Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission
The River is a community of Christ-followers that connects with all people helping them discover and experience the life God created them to live!

Vision
The River is a Christ-centered, serving oriented church that has a focused and expanding impact on the Eastern Shore by meeting people's real needs, helping them find life in Jesus Christ, and planting healthy new churches.

Core Values
The River faith community commits to pursue a life that demonstrates the following seven core values, believing that these things characterize the life God created us to live.

Anchor. We affirm the central truths of historic orthodox Christian faith. We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and contains everything necessary for salvation. The Scriptures reveal principles and truths that give guidance to all of life and serve as the anchor in the midst of changing times.

Community. All people everywhere are created in the image of God. We believe we were made for relationships where we care for each other, support each other, and serve each other. As we enter into community with each other, we experience God's presence and open our lives to true transformation.

Worship. The most important calling in life is to love God with our whole being - heart, soul, mind, and strength. The journey of faith is about offering ourselves to God as an expression of our love for him. This giving of ourselves fully to God is the ultimate act of worship.

Transformation. We believe that God wants to transform us from the inside out to be more like Jesus Christ. We believe that the salvation Jesus offers is the only hope for humanity and our world. This transformation can only occur as we surrender ourselves to God and his work in us.

Serving. We believe that Christ-followers are to be a compelling force for good in the world, relieving suffering, fighting injustice, and demonstrating compassion. As we care for our world through serving, the world experiences the love and care of our God.

Movement. God is at work in the world today. It is the job of the church to discover what God is doing and join him in that work. This perspective leads us to be creative, welcome change, and pursue innovation in an effort to move forward with God.

Mission. The church is God's ongoing presence in the world and is called to join with God in his mission to transform the world. We cling to the hope that through Jesus Christ our world can be different and better.