KXOJ Presents "My Church Builder" :: The River Community Church

It all started in 1995 in the heart of a young Bible college student. He thought, What if the church could be different and actually be the church instead of pretending? What if God's power, love, authenticity, and truth could all be wrapped into one movement, one message? What if Jesus' followers could band together, become relevant, and actually meet the needs of each generation, without getting stuck in "old time religion?" Certainly a daunting task, considering the fact that many others have lost the delicate balance between these four pillars, eventually detouring into side roads of truth. Before they know it, they are no longer who they originally set out to be. But what if this movement could be different? And what if the world actually received its message and was changed as a result?

In May of 2005, 7 people gathered in Tom Penland's living room to inaugurate the beginning of a dream. This was not supposed to be just a church. It was supposed to be a movement-not a monument. Momentum quickly grew, and this little band of faithful people moved into an office building, did complete renovation work, and in the beginning of September 2006, we had moved into our first official location! We grew to a point where we couldn't fit any more people in that space comfortably, and we began to contemplate a move. Pastor Tom preached a sermon called "God Made You to Move," a message that stirred our congregation to think big! It was time to take a big step.

On October 1st of 2006, we moved into Grove Elementary School. On our first Sunday, we had 151 in attendance! Our main service is in the gym, a space that seats 3-400. Our children's ministries meet in the cafeteria. Every week now, between 90-100 people come to experience the life of God in The River. God has taken us far, and there is much more to the journey. Come join us!

Here are the things that we want to outlive us. These values will all contribute to leaving a legacy that transcends culture, time, and current generational leadership. These values will guide us as a church.

Truth - preaching, teaching, and living the truth as found in the inspired Word of God, regardless of popularity, government reprisal, political correctness, public retribution, or consequence. Our mission is to unveil the cross to each generation.

Power - The Holy Spirit activates truth with signs and wonders, spiritual gifts, office giftings. We are not interested in maintaining manifestation, but rather invading demonstration of His power. All of this done in order.

DIRECTIONS:
We are now holding worship services at Grove Elementary School, located on 61st Street & Hwy. 169, behind Fox Collision Center. (For you MapQuest users, the street address is 10202 E 62nd St.) There will be signs around that location, one of which will be visible from the highway--so you can't miss it. We are meeting in the gymnasium on the east side of the building.

Relevance - presenting God's truth in power in a way that the present culture can understand, not the past. Staying relevant necessitates authenticity. We refuse to be fake, or over inflated. We will be real. We are scared, broken, desperate, frail vessels who serve an incredible, powerful God-and we do not pretend to be anything different.

Excellence - what we do, we do for the glory of God. God gets glory when we approach our mission with effort and concentration. Halfhearted efforts are not allowed! What we do, we will do well-or not at all. Relationships - forging lifelong relationships that naturally occur within the family of God. Experiencing life together.

We are meeting on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am. Nursery and childcare are provided!