PAUL & HEIDI HUGHES

Senior Leaders EMERITUS

Paul and Heidi Hughes founded The River Fellowship in their living room, and are passionate followers of Jesus who teach the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. They both minister in the prophetic as well as in worship.

Paul earned a PhD in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and Heidi received a BA in Biblical Studies from Providence College, after studying theology for two years in Bibelschule Bienenberg in Liestal, Switzerland. Although they maintain a solid biblical foundation, they don’t rely merely on the academic use of the Bible but instead, pursue a Word/Spirit balance in their teaching. Paul and Heidi carry and release, through impartation, a unique revelation of spiritual unity in marriage.

Heidi is a visual artist and she loves to let the Holy Spirit lead her as she paints. Paul enjoys music, reading, writing and photography, and plays several instruments (and owns way too many synthesizers). They have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Paul and Heidi hold high expectations for every meeting they conduct—whether large or small—that God will come and touch his people with his presence, so that lives will be changed and the Kingdom advanced.

Recent favourite quote: “We do not descend but rise from our histories.” (Anne Michaels)

In the fall of 2025, God spoke to Paul and Heidi, calling them to relocate to Sherwood Park, AB. After almost nineteen years pastoring The River Fellowship, Paul and Heidi finished working with The River in May 2026.