“And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). This scripture speaks to the life of Pastor Elaine Rivera, having received a call to ministry after many years of growing up in Philadelphia. After college, she joined the United States Air Force. Serving her country for 8 years and becoming a highly decorated veteran. After receiving an honorable discharge she pursued a career in Law Enforcement in New Mexico for the next 5 years. Having received and accepted the call to ministry later in life she was licensed and ordained a Minister of the Gospel in March 2011 at True Life Bible Church in Sicklerville NJ. There she served in various servant leader roles that led to her final role within that ministry as the assistant pastor.

Some years later, God ordered her steps to launch Crossroads Empowerment Ministry in Blackwood NJ where she served faithfully as the Senior Pastor. Now under the guidance of The Holy Spirit, as a highly anointed preacher and teacher Elaine serves as the Founder and Senior Pastor of Come As You Are Community Church located in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. By the grace of God, there she brings spiritual guidance to the homeless, the drug addicted, the socially and economically challenged, the displaced, and the marginalized within the community. She holds a seat on the Community Town Watch Group and is presently in prayer regarding the establishment of transitional housing for the homeless.