Pastor Risan-joper Santos is Brazilian and he grew up in a Christian home. In 1981 he was ordained as a pastor. His background education includes an undergraduate degree in Theology, Philosophy and Psychology. He specialized in Psychology of Family and has a M.A. degree in Theology.

He served as pastor in several churches in Brazil and later, as Family Minister at Igreja Batista da Capunga in Recife. In the same city he worked also as Chaplain at Colégio Americano Batista, as a professor at the Seminário Teológico Batista do Norte do Brasil, and as a clinical psychologist.

In October 2006 he became the pastor of Eastview Baptist Church.

Pastor Santos is married to Carmélia Santos and they have two daughters, Karen e Kelen.