Born and raised in North Macedonia, Alpin PopNikolov moved to Blacksburg with his family in 2021. He and his wife Beth, have two boys, Elian and Forest. Looking for a church rooted in the Great Tradition, they made The River their home.

Alpin did not grow up as a Christian. In the late '90s, after falling into a very destructive lifestyle, he had a powerful conversion experience and fell in love with Jesus. Soon after, he began serving in his local church, traveling around the country, and planting small house churches.