applied to 11 churches in multiple states. Prayer was their biggest key. “At the time, it was a scary prayer to pray, but we asked God, ‘If it’s the right door, leave it open, and if it’s the wrong door, close it,'” Breanna said.
Doors began closing—all but one. “Faith Church decided to test-run a position for Gabe that did not previously exist. They were considering hiring me after they saw what Gabe’s role looked like in Florida. God was working on our behalf,” Breanna said.
The Riveras arrived in Palm Beach County—one of the most unchurched counties in America—just before the church’s relaunch season. Since then, their campus has more than doubled in attendance. “It’s been a wild ride,” Gabe said, “but we’re living in answered prayers.”

Pastor Gabe delivers a message at a Sunday service.

Breanna hosts the awards for Faith Church’s Lead Conference, an annual conference for Dream Team.

Pastors David and Nicole Crank instill Gabe as the Campus Pastor of the West Palm Beach campus.
Be on the lookout for the Riveras’ ministry experience while Pastoring the Most Unchurched County in America—releasing soon in the Highlands College Eternal Impact Magazine.
If you’ve recently transitioned roles, are seeking an open door, or need guidance, connect with the Ministry Placement Team on the Alumni Network for support from your HC Family.