|
Where We Came From
We began in 2001 as a “church plant” from Light & Life Christian Fellowship in North Long Beach. We are part of Mission 2010, an effort to plant 10 new churches in greater Long Beach by the year 2010. Our facility is leased from the Lutheran’s, but we are not a part of the Lutheran denomination. We are part of the Light and Life Christian Fellowship (FMCNA) church family.
Why “River” Church?
"The River" speaks of cleansing, life, power and movement – all of which characterize those who have embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Who Are We?
The River Church is a multiracial, cross generational family who love God and
one another. We take God seriously and so we gather to worship Jesus Christ
and to grow in our knowledge of His will for our lives. We are a family that
enjoys laughing and playing and having a good time, as well.
Our Mission:
(Who we desire to reach and impact):
The River Church exists to reach the un-churched, the under-churched and those hurt by religion with God’s love and to help them become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
(What we are deeply committed to):
Learning…
Knowing God’s Word is essential to growing to spiritual maturity. In our gatherings we learn the Bible book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse answering the practical questions: What does it SAY, what does it MEAN, and how does it APPLY to my life today. Home groups studies are more topical.
Connecting…
God is all about
relationship, so are we. There are many opportunities to “know and to be
known” at TRC. Smaller connection groups and events help people come out of
the crowd and get connected.
Serving… There are many teams that run the church and care for the River Family. We like to identify a persons gifting and then help them find an appropriate place of service (when they are ready).
Reaching…
Jesus came to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). In every
gathering we give people the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior. We also
create events throughout the year that are designed for “pre-Christians” to
hear the good news about God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ.
We believe that there is one true God, eternally existing in three persons:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each equal in power and glory. This “triune”
God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
We believe the Old/New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (from God
through man), without error (in the original manuscripts), and are our
irrefutable rule of all faith and practice.
We believe in God the Father, an eternal, personal Spirit; perfect holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He lovingly concerns Himself in the affairs of men. He hears and answers prayer and saves from sin and spiritual death all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe God’s eternal Son is Jesus Christ and that He was conceived by the
Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and His
teaching. That salvation is only available through His substitutionary (in my
place) death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection; ascension
into heaven; and in His future, personal, visible return to earth.
We believe the Holy Spirit came from the Father and Son to convict the world
of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to restore, make holy, and empower
for God’s purposes all who truly believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that all
spiritual gifts named in the New Testament are still for today and are
administered by the Holy Spirit as He wills and are to be practiced in an
orderly manner and according to scriptural guidelines.
We believe all people are sinners (come short of achieving God’s perfect
standard) by nature and by choice and, therefore, are under condemnation but
that God spiritually restores, by the Holy Spirit, any who will turn from
their sin, believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and
acknowledge Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin and sovereign Lord
of their life.
We believe that Jesus Christ fills “thirsting” believers with the Holy Spirit
on an ongoing basis to empower them for service, subsequent to spiritual
rebirth.
We believe in the universal church (called out ones), the living, spiritual
body, of which Christ is the head, and that all regenerated (spiritually
re-born) persons are members. It is through the church that God administers
His saving grace and purpose in the world.
We believe that Jesus committed two practices to the church: Water baptism
and the Lord’s Supper. We believe in water baptism by immersion and an open
Communion table for all believers.
We believe in the physical, visible return of Christ to the earth and the
establishing of His kingdom; the physical resurrection of the body; the final
judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous (this will be heaven); and the
endless suffering of the wicked (this will be hell).
Copyright
© 2005 The River
:: A Light & Life Christian Fellowship :: All Rights Reserved
Created by
Exodus Design
Studios
|
