Download Statement of Faith

River of Life Church was founded in 1975 by Clarence R. Matheny, a pioneer missionary to Kenya East Africa. Upon its inception, the purpose was to become
“A Bible Teaching Center with a worldwide outreach." To this day, under the leadership of Mike Ewoldt, Senior Pastor, the vision continues to expand and support the original purpose.

The vision of River of Life Church is to be a life-giving, multi-cultural church that reaches, restores and releases people to excel in their God-divine purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit. This vision translates to River of Life Church being a church for “All People;” A place of new beginnings…; that wherever the river flows, everything lives. (Ezekiel 47:9)

The Holy Spirit is empowering the church to establish effective community outreaches (Home Mission), world mission initiatives, missionary support and partnership (Foreign Mission).

In order to get a true glance into our hearts as a local church, with great humility, as church family, we would like to share the values that support the vision and communicate His Love for His children and those we are called to reach.

As a church:

1. WE VALUE THE ANOINTED TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE AS THE CATALYST FOR LIFE TRANSFORMATION AND CITY REFORMATION.

2. We value the presence of the miraculous in our midst and welcome it through our worship and the expression of the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit.

3. We value the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic family of God and intentionally seek to build our family (local church) on the model of Christ.

4. We value prayer in all forms and see it as the means to release the Kingdom, the Father’s Will and His Spirit in the earth.

5. We value lost people because they matter to God and therefore ought to matter to His church. We will intentionally structure our meetings and ministries to reflect and express God’s heart to the lost.

6. We value cultural relevance and doctrinal purity, and believe the creative expression of the Gospel is the form and foundation to achieve this.

7. We value excellence and integrity because they honor God and inspire people.

8. We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life.

9. We value small groups as a key means of life fostering life change and support.

10. We value the stewardship of spiritual gifts and participation of all believers in ministry and service.

11. We value the unique purpose of God for each individual and believe the pursuit of this purpose is evidenced by authenticity and the hunger for continuous spiritual growth in the lives of Christ followers.

12. We value world missions and will devote significant time energy and resources toward developing resources for missionaries, church planters and leadership training for unreached nations.