The River Christian Church, Auckland, NZ

While we're called to ‘hear and obey' the Word of God, not all of the Bible is straightforward reading, and some passages can bring questions and confusion as to who God is and what he requires of us. Pastor Peter Morton shares a basic framework for how we can approach the more difficult sections of God's Word. 

Pastor James Anson brings a powerful message on how to live a ignited life and to ignite others. 

Ps Peter Morton brings the first message in our new series 'More Than Words' - looking at why we need the Bible, how God uses it in our lives, where to begin and how to hear God's voice through the Scriptures.  

Pastor Annika brings a message on Mothers Day, encouraging us to find the light during dark times, and challenging us to not grow weary, but instead continue to be the light to those around us. 

Malaysia Mission Team's update.

On Mother's Day Pastor Judy Dawson brings the message from the parable of the Lost Coin. We all would have lost some things in life but recognising what is missing is the first step to recovering what the enemy has stolen from our lives. Cross is the place of our recovery. 

In a dry and weary world, Jesus invites us to drink deeply of His Spirit—a river that never runs dry. In this powerful message by Len Buttner, he explores what it means to receive the "rivers of living water" promised in John 7:38 and how the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit isn't meant to stop with us. Just as rivers flow outward to bring life wherever they go, we are called to overflow with grace, healing, and hope to a thirsty world.

We look at the next part of the ‘More Than Words' series as to why the Bible is trustworthy and accurate, presented by J Warner who used to be a cold case homicide detective and author of “Cold Case Christianity”.  He shares five reasons to trust Bible. 

The roots are so important for every good fruit and healthy plant. In the same way, our blessings and strength come from the secret place of His presence.  Pastor Judy Dawson shares the important principles of inheriting the favour and strength that Joshua had staying in the tent of the meeting longer after Moses.  

Pastor Peter Morton brings the first message in our new series ‘More Than Words' - looking at why we need the Bible, how God uses it in our lives, the practicals around getting started with a Bible translation and where to begin - and how to hear God's voice through the Scriptures. 

Pastor Judy Dawson brings the Easter message on what it means to be living a resurrected life in Christ and how we are more than conquerers through Christ through resurrection.

Listen to the words of Jesus on the cross shared by different leaders and the communion word shared by Pastor Judy. 

This Easter Sunday Pastor Lyall explores the parable of the grand feast found in Luke 14:15 - 24. Through this story that Jesus told we will discover the warning of the list of the fickle, the declaration of the waitlist of grace, and our invitation to be a compelling servant.

On this Good Friday, we turn to Colossians 1 and fix our eyes on Christ — the image of the invisible God, the One through whom and for whom all things were created and the One who by His death on the cross made the way for us to have peace and relationship with God.

As we commissioned our overseas mission team this morning, Ps Peter Morton brings us back to Jesus' call to 'GO' in Matthew 28 - and how that plays out in our everyday lives.

Our battles are different at different seasons of our lives. Pastor Judy Dawson shares a powerful message on  fighting the good battles and to show up to our battles, and not give-up on our faith till the end. 

On Sunday our River Youth led our service, with youth worship, youth games, youth mcs and youth speakers. We're so encouraged to see what God is doing in our young people and to hear from Naomi, Micah and Levi what God is doing in and through their lives as they be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do the things Jesus did.

For every good fruit and a healthy plant, the roots are so important. Same way our every blessing and our strength comes from the secret place of his presence. Pastor Judy Dawson shares the important principles of inheriting the favour that Moses and Joshua had.  

Gathering together as the church can be more challenging that it seems!  Ps Peter Morton shares three obstacles that we face as we look to prioritise meeting together, and reminds us of the big reason why the gathering of the church matters.  

God wants us to be His residing place. Pastor Chris shares how Jesus comes and He first clears the ungodly things in our lives to make us His residing place. But how willing are we to give Him our control. 

Church is more than something we do once a week. We gather on purpose with a purpose to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do the things Jesus did. Ps Claire takes the word GATHER and explores what we do and why at The River and how God uses our gathering for His purposes and our transformation.

How do we find our place in the Church? Why is it important to connect? Pastor Annika brings a challenging message on recognising our piece of the puzzle. 

Pastor Judy Dawson talks about the Kingdom we belong to and the threefold work of the Church. We all have an assignment to represent our King and the Kingdom of heaven here on earth well. 

How do we find our place in the church? Why is it important to connect? Pastor Annika brings a challenging message on recognizing our piece of the puzzle.

Gathering together as the church can be more challenging that it seems! Ps Peter Morton shares three obstacles that we face as we look priorities meeting together, and remind us of the big reason why the gathering of the Church matters. 

There has been a shift, a disconnect, a parting. Never before in human history has the differences been the older and generation been so sparse. However, we find the perfect example of two wildly different generations gathering together in the true life account of Ruth and her mother in law Naomi. In the book of Ruth, Pastor Lyall will look at their journey for the way we should go. We will see the call to Ruth's future, Naomi's legacy restored, and the true kinsman redeemer revealed. This is the return.

Pastor Judy Dawson shares the importance of gathering as a family of God. The different ways we are equipped to impact our generation and the next, the impact we can make here on earth and are called for the eternal impact.

Ps Stephen Miller from Manukau New Life church brings a timely word on what God's priority is for the church in 2025 - to purify us and prepare us to carry His glory

Andrew from Creation ministries speaks about Creation and the evidence for design, and how to defend our faith to the world around us. 

As we start our new 'Gather' series - Ps Peter Morton speaks into this common question - with a surprising answer!  

Pastor Judy Dawson brings the biblical reasons why we come to Church each Sunday and what are the truths and the benefits of coming together. 

Ps Peter Morton shares vision for the coming year for The River and some key highlights ahead.  

Things that are coming up in 2025.

Pastor Judy Dawson shares from Eze 47, the different levels of depth that each of us need to grow into to move from one level of faith to another. 

Pastor Annika calls us to focus on the mission and call of Jesus from Luke 4. To see the gospel preached, the brokenhearted healed and those caught in dark places set free.

There is a season for everything, and things that didn't work in a previous season are what God is calling us to do in this one. Ps Peter Morton shares from Luke 5 about the importance of listening to God's call over our personal experience.

Ps Peter Morton shares from the story of the rich young ruler, about why we make the sacrifices we do as Christians and how vital it is in that process that we 'get' who Jesus is.  

Whether we're succeeding or feeling stuck, we can trust that God's presence and guidance are always available to help us through life's challenges.

Ps Judy Dawson brings a message on the importance of moving on from past achievements and not staying on past bad experiences. There is a greater glory that God wants to release through us when we choose to change the way we see ourselves. 

Ps Chris Dawson shares about the miracle that happened in unexpected places and at unexpected times in two different people's lives. When we step into God's spotlight miracles happen.

For our first church meeting of 2025, Ps Peter Morton shares from Luke 24 about finding motivation, and the powerful effect that Jesus' presence and words have on our lives.  

Ps Judy Dawson brings a challenging message at the start of the year about the wells of Isaac and the awareness for us to step into the blessings that the enemy has come to shut down in our lives. 

Ps Chris Dawson shares on how God has commanded us to be a beacon of light to those who are far from Him & step up to the occasion of carrying Jesus no matter what ability you have. 

Ps Peter Morton finishes up our Imago Dei series looking at how through the Trinity God IS community - and so as people made in His image, we've been designed for community too.  

Pastor Annika brings insights on how we have been created in His image, by God and for God. Also how we will live differently, when we grasp what our identity is as a child of God, carrying His DNA and reflecting His nature and image.

Pastor Annika brings insights on how we have been created in His image, by God and for God. Also how we will live differently, when we grasp what our identity is as a child of God, carrying His DNA and reflecting His nature and image. 

Ps Peter Morton brings a challenging message on the importance of work, and God has a pattern for how we work and there is a blessing in His pattern of work. 

On Sunday, we were blessed to hear a powerful message from our guest speaker Ps Paul Saunders (Hope Centre, Wellington) on the "Builder's Anointing." He encouraged us to embrace the anointing to build, reminding us that we are blessed with everything we need to overcome the battles that come with the work of ministry. Through faith, we are equipped to push past obstacles and continue building God's church, ushering in revival for this generation. 

As part of the Imago Dei series, Pastor Judy Dawson speaks on the importance of staying connected to one another as we are made to live in community to go beyond and farther to fulfil God's purpose in our lives.

Pastor Judy Dawson starts the series on Imago Dei, responding to the question “Who Am I”. Each one of us are a gift from God and we are all His Image bearers, and how that shape the way we see ourselves and interact with others.