Mission
Riverside is a church that unapologetically proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ, biblically worships, frequently fellowships and courageously makes disciples both locally and globally!
Ministry Focus
As Elders/Deacons our Riverside Ministry focus is to encourage and equip the members and adherents of this church to be on this mission together through the various ministries to which God would lead.
Spirit Led
We believe it is God’s desire for His church to be united in Him and in one another. It is through His Spirit we be able to do this “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23). We need to be filled & led by Him, that is controlled by His Spirit “but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18b) to be effective in sharing the love of God with each other and the world. It is our desire to see Jesus Christ’s prayer answered in and through us! “…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21).
Prayer Fuelled
As the church at Riverside we recognize that we are completely dependent on God and the work of His Holy Spirit.
We want to pray like Daniel crying out to the Lord for His church, praising Him and confessing our individual as well as corporate sin. “Oh Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled…” (Daniel 9:4b-5a).
We want to pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests for the mission, ministries of the church as well for those in it. “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). We want to stand against the devil’s schemes by praying in this way (Ephesians 6:11). With that in mind, we will make prayer a priority in all our gatherings and specifically our monthly pray first meeting.
Unapologetic Preaching
Riverside will facilitate the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elders and teachers will read scripture clearly and boldly making the meaning plain and applicable (Nehemiah 8:4,6,8) (2 Timothy 3:10-16) (2 Timothy 4:2). We are reminded of Paul’s commitment to preaching “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) both in public as well as in homes (Acts 20:20). Riverside will preach the gospel both to the church and the community.
Biblical Worship
We believe the Church is called to reverently worship God in the ways He prescribes (Lev 10:3). Through countless scriptures we are called to “praise” God by the means of singing and instruments! (Heb 13:15), (Ps 150:3-5), (Ps 149:1), (Col 3:16) & (Eph 5:18-19). We believe our giving causes thanksgiving towards God and as such we will do it cheerfully! (2 Cor 9:6-15).
Frequent Fellowship
We believe the Church is called to fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). We will celebrate communion together, hear God’s word together, share meals together, pray together, share resources together and to praise God together! We will do these often (Heb 10:24-25).
Courageous Discipleship
We are determined to focus our energies and resources on expanding the Kingdom of God by making and baptizing disciples of Jesus Christ both in our community and into the far reaches of the globe (Matt 28:19). We will send missionaries and support initiatives which share the same gospel and mission of Jesus’ commission to His disciples (Acts 1:8).