Dan and Jan Taylor, founders of 5 Rivers, have been in ministry most of their married life, which began in 1983. Dan started as a Youth Pastor on Chicago’s northwest side, then God intervened and called him into the inner-city housing projects, first 3 years in Cabrini Green, then 10 years at the Robert Taylor Homes on Chicago’s south side.
In 2009 Jan’s job moved them to Arizona and Dan unexpectedly received a new assignment from the Lord. He was to minister to the nations through short-term prayer journeys focusing on unreached people groups throughout Asia, especially North India. He has led teams up to several times a year since 2011 and is deeply involved in partnering with those on the front lines of ministry in their nation. His prayer journeys have included China, Tibet, Peru, Mexico, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Nepal, in addition to the many, many trips to India.
While home in the US, Dan has been involved in initiatives to see breakthrough and revival in AZ and the nation. In 2025, he authored his first book, Fearless Faith. Jan works alongside Dan with administration gifts to help him fulfill this call, often traveling with him as he takes prayer teams in the states. She takes care of things on the home front when he travels to the nations, and she “sends” and “prays.” Dan and Jan have 3 grown children and two beautiful grandsons.
Kenda Witbeck is a longtime resident in the Phoenix Valley. She has actively and passionately engaged in missions and ministries in the USA and overseas. Kenda has traveled with Dan to Thailand, Cambodia, Egypt and several times to North India, as well as the U.S. She has been a part of the 5 Rivers Board since 2018 and currently serves as Vice President.
Kenda is a retired Captain in the US Commissioned Corp, where she worked as a Registered Nurse for 32 yrs in the Indian Health Service. Since her retirement she has volunteered her nursing skills at The Neighborhood Christian Clinic, an inner-city mission clinic. Her heart has always been to care for the underserved and to share the love of Jesus to the nations. Kenda has been an intercessor for 5 Rivers and BridgeBuilders International for several years. She is also a part of the Administrative Team for Global Daily Prayer Ministries
She enjoys being a Lay Pastor and a Watchmen Intercessor at Shiloh Fellowship in Maricopa Az. Kenda is now carrying on her husband’s legacy after his sudden passing in July, 2025. Their ministry, Prophetic Appointments, is focused on helping start and support prayer groups on several of the reservations presently in AZ, UT and OK. They had just finished building a beautiful cabin in the woods of northern AZ, which she loves and desires to be a house of prayer and retreat to bless her physical and spiritual family and others in ministry. She is blessed with 2 children of her own, 4 bonus kids (Karl’s children), and 6 beautiful grandchildren.
Pat Butler is a long time intercessor for the Nations and currently serves as 5 Rivers’ prayer coordinator and secretary. She has a heart for the Nations to know Jesus as Savior and to see the broken, wounded, & hurting followers of Jesus Christ break out of bondage and step into their destiny.
Pat serves as a Restoring the Foundations Inner Healing minister at her local church. She has travelled to North India, Egypt, & multiple AZ locations with 5 Rivers and to many other nations & locations with other organizations for Missions & Prayer. Pat loves worshipping Jesus and served over 30 years on various worship teams.
Pat has 2 grown children and 2 wonderful grandchildren. Her favorite things include- sitting in God’s presence, her quiet morning time with Jesus, spending time with family, cooking, reading, hiking, and entertaining.
Richard and Linda Salley have lived in Riverside, CA for over 50 years, and have always had a heart for missions – in everyday life as well as on “vacation with a purpose.” While raising their four children, they operated a janitorial franchise where the Lord had them work with people of all ages, primarily the young, giving them PT work and teaching them to incorporate Biblical principles into their jobs and lives.
Following that season, Richard’s job allowed for short term mission trips to fill vacation time. Richard also served as an elder at Trinity Christian Center, while Linda was ministering on the praise and worship team. Linda also served as president of Women’s Aglow in Riverside and served on staff for national conferences.
In 2006, the Lord connected the Salleys with SEAPC (Southeast Asia Prayer Center). This began their first mission trips to Tibet, China with SEAPC with two more trips in 2010 and 2011, and one to India where they met Dan Taylor in 2012.
Richard and Linda have been members of The Rock Church and World Outreach Center for the last 25 years, where they connected with Good Shepherd Ministries. This opened the door for mission trips to Russia, China, and Israel. Their eldest son and family moved to Tanzania, Africa, for 8 years doing medical mission work and Mom and Dad were thrilled to spend two summers with them, working alongside and sharing the good news!
Richard and Linda believe that God has shaped their hearts like the globe, to fulfill the Great Commission in whatever way God directs. One of their favorite Bible verses is John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not die but have everlasting life!
Steve and Irene Sponaugle reside in Colorado Springs. They married in 2016 and together have 6 children and 14 grandchildren. They have been part of 5 Rivers for many years, and have a passion for this ministry and what the Lord is doing in India and beyond!
Steve worked space programs for over 36 years before retiring, and Irene worked for the airlines for 29 years. Jesus is their first love, and together they enjoy traveling, hiking, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Irene also loves to bake and create photo books out of all the family memories!
Tom and Sherri Gussie gave their lives to Jesus in 1988. They have two married children and five grandchildren.
10 years ago God called them into the ministry of Inner healing and Deliverance where they now are the Directors of this ministry at Two Rivers Church in Gilbert. Together they have gone on two overseas mission trips and currently they are on the “mission field” in Phoenix area ministering to those struggling with addiction as well as trauma related issues.
They met Dan Taylor in 2020 on a prayer walk to the Southeast corner of Arizona and have partnered with him and his ministry on numerous prayer walks since.
Missions has always been a big part of their giving and they support missions work all over the world.