What We Believe
At The River, you will find a safe place to explore your beliefs and connect with others. We believe that biblical truth is the truth.
Why we do what we do: Our mission and vision
Part oneOur Foundational Beliefs
These are the essential biblical truths that guide our faith, teaching, and life together as a church.
The Word of God
We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. It reveals God's character, His plan of salvation, and His will for our lives. We believe Scripture is trustworthy, true, and the foundation for what we believe and how we live.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105
The Trinity
We believe in one eternal God who exists in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, equal in divine nature, yet distinct in person and work. Together, they reveal the fullness of God's nature and His work of creation, redemption, and restoration.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16–17
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, revealed the Father, and gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through His death on the cross and bodily resurrection, He accomplished the work of redemption. He ascended into heaven, where He intercedes for believers, and will return in power and glory.
John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15–20; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Hebrews 7:25
Salvation through Christ alone
We believe all people have sinned and need salvation. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, lived without sin, died for our sins, and rose bodily from the dead. Through His sacrifice, forgiveness and eternal life are freely offered to all who believe in Him. Salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith, and cannot be earned through human effort or good works.
Scripture: Romans 3:23–24; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 10:9–10
The Church
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, made up of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. God calls believers to worship together, grow in faith, encourage one another, and share the good news of Jesus with the world. Every believer has a place and a purpose in the Church, contributing to its life and mission.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 4:11–16
Sanctification
We believe sanctification is the ongoing work of God's grace by which believers are transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit and the truth of God's Word, we are empowered to turn from sin, grow in holiness, and reflect God's character in our daily lives. This transformation begins with salvation and continues throughout our lives.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:6; John 17:17
The Resurrection and Return of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will personally return in power and glory. His resurrection assures us of His victory over sin and death and provides the promise of resurrection and eternal life to all who belong to Him.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; John 14:1–3
Eternal Life
We believe God offers eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who belong to Him have the promise of everlasting life in His presence. We also believe Scripture teaches a final judgment and eternal separation from God for those who reject His salvation. Our hope rests in God's promise of a new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells and His people will live with Him forever.
Scripture: John 3:16–18; 1 John 5:11–13; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–4
Our Distinctives
These beliefs help define how we experience and express our faith as a Spirit-filled Christian church.
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
We believe the Holy Spirit is actively working in and through believers today. He empowers us to live godly lives, understand Scripture, share our faith, and serve others. We believe in the baptism and ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit and that the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament remain available to the Church. These gifts are given according to His will to strengthen believers, serve others, and glorify Jesus Christ.
Scripture: Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 5:18
Divine Healing
We believe God is our Healer and that divine healing is provided through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We believe He continues to heal today and encourages His people to pray in faith for those who are sick. While we do not presume to understand every circumstance or the timing of God's work, we trust His goodness, compassion, and power in every situation.
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; James 5:14–16; Hebrews 13:8
Water Baptism
We believe water baptism is an important step of obedience for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Practiced by immersion, baptism publicly identifies believers with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is an outward expression of the inward transformation that comes through salvation, not a means of earning salvation.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 8:36–39
Communion
We believe Communion, also called the Lord's Supper, was established by Jesus as a remembrance of His sacrifice. Through the bread and the cup, believers reflect on His body given and His blood shed for our salvation. We observe Communion with gratitude, reverence, and faith, proclaiming His death until He returns.
Scripture: Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Marriage and Family
We believe marriage is a sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman, reflecting His design for lifelong love, faithfulness, and commitment. We believe the family is an important part of God's design for relationships and the nurturing of faith. We are committed to strengthening marriages and families while extending compassion, dignity, and care to people in every season and circumstance of life.
Scripture: Genesis 1:27–28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:31–33
A Non-Denominational Church
The River is a non-denominational Christian church committed to the authority of Scripture, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. We welcome people from a variety of church backgrounds and believe that our unity is found in Jesus Christ rather than in denominational traditions. We seek to remain faithful to God's Word while extending grace and love to those at every stage of their spiritual journey.
Ephesians 4:4–6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; John 17:20–23
Women in Ministry
We believe the Holy Spirit equips and empowers both men and women to serve the Body of Christ. Throughout Scripture, we see God calling and using women in significant roles of ministry, leadership, teaching, and service. We recognize and encourage the gifts and callings God places upon believers as they serve Him and His Church.
Acts 2:17–18; Romans 16:1–7; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that choosing a church often comes with questions. Here are some answers to help you better understand what we believe and what you can expect at The River.
What does it mean to be a Spirit-filled church?
Being Spirit-filled means we believe the Holy Spirit is present and actively working in the lives of believers today. We welcome His presence in worship, prayer, teaching, and ministry, and we believe He empowers us to live for Christ and serve others. Above all, we believe the Holy Spirit works to glorify Jesus, transform lives, and build up His Church.
Do you believe in speaking in tongues and prophecy?
Yes. We believe the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and other gifts of the Spirit, are still active today. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit according to His will and are intended to encourage and strengthen the Church. We believe they should always operate in love, humility, and agreement with Scripture, with everything done in an orderly and appropriate manner.
What do you believe about marriage and sexuality?
We believe God established marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman and that sexual intimacy is intended to be expressed within marriage. At the same time, we believe every person is created in God's image and deserves to be treated with love, dignity, and respect. Our commitment is to uphold biblical truth while demonstrating the grace and compassion of Jesus Christ toward everyone.
Can I attend The River if I'm not a Christian or have questions about faith?
Absolutely! You do not need to be a Christian or have everything figured out to attend The River. We welcome people from all backgrounds and at every stage of their spiritual journey. Whether you're exploring faith, returning to church, or simply looking for answers, we want you to feel welcome. We believe honest questions are an important part of discovering truth and growing in faith.
What do you believe about baptism and Communion?
We practice water baptism by immersion as a public declaration of personal faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism symbolizes the new life we have received through Him and is an important step of obedience, but it is not a requirement for earning salvation.
We also observe Communion as a time for believers to remember and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through the bread and cup, we celebrate His finished work on the cross and the hope we have in His promised return.
How is The River governed and held accountable?
We believe Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and that church leaders are called to serve with humility, integrity, and accountability. The River is guided by pastoral leadership, supported by established structures of oversight and responsible stewardship. We believe leaders are entrusted with caring for God's people, teaching His Word faithfully, and equipping believers to fulfill the mission of the Church.
What you will find at The River
Passionate Worship
We love to express our hearts fully in worship to God. He deserves the highest praise!
Practical Teaching
We believe teaching without application is meaningless. Pastor Jack teaches in a way that is genuine, practical, and helpful for everyday living.
Personal Growth
Discipleship is the cornerstone of Christian life. We offer regular classes that strengthen your walk with God and create meaningful opportunities for fellowship.
Serving Together
Jesus came to serve, and we follow His example. From serve teams to outreach, we join together in unity to meet needs and make a difference.
Excellence in Everything
From the tidiness of the foyer to the quality of our classes, we believe in doing all things as unto the Lord. That's why we strive for excellence in everything we do.