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DISCOVER RIVERWOODS CHURCH
How Riverwoods Church is Changing Lives
Through genuine community, powerful worship, and real-life bible teaching, Riverwoods Church helps people discover hope, healing, and purpose—transforming lives by deepening faith and strengthening relationships with Jesus.
Purpose Statement
To reach and make passionate followers of Jesus who live intentional lives of Hope, Service, and Generosity.
Vision Statement
To become a model in reaching, making, and mentoring passionate followers of Jesus into a global mission force.
Core Values
We believe a relationship God and others can change lives.
We believe God created every person with a unique purpose and tremendous potential.
We believe dreams come from God and we encourage people to pursue them relentlessly.
We believe prayer is essential for us to know God’s will and power.
We believe in missions’ participation; locally, nationally and globally.
Power of Relationships: We were never meant to walk alone! We were made to connect with God and with one another. At Riverwoods Church, we think that life-giving connections can uplift, support, and deepen our faith. After all, one person sharpens another, just as iron sharpens iron!
Potential in People: Each individual is blessed with divine potential and made in God’s image. For His grace, no one is too lost, too broken, or too far gone. We look ahead to the future that God has in store for us. With our Christian fellowship, we empower people to courageously walk in their faith and celebrate their brilliance.
Possibility of Dreams: Nothing is impossible when God is there to protect you! Having faith, following His path, and believing in His flawless plan is essential. Because everything is possible when it comes to God! At Riverwoods, we foster a faith that accepts God’s promises and looks beyond boundaries.
Priority of Prayer: Our first response should be prayer, not a last option. It serves as a link between the miraculous and the impossible. A decent person’s prayer is strong and effective, therefore, we look to God for direction, rest in His presence, and have faith in His responses.
Participation in Missions: We are urged to reach the world and transcend our boundaries. At Riverwoods, we share the love and message of Jesus wherever we go by living out our faith via service.
- We believe a relationship God and others can change lives.
- We believe God created every person with a unique purpose and tremendous potential.
- We believe dreams come from God and we encourage people to pursue them relentlessly.
- We believe prayer is essential for us to know God’s will and power.
- We believe in missions’ participation; locally, nationally and globally.
Doctrinal Statements
What Riverwoods Believes
Our faith is built on biblical truth, unity, and love. We believe in holding strong to the essentials, embracing grace in differences, and displaying love in all we do.
At Riverwoods Church, we establish the foundational truths of Christianity and the standing together as one body in Christ.
“There is one Body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
These core beliefs keep us dedicated and united in our devotion to God’s truth. Not all matters of faith require absolute agreement. Where Scripture allows room for interpretation, we choose grace over division.
“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters… Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:1,4,12)
No matter how deep our knowledge or how strong our faith is, without love, we miss God’s heart.
“…If I have faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
The Essentials We Believe In
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. After three days, he arose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to Earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He gives Christians the power to live, understand spiritual truth, and be guided in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspired it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in God’s spiritual image to be like Him in character. They are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins through self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled lives and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:17
About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that eternal salvation. You cannot “lose” it if you have been genuinely saved. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9
Philosophy of Ministry
Relevant practical worship and teaching designed to inspire Real Hope for Real People in the Real World.
Integrity by paid staff, volunteer leaders, and the church is to be maintained in all areas, especially in matters of character, morality, finances, and approach to the scriptures.
Vision driven ministry. We are committed to fulfilling God’s vision for Riverwoods but are never satisfied with maintaining the status quo.
Excellence in every ministry. We will not start any ministry until the people and resources are in place to perform it excellently. People deserve our best, and God expects it.
Relationships are unique gifts from God. Riverwoods believes relationships are tools God uses to develop us into passionate followers of Christ. We encourage people to build relationships with seekers and followers of Christ.
Worship is primary. We aim to create an atmosphere that encourages authentic worship of a Holy God.
Outreach will be symmetrical, innovative, and creative, using every means possible to touch and connect with people.
Organize intentionally to promote the growth of people, the church, and the kingdom of God.
Determined we will touch the world through a steadfast commitment to missions locally, nationally, and globally.
Small Groups are essential. They are the best place for relationships, ministry (care), maturity (discipleship), and multiplication (growth) to occur.
