Riverwood Church Community

As Christians, we can hear the truths of Scripture again and again without ever letting them trulytake root in our hearts. Sometimes, it isn't until our faith is shaken or we find ourselves in themiddle of pain that we're confronted with the choice to believe Christ's truths or not.Thankfully, Jesus isn't afraid to meet us in those moments. Just like He did for the woman at thewell, He reminds us that we are fully known, deeply loved, chosen, and accepted by Him. It'sfrom that place that we find the courage to not only believe the truths Christ died to give us, butto live them out.

Life can be complicated. We all carry responsibilities, ambitions, goals, and unexpected circumstances that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. When life becomes difficult, our instinct is often to work harder and solve the problem ourselves. Only when we've exhausted our own strength do we finally turn to God, making Him the last piece that completes the puzzle.This weekend, we'll hear authentic stories of lives that are complicated yet transformed by the faithfulness of God. Through the story of Isaac, we'll discover that God was never meant to be the final piece of our life's puzzle. He is the main piece that gives meaning to every other piece. After years of conflict and striving, Isaac finally arrived at Beersheba, built an altar, and worshipped God. The question for all of us is: What will it take for you to arrive at your Beersheba?

What do you do when God doesn't remove the thorn? In this deeply personal message, Pastor Todd shares a story he's still living as he wrestles with an unexplained medical condition and discovers fresh hope in Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12). If you've ever prayed, "God, please take this away," this message may change the way you see your pain, and the grace that meets you in it.

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to ordinary people? Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a personal story of God's call, discover how the risen Jesus still meets people where they are, calls them by name, and invites them into a life of hope, purpose, and mission.

What do a frightened seven-year-old, a violent storm, and a boat full of terrified disciples have in common? More than you might think. In this deeply personal message, discover how Jesus meets us in the moments when we feel most overwhelmed—and why being in over your head may be the very place where faith begins.

Hope has a problem. It has been misunderstood, domesticated, and reduced to little more than wishful thinking. But God's hope is remarkably untamed and unshakable. In this message, we'll discover why biblical hope isn't optimism about better circumstances, but unwavering confidence in the God who brings life out of what everyone else has declared dead.

From Caesar's chariots to the empires of today, the world has always measured power by who can dominate and who can make the crowd bow. But Jesus unleashed a kingdom that runs on a different kind of power entirely….one wilder than anything Rome ever paraded through its streets.

What if hospitality was more than greeting people at the door or inviting friends over for dinner? In this message, we explore God's vision for hospitality, a radical, Spirit-empowered way of living that helps people feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Drawing from Scripture, the hospitality practices of world class organizations, and the story of Hosea, we'll discover how God uses ordinary people to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. Hospitality isn't simply what we do. It's who we are as followers of Jesus.

In a world full of AI, biased news, and the constant pressure to "live your truth," it's hard not to wonder: what is truth? In this message from our Church in the Wild series, we discover how our desire for limitless freedom often leaves us spiritually off course. Following God isn't about living a boring, restricted life, but leads us to live a wild adventure anchored by Jesus and the truth markers that never change. Join us as we look at the Gospel of John to uncover the liberating power of a truth that cannot be tamed, controlled, or defeated.

n week one of Church in the Wild, Todd opens Luke 15 by first taking us into one of the most shocking moments in modern courtroom history. From there, we walk through Jesus' familiar story of two lost sons and one gracious Father, discovering that grace is not tame, tidy, predictable or easy to control. Grace welcomes the wrong people, costs more than we imagine, runs toward brokenness, restores before it is earned and offends every scorekeeper in the room.

In this teaching, Todd explores the seven devastating effects of sin's attack on humanity in Genesis 3, and the stunning seven-fold reversal God reveals in Revelation 22. From shame to restoration, curse to blessing, exile to homecoming, and death to life, the final chapter of the Bible declares that everything broken by sin will one day be made beautifully and completely new.

This weekend, we're sharing stories, reflections, and moments from Riverwood's recent trip to eSwatini through a message called Place in His Hands.Again and again, we were reminded of this simple truth: when ordinary people place ordinary things into the hands of Jesus, He multiplies them into something far greater than imagined.This service is a celebration of what God is doing through faithful people, open hands, and a God who still multiplies what is surrendered to Him.

What if the Book of Revelation isn't primarily a secret codebook for predicting the future… but a curtain being pulled back so suffering believers can finally see what is really going on? In this message, Todd explores dragons, beasts, apocalyptic symbols, and the strange imagery of Revelation through a completely different lens: not as a rigid timeline, but as resistance literature written to strengthen frightened Christians living under the shadow of Rome. And somewhere between a 150-year-old optical illusion, Picasso, and a “fever dream of symbols,” you may discover that the final book of the Bible is far less about fear…and far more about faithful endurance.

In a world where truth feels flexible and faith feels fragile, the final books of the Bible speak a clear and urgent message: don't drift, don't doubt, and don't dilute what God has entrusted to you. These final books remind us that our feelings can mislead us, but God's Word keeps us aligned. The question is…are you trusting what you feel…or God has said?

At the very end of the Bible, the focus isn't about fear or deciphering the future, but God's last words to us are all about hope. But in the middle of real life, that hope can feel distant or fragile. As we live in this tension, God shows us how to live anchored in what's ahead while fully present in what's now.

One of the strongest forces in a relationship is invisible, often overlooked, but incredibly powerful: your words…or your silence. Words travel like electricity down the powerline of a relationship, and the right ones can reach the heart and change everything.

One of the strongest forces in a relationship is invisible, often overlooked, but incredibly powerful: your words…or your silence. Words travel like electricity down the powerline of a relationship, and the right ones can reach the heart and change everything.

This Easter, the tour continues. What began on Good Friday in the Museum of Heaven leads us to a breathtaking exhibit of resurrection life, showing us the kind of people grace can raise, restore, and remake. Come celebrate the risen Christ and the new life only He can give.

This Easter, the tour continues. What began on Good Friday in the Museum of Heaven leads us to a breathtaking exhibit of resurrection life, showing us the kind of people grace can raise, restore, and remake. Come celebrate the risen Christ and the new life only He can give.

This Good Friday, join us for a moving walk through the Museum of Heaven, where ordinary objects tell the extraordinary story of Christ's final hours. Each exhibit opens a window into the humility, service, forgiveness, and sacrifice of Jesus, and reminds us that the greatest love the world has ever known was not merely spoken, but poured out.

This Good Friday, join us for a moving walk through the Museum of Heaven, where ordinary objects tell the extraordinary story of Christ's final hours. Each exhibit opens a window into the humility, service, forgiveness, and sacrifice of Jesus, and reminds us that the greatest love the world has ever known was not merely spoken, but poured out.

Last week, we explored the stickiness of grace. This weekend, we move deeper into Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians to discover the kind of relational glue Paul kept applying to a world that was falling apart: “one anothering.” If our culture is training us to live in bubbles, this message is a call back to the beautiful, demanding, life-giving work of becoming the Body of Christ.

Last week, we explored the stickiness of grace. This weekend, we move deeper into Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians to discover the kind of relational glue Paul kept applying to a world that was falling apart: “one anothering.” If our culture is training us to live in bubbles, this message is a call back to the beautiful, demanding, life-giving work of becoming the Body of Christ.

What if the thing that holds your relationships together isn't chemistry, compatibility, or effort, but something far more powerful? In this opening message of The Glue, we uncover how God's grace, received by us, becomes the very force that can stabilize, restore, and strengthen our relationships. And if that's true…what would it look like for that grace to start showing up in your everyday life?

What if the thing that holds your relationships together isn't chemistry, compatibility, or effort, but something far more powerful? In this opening message of The Glue, we uncover how God's grace, received by us, becomes the very force that can stabilize, restore, and strengthen our relationships. And if that's true…what would it look like for that grace to start showing up in your everyday life?

What if the moments that feel like failure, pressure, or weakness are actually the place where God wants to do His greatest work in your life? In this final message of the “When in Rome” series, we walk through the book of 2 Corinthians as a four-act story and discover why Paul believed weakness wasn't something to hide but something God could use. If you've ever wondered why God doesn't always remove the struggle…this message might completely change how you see it.

What if the moments that feel like failure, pressure, or weakness are actually the place where God wants to do His greatest work in your life? In this final message of the “When in Rome” series, we walk through the book of 2 Corinthians as a four-act story and discover why Paul believed weakness wasn't something to hide but something God could use. If you've ever wondered why God doesn't always remove the struggle…this message might completely change how you see it.

n this message, we discover how a simple misunderstanding of context can completely change how we read the Bible, and why understanding the world of ancient Corinth suddenly makes Paul's challenging words in 1 Corinthians come alive. When you see the culture Paul was speaking into, his message becomes clearer and far more relevant for how we live today.

n this message, we discover how a simple misunderstanding of context can completely change how we read the Bible, and why understanding the world of ancient Corinth suddenly makes Paul's challenging words in 1 Corinthians come alive. When you see the culture Paul was speaking into, his message becomes clearer and far more relevant for how we live today.

We're called to do all things for the glory of God, but when it really comes down to it, what does that actually look like in everyday life? In this honest and challenging message on 1 Corinthians 1–10, our high school students wrestle with what it means to grow up in their faith, stay rooted in Christ, and recognize how their choices impact the people around them. It's a real look at living with purpose, navigating pressure, and learning to follow Jesus in a way that points everything back to God.

We're called to do all things for the glory of God, but when it really comes down to it, what does that actually look like in everyday life? In this honest and challenging message on 1 Corinthians 1–10, our high school students wrestle with what it means to grow up in their faith, stay rooted in Christ, and recognize how their choices impact the people around them. It's a real look at living with purpose, navigating pressure, and learning to follow Jesus in a way that points everything back to God.

We naturally conform to the patterns of the world—whether in fashion, behaviour, or relationships. Paul calls us instead to follow God's pattern: a life transformed by mercy, renewed thinking, and love that honours others above ourselves.

We naturally conform to the patterns of the world—whether in fashion, behaviour, or relationships. Paul calls us instead to follow God's pattern: a life transformed by mercy, renewed thinking, and love that honours others above ourselves.

When in Rome… do as the Romans do — but what happens when Rome isn't neutral? In this message, we explore how Paul calls us to resist cultural drift not through reaction or superiority, but by remembering who we are: loved, broken, and called to a new allegiance in Christ.

When in Rome… do as the Romans do — but what happens when Rome isn't neutral? In this message, we explore how Paul calls us to resist cultural drift not through reaction or superiority, but by remembering who we are: loved, broken, and called to a new allegiance in Christ.

What if “spiritual gifts” feel confusing, not because the Bible is unclear, but because our modern idea of gifts is? In this message from the Book of Acts, we discover that the Holy Spirit's power was never meant for personal preference, self-expression, or optional upgrades. Instead, God empowers ordinary people with extraordinary power, not for themselves, but to serve others and advance His mission.

What if “spiritual gifts” feel confusing, not because the Bible is unclear, but because our modern idea of gifts is? In this message from the Book of Acts, we discover that the Holy Spirit's power was never meant for personal preference, self-expression, or optional upgrades. Instead, God empowers ordinary people with extraordinary power, not for themselves, but to serve others and advance His mission.

Is the Holy Spirit supposed to feel…weird?  Drawing from a personal journey and the Book of Acts, this message cuts through hype and fear to show how the Spirit speaks in grounded, biblical, life-shaping ways…calling ordinary people to courage, obedience, and purpose. The goal isn't spectacle, it's a changed life.

Is the Holy Spirit supposed to feel…weird?  Drawing from a personal journey and the Book of Acts, this message cuts through hype and fear to show how the Spirit speaks in grounded, biblical, life-shaping ways…calling ordinary people to courage, obedience, and purpose. The goal isn't spectacle, it's a changed life.

What difference does the Holy Spirit actually make in real life, on a Tuesday afternoon, in your fears, your finances, and your private choices?  In Acts 1–7, we don't just learn who the Holy Spirit is, we see what He does: confusion turns to clarity, fear shrinks, generosity grows, and double-lives are exposed to the light of truth. This message explores the practical, lived-out ways God changes us from the inside out; not in theory, but where life is real and we need Him most.

What difference does the Holy Spirit actually make in real life, on a Tuesday afternoon, in your fears, your finances, and your private choices?  In Acts 1–7, we don't just learn who the Holy Spirit is, we see what He does: confusion turns to clarity, fear shrinks, generosity grows, and double-lives are exposed to the light of truth. This message explores the practical, lived-out ways God changes us from the inside out; not in theory, but where life is real and we need Him most.

Discover how God's glory transforms lives and how the Holy Spirit dwells in you today. Moses on Mount Sinai to modern testimony, see how encountering God changes everything. Learn about eternal life, purpose, and living fully in God's presence. Join us for God in Me and experience the Spirit at work in your life!

Discover how God's glory transforms lives and how the Holy Spirit dwells in you today. Moses on Mount Sinai to modern testimony, see how encountering God changes everything. Learn about eternal life, purpose, and living fully in God's presence. Join us for God in Me and experience the Spirit at work in your life!

God isn't just with us. Scripture shows that because of Jesus' work on the cross, we can experience Him living in us. Come along as we journey through the Bible to explore His presence, from the very beginning at creation to the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer.

God isn't just with us. Scripture shows that because of Jesus' work on the cross, we can experience Him living in us. Come along as we journey through the Bible to explore His presence, from the very beginning at creation to the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer.

Through the story of the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus interrupts systems that normalize suffering and invites us into a kingdom shaped by imagination, connection, and restoring presence.

Through the story of the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus interrupts systems that normalize suffering and invites us into a kingdom shaped by imagination, connection, and restoring presence.

Offer God all that you have, wherever you are, and keep Jesus at the center of everything you do.

Offer God all that you have, wherever you are, and keep Jesus at the center of everything you do.

Christmas isn't a cozy Hallmark script, it's a holy interruption. This message peels back the sentimentality to reveal why our deepest longings, aches, and anticipations are not distractions to overcome, but signposts pointing straight to Jesus.