Eddie Rigdon Bio
Eddie grew up in Fullerton, California. It was in 2004 that he and his wife, Joan, made their first trip to Tanzania, Africa, working with churches and mission agencies. At that time, the Lord opened their eyes and hearts to the various needs they could focus on, using their vocational work knowledge and experiences.
Eddie had been blessed to serve the people of Southern California, managing the water supply for Southern California's 20 million people as Chief of Operations with a workforce possessing excellent skill sets and knowledge, from construction workers to world-acclaimed scientists, engineers, and attorneys. On water-related issues, he worked extensively with Federal, state, and agricultural agencies and municipalities throughout the state of California as well as Arizona and Nevada. At the Community College and graduate levels, Eddie taught water science, math, and project management. He holds a master's degree from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Church has always been part of Eddie's life in one way or another. He attributes his love for God's Word to his Sunday School teacher from a toddler through the 5th grade as well as the blessing of surrounding himself with great teachers of the Word, including study of God's Word under the teaching of John MacArthur at Grace Community Church since the early 70s.
Eddie and Joan have been team members on mission trips worldwide for the past 18 years, predominantly in African countries, especially Tanzania. Eddie serves on the board of Global Teaching Network with one of the founders, a dear friend. They ministered in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Cameroon, holding ministerial conferences and teaching at seminaries. Eddie has led men's groups at the Church of the Woods in Lake Arrowhead, California, for several years. This was their home church for 11 years, and the church is still very supportive of the ministry of Water Is Life. Eddie has sat on several church boards, served as a lay pastor/teacher, and is currently ordained as an Elder/Pastor in their home church, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pasadena.
Eddie serves on the Board of Directors for the International Theological Seminary (ITS) in West Covina, CA, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. They estimate that out of the 195 countries in the world, ITS alums minister in 40% of the nations. Eddie and Joan have supported the school for the past 20 years, and Water Is Life works extensively with the students in their home countries. Eddie presently serves as Chairman of the ITS board.
Joan and Eddie are financial supporters of Water Is Life.