Joshua & Ismary Santana
Pastors Joshua and Ismary Santana first connected with The River at Tampa Bay Church in 2016 after tuning in to a broadcast. At a time of desperation and hunger for God, they began traveling from Fort Myers to The River, with their three daughters, to attend the Main Event and conferences. They now serve on the pastoral staff across RMIMA, El Río and Translation, and the ministry's Automotive Department.
Their story
Pastors Joshua and Ismary Santana first connected with The River at Tampa Bay Church in 2016 after tuning in to a broadcast. At a time of desperation and hunger for God, they began traveling from Fort Myers to The River, driving two hours each way with their three daughters, Liliana, Gabriella, and Emily, to attend the Main Event and conferences. As their commitment to The River and their desire to grow in the things of God increased, they eventually relocated to Tampa to become part of The River Church and attend River Bible Institute. They both began school in 2017 and graduated together in 2020.
Joshua began serving during altar calls and as an usher, while Ismary served in River Kids and the El Río/Translation Department. In 2023, they joined the pastoral staff. This year, they also began serving together in the RMIMA department, serving ministers and ministries alongside Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne. Their daughter Liliana also began attending River University in 2026, with Gabriella and Emily planning to follow in the future.
Where they serve
Serving ministers and ministries alongside Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne.
The Spanish-language congregation and the team that translates the ministry’s resources.
The Auto Shop, The River Car Show, and the River Automotive Institute.
Individually
Pastor Joshua Santana
Before coming to The River, Joshua worked in the automotive industry in Fort Myers, FL. Today, he has the privilege of overseeing the Automotive Department, which includes the Auto Shop, responsible for servicing and maintaining the ministry’s vehicles and buses. He has also had the honor of upgrading and modifying a variety of vehicles, including building Pastor Rodney’s personal race car and leading his pit crew.
Out of this work, along with the vision to use the Automotive Department as a tool to reach people, The River Car Show was birthed. Since its first event in March 2021, The River Car Show has drawn more than 32,000 attendees and over 4,300 exhibitor vehicles, resulting in more than 10,500 souls won to the Kingdom of Heaven.
This year, The River Automotive Institute was launched through River University and the River Auto Shop, providing students with an opportunity to receive training in the automotive field. In addition to his responsibilities in the Automotive Department, Joshua also serves in RMIMA and the El Río Department, serving ministers and ministries and helping advance the vision of the house. He also teaches at the River Bible Institute en Español.
Pastor Ismary Santana
Before coming to The River, Ismary worked as an assistant teacher at a Christian school in Fort Myers. Today, she serves alongside her husband in RMIMA, serving ministers and ministries.
She also oversees the El Río and Translation Department, where she has helped translate many of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne’s books, including Jesus, The Anointing, and Establishing a Soul Goal, as well as the stewardship messages for the RMI Spanish Stewardship Bible. She also teaches at the River Bible Institute en Español, pouring into students what has been poured into her.