RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 

OUR PASTOR

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Dr. Cindy is the wife of Pastor Chris Christovale, they are the founders of River of Life Christian Fellowship in Oakland, California, and their passion is to reach their community and world with the demonstrated power of God's love. They have been in ministry for 40 years and Pastoring for 26 years.

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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, going on to be named 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 YWCA. In 1972, she appeared as a professional model in Ebony and Essence Magazine. Cindy danced on “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand,” and was the first African-American model who handed the awards to performers on the very first American Music Award in 1974. She hosted for Pepsi Cola, Motown, Big Brothers, and was an extra in the movie titled Disco 9000. Cindy’s photo from the ’70s has appeared in the movie Barber Shop II and the front cover of American Legacy Magazine.

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Dr. Cindy started teaching Adult Vocational Education Designed Subjects in 1976. For the past 35 years, Cindy has coordinated state and federal programs, helping homeless, laid-off workers, low-income disadvantaged, challenged youth, adults, and single parents to overcome common barriers of 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 worked as an Instructor and promoted to an Administrator. Cindy retired from her position as Administrator but decided to stay on as a Direct Support Professional Trainer/Proctor where she teaches Direct Support Professionals how to assists individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. To promote the health, safety, and well-being of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, which will lead to 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 with Friends International Christian University, Merced, California, in 2001. Dr. Cindy ministers and speaks to various corporations, churches, and women’s groups throughout the United States and Internationally. She authored two books titled, 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. The ministry strengthens, builds, and provides spiritual and practical knowledge for everyday living. 

In 2003, Cindy the President and CEO founded Life Development Corporation where she provides 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, which empower the homeless, unemployed, economically disadvantaged, and challenged individuals and families to become self-sufficient.

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