RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 

OUR PASTOR

​​

Dr. Pastor Cindy, the wife of Pastor Chris Christovale, co-founded River of Life Christian Fellowship in Oakland, California. Their passion is to reach their community and the world with the demonstrated power of God's love. They have been in ministry for 43 years and pastoring for 29 years.

​

At the age of 17, Dr. Cindy owned and operated a charm and finishing school in New Jersey. She was crowned Miss Elite in 1966, Miss Debutante in 1967, and Miss Cavalier in 1968. Cindy attended the New York Model and Charm School in 1970, modeled in various fashion shows, and worked for top modeling agencies. She taught personal development, charm, and finishing school courses in public schools and the YWCA. In 1972, she appeared as a professional model in Ebony and Essence magazines. Cindy danced on “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand,” and was the first African-American model to hand awards to performers at the very first American Music Awards in 1974. She hosted for Pepsi Cola, Motown, Big Brothers, and was an extra in the movie "Disco 9000." Cindy’s photo from the ’70s has appeared in the movie "Barber Shop II" and on the front cover of American Legacy magazine.

​

Dr. Cindy began teaching Adult Vocational Education Designed Subjects in 1976. For the past 48 years, she has coordinated state and federal programs, helping homeless individuals, laid-off workers, low-income and disadvantaged people, challenged youth, adults, and single parents to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. She trained and assisted over 50,000 recipients to become employable in the job market. In 1984, Dr. Cindy began working for Eden Area Regional Occupational Program, a local vocational school, where she served as an instructor and was later promoted to Administrator/Vice Principal. Although she retired from her position as administrator, she continues to work as a Direct Support Professional Trainer/Proctor, teaching direct support professionals how to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, promoting their health, safety, and well-being for a better quality of life.

​

In 1984, Pastor Cindy was ordained and licensed under The Association of Faith Churches and Ministers (AFCM). She served as an Assistant Regional Director for AFCM from 1996 to 2010, covering California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. In 2006, she received a Certificate of Ordination from the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of International Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM) and Dr. Frederick K. C. Price.

Dr. Cindy received her Doctor of Ministry from Friends International Christian University, Merced, California, in 2001. She ministers and speaks to various corporations, churches, and women’s groups throughout the United States and internationally. She has authored two books: "Your Real Beauty (Become the Woman that God Meant You to Be)" and "The Beauty Became the Beast (Beware of Satan the Deceiver of Our Brethren)." She is also the founder of Your Real Beauty Women's Ministry, which strengthens, builds, and provides spiritual and practical knowledge for everyday living.

​

In 2003, Cindy, as President and CEO, founded Life Development Corporation, providing services that enrich the lives of those in Oakland, California, and the Greater Bay Area. These services include economic and housing development, education, health, and outreach, empowering the homeless, unemployed, economically disadvantaged, and challenged individuals and families to become self-sufficient.

In 1973, Cindy met Chris, and they were married in 1974. They now have two beautiful children, Chris Jr. and Felicia, along with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.