Learn About Us
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE’RE ABOUT
Who We Are
Our Vision
To be a multicultural church, committed to transforming lives and impacting the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Leading people from where they are to where God wants them to be.
Our Focus
Ever since the early church began, Christians have tended to gather. Acts 2:42-47 is a descriptive snapshot of all the things they did when they gathered. We believe things happen when we are together that don’t happen when we are alone:
- To celebrate that Jesus is alive
- To remember and practice the Gospel
- To love people different from us
- As large groups on Sunday and in smaller groups during the week.
We desire everyone to grow in faith, understanding, and love. The life of a Christian is a constant life of growth. Though we will never arrive or achieve, we are always striving to be more like Christ. We aren’t growing to earn God’s love; we are growing because of God’s love. God’s sacrifice for us should spark a life of sacrifice towards Him and others.
FAITH
- To grow in our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior.
- To develop an authentic a life of faith, demonstrated by our actions of love towards others.
UNDERSTANDING
- To grow in understanding of the Bible and the importance it plays in my life.
- To grow in daily spiritual practices.
LOVE
- To grow in our understanding of God’s love towards us.
- To grow in our love towards God and constantly strive to love others unconditionally.
- To grow in our ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus, seeing and meeting the needs of the people around us.
The purpose for gathering and growing is simple: to equip and empower us to take the hope of the Gospel into our world. Talk is cheap and the world has heard it all. It’s time we display the love of Christ for the world to see. Outreach is often viewed as something that is only done by missionaries in distant countries. But you are called to reach your world by finding your passion and using your abilities to reach people in your work place, neighborhood and community. Our purpose is to be ready on and in every occasion, to be Jesus to our world.
Our Values
Our heart is after God’s PRESENCE
We value the Presence of God. God can do more in a person’s life when they encounter His Presence than we can do through all of our strategic planning. We will prepare; we will pray; we will worship with all of our heart. We will do everything we can to enhance the opportunity for each person to encounter the Presence of God in every gathering we have. We will not be happy if we just go through the motions of being in church. (James 4:8,10; John 4:23, Acts 3:19; Hebrews 10:19-22)
Our heart is for
UNITY
Unity is our secret sauce. We want unity on our staff and we want unity in our church, and we want unity with other churches who are preaching the Gospel. Unity is critical. We don’t gossip; we speak life; we don’t tear down; we build up. (Acts 4:32; Psalm 133; Ephesians 4:3)
Our heart is to
INSPIRE
We want to inspire and encourage people. The world has hurt and pain, but we are glass half-full people, and the glass comes with free refills! Pain in this life will happen, but we will answer that pain with hope. We truly believe that in Jesus Christ, the best is yet to come! (Psalm 23:5; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 5:1-5)
Our heart is to be
AUTHENTIC
We are real people doing real life together. Authenticity is hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. None of us is perfect. We are honest about our failures. Yet, we are committed to learning from our failures and moving forward from them. We share our failures so that we can all move forward, to show that there is a way out. We are going to tell the truth. (1 John 1:6-10; Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16)
Our heart is to
ENGAGE
We believe that God called us to go beyond just serving inside the walls of our church. We are committed to work with local and global compassion and justice partners in our cities by partnering with ministries, agencies, and organizations that are making a difference in battling poverty and injustice. “You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain glowing in the night for all to see.” Matthew 5:14 “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7
Our heart is to be
GENEROUS
As we start to follow Christ we see that life is not about “us". We have been given life to exalt Jesus and to be a blessing to those around us. By being a generous church with our time, talent, and treasures we show the world that we value Him more than the things of this world. The Scripture teaches us to give a percentage of our income as an act of worship. This act reminds us that all we have is a gift from God and we are called to steward what He has given us. As a church we contribute 10% of every weekend’s offering and set it aside for both local and world missions. “All the believers were of one heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as they had need.” Acts 2:44; 4:32
Our Beliefs
We believe that God Loves You. There is nothing more important we could list first.
Simple Statement of Faith
In essential beliefs – we have UNITY
“There is one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of us all…” (Eph 4:4-6)
In non-essential beliefs – we have LIBERTY
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God” (Rom 14:1, 4, 12, 22)
In all our beliefs – we show CHARITY
“If I hold my mind not only human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have faith that can move mountains – but have not love, I amount to nothing at all” (1 Cor 13:2)
The Essentials We Believe
We have essential beliefs that we consider to be the foundation of River City Church. We are committed to these things and they are why we exist. They are listed here so you know where we stand. We invite you to come and investigate regardless of where you stand or where you are on your journey!
About God
There is one God who is Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God (Gen 1:1, 26, 27;3:22, Ps 90:2; Mt 28:19; 1 Pt 1:2; 2 Cor 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. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death (Mt 1:22, 23; Isa 9:6; Jn 1:1-5, 14:10-13; Heb 4:14,15; 1 Cor 15:3, 4; Rom 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 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 provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily and to be filled with His presence, power, and spiritual gifts. (1 Cor 2:12, 3:16; Jn 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Eph 1:13, 5:18; Gal 5:25).
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living (2 Tim 1:13, 3:16; 2 Pt 1-20, 21; Ps 119:89, 105, 160; Prv 30:5).
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People 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 (Gen 1:27; Ps 8:3-6; Isa 53:6, 59:1-2; Rom 3:23).
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. We don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it, it is a FREE GIFT. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith alone. (Rom 5:1, 6:23; Eph 2:8, 9; Jn 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5, Gal 3:26).
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 (Jn 3:16; Rom 8:17-18; Rev 20:15; 1 Cor 2:7-9).
3450 Swenson Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174
Email: info@therivercitychurch.org
Phone: (630) 256-8434
St. Charles | Geneva | Batavia | North Aurora | Fox Valley
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