“Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)

This year our theme is Deeply Rooted. We have defined what it means to be Deeply Rooted as Grounded, Growing, and Grateful. We are grounded in Christ. He is our anchor through all of the ups and downs of life. We are grounded in the Scriptures – they are His absolute truth and provide us with wisdom for the journey. We are growing in Christ, humbly seeking to reflect His nature and character as we remain in Him and bear the fruit of His Spirit. We are grateful for all that we have been given in Christ. We express that gratitude by living a life of worship and devotion that overflows in our generosity.

team, and each serves with a passionate zeal as they honor the Lord with their callings, gifts, talents, and treasures. I’m blessed to serve alongside our staff and Board of Deacons – Emily Ammerman, Andrea Bender, Tyler Nichols, Taylor Schubert, and Heidi Serventi. Their prayers, encouragement, support, and guidance are life-giving gifts to me.

As grounded followers who rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, we will live in victory and not be led astray. As our spiritual roots are deep in Christ, we don’t want any other soil. As Jesus is our sure foundation, we stand on solid ground. As we study and grow in the Scriptures, we won’t be easily enticed by false doctrine. As our hearts are overflowing with thanksgiving, we won’t consider turning from the fullness we have in Jesus. We won’t be led astray as grounded, growing, and grateful followers.

As you watch the videos from each of our team leaders, I hope you’ll take time to offer thanksgiving for all that has been accomplished this past year in Jesus’ name. Take time to celebrate the Deeply Rooted stories we share with you of just some of those loved and cared for by our church family. Remember that when you sacrificed, you were investing in the power of the Holy Spirit to help people become grounded, growing, and grateful.

With my gratitude,

David Kennard // Lead Pastor

To watch our highlight video from this past summer as well as our Annual MySideOf Riverside Rally thank you video, click on the images below!

In 2022 you went above and beyond to give to those around us both near and far! We financially supported 11 missionaries in 11 countries as well as 10 local ministry organizations on a regular monthly basis. We raised over $58,536 to feed children through Convoy of Hope’s One Day to Feed the World offering. We raised $12,968 through our SEAPC Care for Kids campaign to make practical improvements to the Kampong Speu Children's Home in Cambodia! We raised $9,700 and collected 497 bags of groceries for our 5 local food banks in February and October, and we were able to provide gifts for 42 kids and teens during our Christmas Giving initiatives. You also graciously helped to raise $13,750 for the efforts of our local Salvation Army!

You served the needs of our surrounding communities by providing free community dinners, stocking the Little Food Pantries all across our area, volunteering at Light of Life, visiting the homeless, ringing bells for the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign, and donating food, toiletries, and clothing to our annual food/clothing drives. Bless you for seeing the many needs and responding with selfless, sacrificial generosity. We do more as a church when everyone gives and participates, even in small ways; it adds up to make a very big difference in our world! And there is no better return on investment than the return we will one day see when God’s Kingdom is fully and finally established. Thank you for contributing to the needs around us both near and far!

To view the highlight videos of our Nexus Student Ministry trip to the Dominican Republic (El Cruze), and our Adult Ministry trip to the Dominican Republic (Called to Impact), click on the images below!