Kroeske Family

Meet our Founders

Ben & Jacky Kroeske 

Ben and Jacky Kroeske came to the Netherlands in 2013 with the vision for the Netherlands and Europe burning in their hearts!

Ben, as a native Dutch, and Jacky, from Puerto Rico, met each other while attending the River Bible Institute in Tampa, Florida where they got married.

After graduating with a Bachelor of the Arts in Theology, they were hired as full-time staff at the River at Tampa Bay Church & Revival Ministries International.

In 2013, they were ordained through Revival Ministries International Ministerial Association for the work the Lord has called them to do in the Netherlands.

They are leading a fruitful and rapidly growing Church in Amsterdam and an Evangelistic Ministry.

In 2015 they founded the River Bible Institute Netherlands which has over 120 students in 2021. They also lead the Multimedia Outreach and Revival Events.

We invite you to partner with these ministries of the River Foundation; to Raise up new leaders, Reach the lost and Revive the Church – in Holland and beyond.

Our Story and Vision

Discover the Story and vision of the River Foundation

About Ben & Jacky Kroeske

Ben & Jacky Kroeske are the lead Pastors at the River Amsterdam Church where they preach most Sundays, as well as the main teachers of the River Bible Institut. They have an active YouTube Channel with over 200 videos and 70.000+ video views. Ben & Jacky are regularly invited to preach at churches in Holland and abroad.

Ben & Jacky Kroeske have often been featured in the media, for example in Charisma Magazine Netherlands and on National Television on the show Hour of Power.

Ben has also authored two books; the first one is called Voorziener about God’s Provision for His children. His second book will be published later this year.

Ben & Jacky Kroeske are open to invitations to speak at churches, schools, conferences and events. To inquire about their availability or to invite them, you may contact us.

Ben Kroeske Speaking

“All the years that Ben served in the Bible School and worked in the Church, he displayed huge dedication and a high level of trustworthiness.”

Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, Revival Ministries Intl.

”He was just a ‘boy’ when I met Ben for the first time at his parents home. Until I heard that he left to the United States and was doing a Bible School there. What he learned there, you can’t learn from a book; Ben learned that God is his provider. 

Just when everything was going great, God asked him to burn all his ships behind him and come back to the Netherlands. A new adventure was awaiting him and Jacky. But their big God, the Provider, proved himself again to them in mighty ways. This all formed this ‘boy’ that I knew, to become a special man of faith.”  –  Jaap Dieleman, Founder of De Heilbode and Abba Child Care

Ministry Staff

Bible School, Multimedia and Revival Events Staff

David Gasser

David Gasser

Originally being from Switzerland, David moved to Tampa Florida, USA where he joined the full-time 3 year River Bible Institute, of which he gratuaded in 2016. David came to Amsterdam in 2017 to join the ministry team of the River in the Netherlands. David serves full time in the River Amsterdam, the Bible School, the Street Evangelism Ministry, the Multimedia Outreach and Revival Events.

Michelle Schmidt Graduation

Michelle Schmidt

Michelle is originally from Denmark and studied for some time at the full time River Bible Institute in Tampa, Florida in the USA. Upon returning to Europe she got connected to the River ministries leadership and moved to Amsterdam. Having a strong administrative and organisational background, she serves as an Office Manager and is currently stepping into the role of Bible School Administrator.
Michelle Schmidt Graduation

Kyara Pasterkamp

Kyara is of Dutch nationality and has been a part of the River since 2019. She recently graduated from the River Bible Institute Netherlands. After finishing her internship she joined the team as an Office Assistant.  Being very creative, she is passionate about creating Media content and is also part of the Youth Revival Team.

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