September Greetings! This month marks the 8th anniversary of our rebirth as a church family. September 1, 2003 we came together on a Wednesday night for our first worship service. We had sixty-three people in attendance that night, we also filled the tiny stage, joined together in praise and worship, and looked to God’s word for inspiration and direction for the future. “Christ is our Passion and People are our Purpose” set the tone for the ministry. This journey together has brought us through times of great victory, blessing, and life changing experiences. Together we have weathered storms, overcome obstacles, built buildings, faced challenges, helped others, rejoiced, wept, prayed, labored, loved, and through it all, God has been working for our good. Today over 1000 people call The River their church home. But it’s not about how we have grown numerically, it’s about how many lives have been eternally changed in the process. Today I can say with full confidence that God is still up to something; this is a house of grace and mercy; we are a house of diversity in unity; and beyond that, “We’ve only just begun.” There are better days ahead of us and our community than what is behind us. Our heartfelt thanks and warm affection goes out to all of you who have helped to make the dream come true, and all glory belongs to God! I say, as did the Apostle Paul, “is one thing I do, forgetting that which is behind and looking forward to that which lies ahead, I press on toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Looking to the future,
Pastor Smith
