Mark & Martha Cabrera
Dean of Student Affairs and Principal of Academic Affairs at River University, who came to The River in 2006 after their son was miraculously healed of autism, and have helped grow River Bible Institute into a university of many schools.
Their story
Pastors Mark and Martha Cabrera were both born and raised in Christian homes, gave their lives to Jesus Christ at young ages, and have been active in church throughout their lives. Pastor Mark was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Florida, while Pastor Martha was born and raised in Miami, Florida. They married in July 1999 and together, they have four adult children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom faithfully serve the Lord.
In 2004, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, they moved to Tampa, Florida desiring for more of God. They visited The River at Tampa Bay Church in 2006 and became members in 2007 after their son was miraculously healed of autism at the Winter Campmeeting that same year.
They began serving in the Translation Department and River Kids and in 2012, through a series of unmistakable confirmations including a prophetic word from Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, Pastors Mark and Martha obeyed the call to full-time ministry. That very same year they accepted scholarships from Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne to attend River University where they were equipped and prepared for the work of the ministry.
In 2015, Pastor Martha joined the staff of River University as Administrator, followed by Pastor Mark in 2016 as Admissions Director. Later that same year, they were appointed associate pastors. In 2018, they were promoted to the Dean’s Office, with Pastor Mark serving as Dean of Student Affairs and Pastor Martha as Principal of Academic Affairs. They continue to serve faithfully in these roles today.
In addition to their leadership responsibilities, Pastors Mark and Martha instruct at River University, provide premarital counseling, and assist both the Translation Department and the El Río special-interest group.
“Their heart is to see the lost brought into the Kingdom of God, believers equipped and empowered to preach the Gospel, and the vision of the House fulfilled under the leadership of Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne.”
Where they serve
The Dean’s Office — student affairs, academic affairs, and instructing across the university’s schools and programs.
Assisting the team that carries the ministry’s services and resources into other languages.
Serving the church’s Spanish-speaking special-interest group, alongside premarital counseling.
Individually
Pastor Mark Cabrera
Pastor Mark serves as Dean of Student Affairs at River University. Before coming to The River, he worked as a manager at a legal collection company and, prior to that, as a youth counselor at a maximum-security juvenile detention center. He joined the staff of River University as Admissions Director in 2016 and was appointed an associate pastor that same year; in 2018 he was promoted to Dean of Student Affairs.
Alongside his wife, he helped bring forward the proposal to launch River Bible Institute Español and has played a key role in securing the River University name and its recognition as a higher education institution with religious exemption from federal and state oversight, protecting the integrity of its Biblical curriculum. As the institution continued to expand, together they helped develop and implement its growing number of schools, programs, and areas of study including River Culinary Institute, River School of Media, and River Automotive Institute, with a Perfumery School and School of Agriculture currently in development.
Pastor Mark also oversees the university’s major annual events, including the Christmas Party, the River University Banquet, and the end-of-year commencement ceremony. His heart is fixed on the vision of Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne: one hundred million souls saved, one billion dollars invested into world missions, and a great end-time spiritual awakening.
Pastor Martha Cabrera
Pastor Martha serves as Principal of Academic Affairs at River University. Before coming to The River, she worked as an educator in the Hillsborough County public school system and, prior to that, as a marketing coordinator for a software development company. She joined the staff of River University as Administrator in 2015 and was appointed an associate pastor the following year; in 2018 she was promoted to Principal of Academic Affairs.
Alongside her husband, she has helped guide River University’s expansion from its early days as River Bible Institute into a fully recognized university encompassing multiple schools of study. Above all, her desire is to faithfully serve the Lord, advance His Kingdom wherever He leads, and fulfill the vision of Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne and The River at Tampa Bay Church.