River of Life Holiness Missions is a ministry founded by Rev. Don Rich in Panama. The mission currently oversees 23 active churches led by native pastors. Two supervisors provide oversight and are available to the pastors for guidance, support, and encouragement.

From its earliest days, the mission’s primary burden was the construction of church buildings in remote villages with little to no Gospel witness. Many of these churches were established among the native Embera and Chocó people, and six of the churches are accessible only by canoe travel down the river.

Due to Rev. Don Rich’s age of 90 and his limited mobility, the leadership of the mission has been passed on to his son, Leon Rich of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and his grandson, Derek Rich, along with his family. Derek and his wife, Joanna, attended language school from 2017 to 2018. Learning the language greatly strengthened the connection between the leadership in the United States and the precious people who call Río de Vida (River of Life) their church home.