Meet Pastor Matthew
The River was birthed out of a desire to create a place where people would feel comfortable to invite their friends. In 2006 we had our first service in our living room. There were 5 families that Sunday. A few months later we moved into a fitness center, then we quickly renovated it into a church building. God continued to provide for our needs and bless the mission during this time.
Then we grew some more and moved to Justice Middle School! We would set up and tear down our services each week. The River just kept growing, and we prayed that God would provide a building that would allow us the space we needed while maintaining roots in the community. After months of praying we found the perfect building. We moved into what was formerly known as Lincoln Elementary School, in the midst of our Marion neighbors.
God wasn't quite through with His surprises, though. In 2025 it was very clear that we had yet again outgrown our space. While we were wrestling with which next steps to take, God started speaking a daring plan to Pastor Chris who was leading Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. Through dedicated prayer, both our congregations agreed that God was leading us to merge together for the greater mission of reaching the 39,000 in Grant County who don't know Christ. We merged in July of 2025 and began renovating the old Lakeview building, which is now our South Campus. God brought us beyond what was expected and we can't wait to see what he does in us at our new South Campus.
Then we grew some more and moved to Justice Middle School! We would set up and tear down our services each week. The River just kept growing, and we prayed that God would provide a building that would allow us the space we needed while maintaining roots in the community. After months of praying we found the perfect building. We moved into what was formerly known as Lincoln Elementary School, in the midst of our Marion neighbors.
God wasn't quite through with His surprises, though. In 2025 it was very clear that we had yet again outgrown our space. While we were wrestling with which next steps to take, God started speaking a daring plan to Pastor Chris who was leading Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. Through dedicated prayer, both our congregations agreed that God was leading us to merge together for the greater mission of reaching the 39,000 in Grant County who don't know Christ. We merged in July of 2025 and began renovating the old Lakeview building, which is now our South Campus. God brought us beyond what was expected and we can't wait to see what he does in us at our new South Campus.