River of Life Family Church

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. -Mark 6:51-52 Sometimes we miss out on the miracle because we are seeking the spectacular. Pastor Randy

We had such a great time celebrating 4th of July with you all River Fam! We are grateful for the heroes who fought and still fight for the freedom we experience in America! . And today we also celebrate the freedom and love we have in Christ! Put a in the comments below if you are feeling grateful!

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Our favorite day of the week is just around the corner! We’ve been praying and preparing for what God has in store for this Sunday! Come expecting Oh yeah, River Kids Church is back! Come through and check your kids in at 10am. And stay after the service for some refreshments and let’s hangout together. We love being with you

There’s power in prayer, and that’s why we gather regularly to pray for you. We appreciate you River Fam! DM us or leave a comment below how we can pray for you You’re also invited to join our Thursday night prayer group. DM for more info! Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm

Want to know what we are all excited about? River Kids Church is back in the building this Sunday 10AM! Can’t wait to see you all. It’s going to be so much fun! Our front door will be wide open for us to meet you right there! . See you at The River!

How can we pray for you? Feel free to comment below with your prayer request. We are meeting tonight for weekly Thursday night prayer group. (If you would like to join our prayer group, DM us for the zoom link). ... Thursdays 6:45PM-7:30PM zoom online

How do you keep moving forward? Begin with the end in mind. When you know your ultimate, it’s easier to not get tempted with the immediate.

All things are possible when you practice what you profess. Click now to watch This Better Be Good! https://youtu.be/MUEPVsKG2BI

Are your thoughts leading you to the life you want? You cannot live right if you do not think right. When we neglect to lead our thoughts, we make them vulnerable to attacks. "...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5

How can you move forward when you’re in a valley? Click now to watch Come and Get It! https://youtu.be/3_ISpi6E--M

Day 6: It is so important to be able to clearly hear the voice of God when facing important decisions. Jesus regularly disconnected from the world to hear the voice of God. This awakening season is all about disconnecting from the world so that we can hear the voice of God. https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pr/day/6

Day 10: Whatever you are passionate about, you will also be emotional about. Awakening is about igniting a deeper passion for God in your heart. Put on a worship song! Lift your hands, open your hands, open your mouth, tap your feet. Ask God to ignite passion in you, to help you feel Him and express your feelings. https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-p/day/10

Day 5: As you fast, let your hunger help you focus on God. Every time you experience a pang of hunger, ask God to increase your hunger for Him in the same way that you hunger for food. Click the link for today’s devotion: https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pra/day/5

Turn on the volume and invite a move of God wherever you are as the sound of worship lifts up from the River to the throne of God!

"Everything begins with a thought. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." - John Maxwell Small thinking limits your achievements. Possibility thinking unleashes opportunities. Change your thinking, change your life.

Day 4: Fasting hits the reset button of our soul. To receive the new things God wants to bring into our lives, we have to periodically hit the reset button. Click the link for today’s devotion: https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pra/day/4

What action will you take today to get a step closer to your destiny? . All things are possible when you practice what you profess. - Randy Capistrano

What kept David moving forward when he was in the middle? Check out the answer from yesterday’s message: https://youtu.be/3_ISpi6E--M

The River is a church for you! It’s where you are going to be loved, and it’s where you get to give love by serving others and blessing your community. Our church is growing and our outreach and influence is expanding. We are looking to grow our volunteer team this year! If you’re interested in being a part of the River volunteer team, send us a direct message or you can email [email protected]... Our next volunteer opportunity is our drive through food pantry happening this Wednesday at 1:00-3:00pm! Love for you to be a part of it!

Something special just for you this morning at The River! Church online happening in less than 10 min

Day 9: When we experience staleness in our relationship with God for whatever reason, surrendering again is the first step to rekindling the fire within! We need to start each day with complete surrender. Surrender is more of an ongoing process rather than just a one-time decision. Full surrender to God means no more going back and forth with one foot in the world and the other foot in God’s kingdom. Following Jesus is all or nothing https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pr/day/9

Day 3: Why do we fast? You can do it for the right reasons or the wrong reasons. Fasting is not something we do to obtain favor or forgiveness. After you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your past, present and future sins have already been forgiven! Click the link for today’s devotion: https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pra/day/3

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How can you have the best year ever? Click now to watch The Power of Possibility! https://youtu.be/XwjMCor7JR0

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. - Eleanor Roosevelt Today, choose to create a masterpiece because you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Day 8: You can add God to your life, but it can still be your life. You can still be in the driver’s seat. https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pr/day/8

Empty space is a place. -Pastor Randy Click now to watch It’s in the Cloud! https://youtu.be/7zAqqEQ7SsM

Day 2: What will you be fasting over the next 20 days? Your fast doesn’t necessarily have to be food. You could fast from social media or anything that would help you be more intentional in your focus on God and His Word. Click the link for today’s devotion: https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pra/day/2

How was your Day One of your 21-day fast? Check out this thought provoking question from today’s devotion. Does it strike you, as it has me, that there is something terribly wrong with a passionless, passive, mundane, monotonous relationship with God?... What do you think would happen if you fought to keep a passionate, intimate and exciting relationship with Jesus? Would love to hear your thoughts or key takeaway in the comments below! #21dayfast #awakening

The outcome is God’s responsibility, obedience is our responsibility Focus on what you can control - your attitude, efforts and actions, and trust God for what you cannot control. #HappyMonday

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Our River Dream Team came out today and blessed our community with tablets! Now all these kids can join River Kids online and our upcoming Kids Club outreach to the Linda Vista Elementary School! Thank you for helping the River make a difference in our world. There were so many kids with smiling faces! Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

Day 1: River Fam! Are you ready to experience an awakening? What is your biggest obstacle to experiencing the zeal and passion described in Romans 12:11-12? Ask God to ignite or reignite a passion in your relationship with Jesus. Click the link for today’s devotion: https://www.bible.com//3405-awakening-21-days-of-pra/day/1

One thing we all learned in 2020 is that we will not always get what we expected. That doesn’t mean we can’t set new goals and expectations for 2021. We hope you are dreaming big and pursuing greater things for this year, because together we can believe that God is able to do much more than we could ever imagine! Here’s three reasons why we can look forward to 2021: 1) Our mistakes have become our LESSONS.... whatever mistakes or failures that happened in 2020 will be lessons on how to do it better in 2021. At the River, we call this failing forward 2) You have a CHURCH FAMILY who believes in you and supports you. we are connected and in community. We will prosper and succeed together! 3) God is ABLE. we serve an unstoppable God, who only knows how to win! Let’s dream together, grow strong together, and succeed together! Time to get prayed and powered up for a great 2021! #2021multiply #TheRiverFam

Join Us LIVE For Final Installment Of Relationship Matters

Happy New Year River Fam! It’s 2021...and we all want to start it right. No matter what comes your way this year, Christ lives in you. You will overcome! On January 3, our Awakening 21-day fast and prayer begins! You will be receiving our daily devotionals through email and Facebook to accompany your 21-day spiritual journey. Start praying for God to lead you to what exactly you feel led to give up for 21 days as you seek God in prayer and His Word. ... Sign up to receive our daily email at [email protected] or you can tune in here everyday for the daily devotional post. #2021Multiply #21dayfast #awakening

Relationship Matters finale is just around the corner! Broadcasting 10AM pst right here on Facebook and YouTube! We have been praying and preparing for what God has in store for you

Who’s ready for the finale of Relationship Matters?! It’s happening this Sunday broadcast at 10AM pst! Tag three of your favorite friends/family below, who you want to get blessed with you!

Our #1 favorite memory of the year. Prayer on the hill! More than ever our world, our country, our city, our families needed prayer. We are so thankful to the group that gathers every Thursday to pray. In addition, The River never stopped meeting once a month on top of the hill to pray for you, our church family that meets in San Jose as well as our online River Family! We are so glad we could be here with you every step of the way in 2020. We love you all so much, an...d thankful that God has connected us with you as a family of faith. We are ready to cross over to the other side into 2021! Hands up if you believe God has greater things in store! Happy New Year River Family!

Do you need some clarity on what to do next? We may not always control what happen to us but we can always control what happen in us. Click Below to watch Control Your Flow and get clarity on your next steps.... https://youtu.be/zj3mwhTUlHQ

At #2...we were sad about many of the tragedies and difficult moments that marks 2020 as one of the years that will ever stand out in our lives. But we do thank God that we were able to encourage each other with sermons that were relevant and even specific to every high and low of 2020. We hope you have been blessed by the teaching ministry and the growing preaching team of The River! What was your favorite sermon of the year? ... #bethemove2020 #exploretheriver

At #3...one of our favorite memories in 2020 is how the Holy Spirit continued to move through our worship team every week. We believe in letting the sound of our praise be louder than the noise of our fear! The weapon may have formed against us but it did not prosper, because the God we serve knows only how to triumph! We will never forget how God encouraged us as we never stopped praising Him What was your favorite song in 2020?

So glad you were able to join Pastor Randy for our lunch talk on the topic Control Your Flow! If it was a blessing to you, and you want to share it with someone you know that could use this encouragement, feel free to tag someone in the comments below. You’re also invited to join our online Midweek small groups tonight for a deep dive on this topic. Email us at [email protected] for info on how to join. Or you can DM us right here. ... Have a great day everyone!

What are your expectations? Your expectations dictate your reality. It’s your attitude that defines your reality, not your circumstance. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. - Proverbs 4:23 NLT

You can rise and whine or rise and shine. - Jon Gordon ... This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. Unprecedented is one of the words that people commonly use to describe this year. We knew that God had to do something extra special to encourage and show love to our city. This family lost the anchor in their family. This woman and her kids lost a loving husband and father; they were so dejected when we met them. We prayed for mother and kids and blessed them with gifts during Christmas week to remind them they have a church here in San Jose that is for them. Huge thanks to our partners, volunteers, and supporters for helping us with this year’s Christmas Toy Giveaway. You make The River better!

Your attitude determines the altitude of your situation. Click now to listen to Control Your Flow! https://youtu.be/zj3mwhTUlHQ... #relationshipmatters

One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. Spending time in fellowship at church camps, gatherings, and other events have always been a part of what makes The River feel like family. We pivoted to bring the experience straight to your home this year. Who remembers Fireside Worship?! It’s something that happens every first Wednesday of the month now. See you at our next Fireside Worship! ... We are happy that no matter what...together we will find a way to stay connected in community. We are so thankful to have you as part of our River family! #bethemove2020 #firesideworship

Do you have a victor or victim mentality? Check out this clip for Sunday’s message, Control Your Flow. You may not always have control over your circumstance but you always have control over your attitude, actions and efforts.

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One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. Small things done consistently over time leads to huge results. Our homeless outreach team courageously braved the pandemic by never ceasing to bring warm clothing, supplies, and food to the less fortunate at St James Park. Over time, we have built closer relationships and they have learned to trust our team. They can see that we really are for them. A few of them we now have friendship with and always have great conversations every time we are there. Thank you for supporting by volunteering, praying for our safety, and for always giving generously, so that we can keep reaching our city. You make The River better! #bethemove2020

One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. When we all had to shelter in place, we knew how important it was for you to feel connected. Instead of just casually recording our worship experience, we felt the need to be intentional at making it as high quality, personal and warm as possible. We knew the little things make the biggest difference. We prayed really hard and kept on finding new ways to personally show our online family how much we love you and want to connec...t with you. We are happy we have a growing relationship with you and look forward to all that Jesus has for us in 2021! Thank you for supporting The River by being a part of our online family. We enjoy engaging with you online, and thank you for being a blessing by sharing and subscribing to our YouTube, IG and Facebook channels. You make The River better! There’s still more time to be a part of our year end Be the Move offering and keep The River strong and alive for 2021! Partner with us and be a part of the move: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

Our River Team went out to Linda Vista Elementary School and beautified the playground, landscaping, and even repaired all the basketball backboards with new rims! There’s one more opportunity for you to be a blessing to our neighborhood school tomorrow, Sunday Oct 18. Click the link below to register as one of our River volunteers. Thank you for partnering to impact lives. http://beautifulday.org//p/linda-vista-elementary-school/

One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. The number of food needy families increased this year as a result of Covid-19. Pete was one of the volunteers who wanted to meet the people where their need was. It took a lot of sweat and hard work, but we were so blessed to see families smile knowing that they would be able to make it another week with something to eat. Thank you for supporting The River by volunteering to be part of the move of God. We believe in love thr...ough action, and couldn’t have been able to do what we did this year without you. You make The River better! There’s still more time to be a part of our year end Be the Move offering and keep The River strong and alive for 2021! Partner with us and be a part of the move: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

One of our TOP #10 favorite memories of 2020. When everything was being forced to close down, we were finding ways to keep the doors open. The River launched our prayer drive through during one of the most discouraging times of the pandemic. We remember praying for this lady who was in tears because she had lost all hope and was having a difficult time handling all the unexpected challenges. Thank you for supporting The River through your prayers and financial support. W...e wouldn’t have been able to do what we did this year without you. You make The River better! There’s still more time to be a part of our year end Be the Move offering and keep The River strong and alive for 2021! Partner with us and be a part of the move: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

We all have a desire to have better or bigger in 2021. Better or bigger of anything always begins with more of God. As we get ready to celebrate the New Year, we want to invite you to be part of our 21-day fast that will begin on Jan 3. Live with bigger expectation for God to move by growing in your hunger for His presence. What are you planning to give up for 21 days to get a spiritual awakening and see God move more fully in 2021?... #21dayfast #TheRiverJourney #spiritualawakening

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned in the silence? Some of the greatest lessons of strength comes in the silence. - Randy Capistrano

Did 2020 have moments where it felt like God was silent? You’ll want to lean in on this one. God’s silence doesn’t mean His absence. -Pastor Randy... Click now to watch Don’t Believe the Hype! https://youtu.be/iwY2kRss8TU

Communion at The River!

Let’s do it one more time! Last message of 2020. After one of the most difficult years we have all been through, can’t for you to be encouraged by this

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Good morning River Fam! Church happening at the River online now. Come through and get encouraged one more time for the last message of the year! How it goes down is just as important as how it goes up! https://youtu.be/q4SkTQk-CE8

How your 2020 goes down is just as important as how it comes up in 2021. It’s been lots of ups and downs this year. How will you finish it? No matter how unpredictable this year has been, there is a way to finish well. We’ve been praying for God to encourage you through our final sermon of the year. Can’t wait to worship with you one last time in 2020! Sunday worship experience happening 10AM pst

Merry Christmas River Fam! Jesus hope of the world is born. Take a moment and worship the Savior as we bring a Christmas special straight to your home. #Christmas2020 #aChurchForYou #theRiver

We know how much we miss seeing each other, especially during this most festive time of the year. That’s why we’re bringing the sounds of Christmas at The River to you! May this song remind you of the hope and promise that Christmas brings! This is how we worship! ... #Christmas2020

When everything looked desolate, God sent his Son. And He still does the same today. He will never stop being your Prince of peace, your wonderful Counselor, your everlasting God. He still brings peace to your heart, He still comforts you, He will always be for you. Merry Christmas from your River Family!

What gift will you bring to Jesus?

Happy Monday! You might be wondering, with everything that’s going on, what am I supposed to do during this Christmas Season? Your actions today is either an investment or a withdrawal from a better tomorrow. Stay ready, so you don’t need to get ready.... Want to find out how? Click the link to learn how from yesterday’s message: https://youtu.be/wWv-4EINXm8

There were so many smiling faces in San Jose today after each child was able to receive a gift. Some of the parents were able to receive a blessing as well! Some of the stories we heard today broke our hearts as we were reminded how difficult this year has been for some people in our city. You won’t always hear them say it, but you can see it in their eyes. This is why we are so thankful that we get to be part of the move at The River. We know if we stopped being The Riv...er, days like this wouldn’t happen in our city, and many families wouldn’t have a place to call home or feel loved. And it’s that kind of relationship we have with our community that keeps families connected and strong. Huge thanks to our sponsors who helped make our adopt a family outreach a huge success! Also, special thanks to our partners and volunteers who put in time and resources to make this day possible It means so much that you have supported prayerfully and financially! Thank you for keeping the River alive and strong. You make the River better! Will you believe with us that together we will do even more in 2021? Our Be the Move offering ends December 31. Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give #ChristmasToyGiveaway2020 #AdoptAFamily #cityteam #BeTheMove

You can have hope this year, because Christmas is all about the hope Jesus came to bring. Church happening in 2 min!

Thank you to all our volunteers who came out to wrap gifts to get ready for our community toy giveaway. We know how important it is for people to feel connected in a year where everyone feels isolated. That’s what inspires our volunteers to get up early and wrap gifts, if it means someone in our community is going to feel loved and cherished. Without acts like this, our world feels a lack of warmth that Christmas is supposed to bring. We are passionate about what we do, ...because we know it means lives changed. DM for more volunteer opportunities to be part of the move of God that is reaching our city. Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

This year we have seen a rise in food needy families, small business struggling to make it, and many other issues that 2020 brought. We have shifted as a church to meet the need. Not only have we made an adjustment to increase our online presence to meet the need of everyone having to shelter in place, but we also increased our presence on the street to ease the suffering in our neighborhoods. We know if the River stopped being the move of God, people would not be fed and ...encouraged through our timely messages, and would also not be able to be fed and clothed through our acts of service. Yesterday was our last food pantry of the month!We were able to feed over 260 families! We had a surprise visit from Linda Chavez of the Alum Rock District. She commended all of our volunteer teams for being the heroes in one of the most difficult years our world has seen. As we close out the year, we want to say thank you for all your prayers, financial support, and for volunteering. You have made it possible to keep the River alive and strong, so that lives can be impacted through the love of God. The River can’t be the move of God without you. Thank you for making the River better! Let’s make 2021 even better. Our Be the Move year end offering is happening now! Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV Happy Thursday!

What if we are too focused on unmet expectations that we are losing out on greater expectations? - Randy Capistrano ... Your focus determines your reality. What you focus on expands.

What if we are too focused on unmet expectations that we are losing out on greater expectations? Click now to watch Not What I Expected! https://youtu.be/Mukry9tq9vM

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St. James Christmas Outreach happening this Sat @8AM! What a joy to be able to share warm food and clothing...and also to share warm conversation that these friends of ours rarely get...this is how we show God's love to a people in need ..all are welcome to join us at St James Park this Saturday the 12th at 8am for our Christmas outreach...come receive the joy of giving love to others. DM for more info how to be a part of this volunteer opportunity. ... #bethemove #homelessoutreach #exploretheriver #volunteer

People are still talking about what God did through Sunday’s sermon Power of the Pivot! We know it’s been a year of ___. You fill in the blanks. But it’s also been a year of opportunity. We want to help you make the right moves to shift into all God wants to give you! Click here for the full message: https://youtu.be/4iGGPTk9KN0 You’re invited to join our Midweek small groups tonight for a deep dive on this topic. Send us a direct message here for more info on how to join!

Things will happen in you. Things will happen around you. But the most important thing is what’s happening in you. Click here for the full message: https://youtu.be/4iGGPTk9KN0

There are no dead ends with God. Pivot and find a way to stay in your purpose Click now to watch Power of the Pivot! https://youtu.be/4iGGPTk9KN0

Choose one - your actions today can either be a step closer or a step away to the life you’ve always been wanting.

If you feel led to support this ministry financially please visit: https://exploretheriver.church/give -----------------... We are a family of faith that loves Jesus where people can be found in him. ----------------- Stay Connected: Website: https://exploretheriver.church Randy Capistrano Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzu67V7K5CdQtSDxnWGcOjw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolfcsj/?eid=ARBFbjRFl0ZDhX9TgsWJqA24M_za5pXCRH2hqGE1uM4suORz1ztUpXtaKVHbN6XnTh3E4fGJgz3osPsm Instagram: https://instagram.com/theriversj?igshid=17qayynj5iyjb

Do you feel like you’ve been sinking this year, losing hope at every turn? Try this instead. Sink deep into God’s love and mercy and watch your faith and hope renew! Can’t wait to see you all for a brand new encounter with Jesus! Happening tomorrow at 10AM pst

Lives are being found and saved through the River. Through our outreach programs like Kids Club, food pantry, homeless project warmth, and many of our other ongoing ministries, people have been encouraged and are feeling the love of Jesus. This entire month is Be the Move offering month. Let’s come together and give generously to the cause of reaching our city and seeing lives changed through the love of Jesus! We believe we are going to do even greater things for 202...1! Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give #bethemove #yearendoffering

My name is Frank, father of EJ, who was a participant in the Kids Club outreach that The River does for elementary schools. I just wanted to let you know the effect Kids Club had on my son. My son attended club while he was at Holly Oak Elementary. He would often tell me that he enjoyed the way you and your staff taught him about Jesus! You made it understandable and fun for him at his age! More importantly you were planting a seed in him that would continue to develop as h...e grew up and matured. He would have some difficult days as a 13 year old but the seeds you planted in him kept growing! He would come out of those dark days because he was a child of God. When it was all over he would grow as a young man. He grew so much to the point at 15 , he would tell me, Dad when I grow up I want to be a doctor so I can help people! Hearing him still recall kids club, and the impact that The River made on his life, I want to say thank you for all you do with our youth like EJ! Even though you may not see the fruits of all your labor for various reasons just know that your fulfilling your mission as a church and touching the lives of these kids by being the church outside the 4 walls! Keep going River Fam! Our youth need this just like EJ did! Love you and my brothers and sisters. And a huge thanks to all the Kids Club team! My son and I now celebrate the life we have in Christ! Frank Galey and EJ #newbeginnings #volunteer #storiesoftheriver

There is a growing desperation in our city. We see people hurting, worrying about shelter and food, adding stress in their marriages and families. If churches like The River did not exist, if organizations like City Team shut down, so many families would not have made it this year. That’s why we want to say thank you for supporting and making it possible for us to be out there every month to meet people right at the point of their need. Your giving allows us to have a faci...lity where we can distribute goods, and also a place where God’s Word can be shared to the world through our new various platforms. This entire month is Be the Move offering month. Let’s come together and give generously to the cause of reaching our city and seeing lives changed through the love of Jesus! We believe we are going to do even greater things for 2021! Partner with us and impact people in our community: Click here: https://exploretheriver.church/give #bethemove #yearendoffering

So glad you were able to join Pastor Randy for our lunch talk on the topic It’s Just a Setup! If it was a blessing to you, and you want to share it with someone you know that could use this encouragement, feel free to share. You’re also invited to join our online Midweek small groups every Wednesday for a deep dive on topics like this. Email us at [email protected] for info on how to join. Or you can DM us right here. ... Have a great day everyone!

What filter do you use to see your situations?

As the weather cools, jobs uncertainty increases, and food needy families continue to rise, it’s never been more important to be the church. We are constantly finding ways to communicate God’s love through the word, but also in action. During this pandemic, The River never stopped giving food to an average of 250 families every month. Big thanks to all of our volunteers and others who keep praying for these opportunities to love on our community! You all make the River better Our food pantry is happening tomorrow at 1:30pm-3:00pm. DM for info or email at [email protected] on how to join our volunteer team, and many other volunteer opportunities at The River!

The problem of depending on favorable circumstances in order to be grateful is that our gratitude is at the mercy of those things remaining in our life. Click now to watch It’s Just a Setup! https://youtu.be/x1O5FBZ6zjQ

What scene in your life can you view through a different lens of your bigger story? You cannot change your past but God can give you a better future.

They say that leaders are born, not made. I say otherwise. My first two years of high school, drugs and ditching class was seemingly what popular kids did. I was influenced by my friends at the time and I participated in these activities too. I knew it wasn’t good for me, but it didn’t seem harmful and I didn’t want to lose my friends. As an immigrant from China, I didn’t have many. In February 2018, I met a peer outside of that group who is now my closest friend today. He i...nvited me to attend his church, the River of Life Family Church. At the time, I was skeptical. I wasn’t a person of faith nor did I believe in Jesus Christ. I ended up going that day without any expectations. However, everyone’s kindness inspired me; I never had anybody, needless to say, a whole group, welcomed me with open arms. I decided from that day forward to commit to church because I knew it was a better path for me. Overall, I’ve been very involved with the church. So much so, it motivated me to start helping others that struggle with issues similar to those I had experienced. Today, I counsel other youths and have learned that leading includes listening and empathy. I’ve also learned - at least from my perspective - that one can lead from behind. That is, you don’t always have to be in front to be a leader, but supporting others from behind and lifting them up to be better is also a form of leadership. I have risen to the position of Youth Leader at my church, due to my positive work with others. I help fellow youths in my community, speaking at local events and lending an ear for anyone that desires a more noble path. I suppose people’s definition of leadership is different. I’ve also learned that it’s more important to be a good friend than to be popular. And, in my case, with the right set of experiences - both bad and good - leaders don’t have to be born, they can be made. -Jiasheng Jiang #StoriesOfTheRiver #NewBeginnings #TheRiverYouth #exploretheriver

Abundance flows out of your life when gratitude flows out of your heart. - Jon Gordon

Does your daily actions match up to who you really are? You cannot act consistently contrary to who you really are. A tree will always be known by its fruit. - Aaron Smith

2020 began with so much promise and hope for everyone, but as the world entered into the pandemic, many began to lose hope. We want to encourage you to continue fighting the good fight and finish the year strong. Join us this week for a special midweek and prayer service as we discuss the message of Truth or Consequences and wrap things up with our annual Thanksgiving prayer. In the spirit of the holiday, we encourage you to prepare a Thanksgiving themed treat, snack, or dess...ert to enjoy during midweek. When: Wednesday, Nov. 25th Time: 7:00PM to 8:30PM Where: Zoom (email [email protected] for link)

Our bro got real yesterday. That’s what we love about what’s happening at the River. No religion, no condemnation, just honesty about life and seeking real relationship with God. We push religion out of the way, so you can have a close relationship with Jesus. Click here to watch our newest sermon!... https://youtu.be/0emUe493Yv4 See more