Mike Kestler
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.Matthew 28:19–20
A pastor whose pulpit reaches across the world
Pastor Mike Kestler is the Senior Pastor of The River Christian Fellowship in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he teaches the Bible verse by verse, Genesis to Revelation. Every sermon is centered on Christ, and the Gospel is taught every service.
Beyond the church walls, his ministry has traveled far further. In 1988, Pastor Mike founded KAWZ 89.9 FM in Twin Falls, and in 1995 that station became the launch point for a national satellite network. Today that network, CSN Radio, is heard on more than 400 stations across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and by about 700,000 listeners around the world via the internet.
Every day, Pastor Mike's Bible teaching reaches listeners through It's Time, a 30-minute program edited from Sunday morning, Sunday night, and midweek services at The River. It airs from 5:00 to 5:30 PM Mountain, walking through the Bible verse by verse. On weekdays he takes questions from callers on To Every Man an Answer from 4:00 to 5:00 PM Mountain (3:00 to 4:00 PM Pacific, 6:00 to 7:00 PM Eastern). It is a Bible call-in program he co-hosted with Chuck Smith for many years. Whether he is teaching a passage or answering a caller's hardest question, the aim is the same: to help people know the Word of God and live it.
A lifetime of teaching the Word
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Senior Pastor, The River Christian FellowshipTwin Falls, Idaho · Present
Leads the congregation through the whole Bible, verse by verse, with expository, Christ-centered preaching and the Gospel presented at every service.
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Host, To Every Man an AnswerCSN Radio · Weekdays, 4:00–5:00 PM Mountain
A daily Bible call-in program hosted with guest pastors, taking questions on Scripture, doctrine, prophecy, and everyday Christian life. For many years Pastor Mike co-hosted it with Chuck Smith.
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Teacher, It's TimeDaily · 5:00–5:30 PM Mountain
A 30-minute program edited from Sunday morning, Sunday night, and midweek services at The River. Pastor Mike walks through the Bible verse by verse. Also available as a podcast.
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Co-founder, CSN International (CSN Radio)Christian Satellite Network · April 26, 1995
Began as the Christian Satellite Network, broadcasting from KAWZ in Twin Falls, and grew to dozens of translators within six months and roughly 400 stations and translators by 2004. Rather than follow a denominational dogma, the teaching is based upon the Bible. Pastor Mike continues to serve on its board.
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Founder, KAWZ 89.9 FMApril 3, 1988
The Twin Falls station signed on the air on Easter Sunday, and became the flagship of what would become CSN Radio.
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Church planter, Twin Falls1979
Opened a church in Twin Falls out of the Calvary Chapel movement, the congregation that is today The River Christian Fellowship.
All of Scripture, taught together
"Every word of Scripture is alive and relevant — so we teach all of it, together. If you're looking for a place to dig deep and belong, you've found it."
Pastor Mike Kestler
One of the most embarrassing moments of my life came when I was 18. The doorbell rang, and two finely dressed gentlemen stood on the porch, misquoting Scripture and quoting other books, trying to make the Bible say something it clearly did not say. I knew God, but I did not know the Bible well enough to defend my faith or to answer them. That was when I committed to know God's Word, to defend my faith, and to help others defend theirs.
That conviction shapes everything at The River: expository preaching, daily prayer, home fellowships, and a church that aims for transformation, not just information. The mission is simple. Go, make disciples, teach, and obey Jesus through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, to glorify Jesus Christ.
Verses at the heart of The River
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.1 Corinthians 2:2
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.2 Timothy 3:16
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.James 1:22
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.John 3:16
New King James Version. 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 3:16, and James 1:22 are drawn from the church's mission statement.
