River is a community committed to loving, knowing, and following God, and we believe the only way to do this is to pursue a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that God calls us to experience His reality in every aspect of our lives, which brings purpose to our lives and life to our relationships. We desire to be salt and light in our city, and to be a bridge to the culture in order to share the new life that Christ brings.
Our Elders
Lay Elders
Kevin Scwhemmer
Donnovan Karber
Doug Ledbetter
Brad Boulware
Scott Ochs
Neil Satrom
Eric Eakins
Matt Statler
Staff Elders
Terry Williams
Rodney Bartlett
Jim Lewis
Trace Kendrick
Elder Commitments
Moral purity
Healthy relationship with wife and children
Faithfully Walk with Jesus
Involved in small group leadership at River
Tithe at River
Demonstrate a commitment to the Heart Attitudes
Key Verses on Eldership
1 Timothy 5:17, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 2:11-14
Our Beliefs
Our church holds to the Baptist Faith and Message as a concise and accurate description of what we believe. Within our church there is diversity on theological positions not outlined in the Baptist Faith and Message. Below you will find highlights of some of our beliefs. You can read the entire Baptist Faith and Message online
The Bible
The Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God. It is God’s revelation of Himself to man. All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. The triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
Humanity
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin but given freedom of choice by God. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the world.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus.
Our Values
Participate
in the Ministry
of River1 Peter 4:10-11
1 Corinthians 12:12, 18-20, 27River is God’s ministry, and He arranges the ministers as He wants.
If River is where God wants you, He has a role for you to play here.Demonstrate an
Open & Honest LifeEphesians 4:25
Proverbs 12:19Our aim is to be known authentically by others. If we are having a great day, then we tell people we are having a great day. If it has been a rough day, then we want to be honest about that.
Maintain
Clear RelationshipsMatthew 5:23-24
Our assumption is that we will sin and offend one another. Our commitment is to maintain clear relationships by asking for forgiveness and seeking reconciliation when we sin against others.
Put the Success
of Others Above Your OwnPhilippians 2:3-4
John 13:14-15Let’s face it… we can all be selfish at times. Our aim is to become more like Jesus. He laid down his life for others. We know we won’t do this perfectly but our aim is to continually grow in thinking of the needs of others.
Submit to Leadership
Within Biblical Limits1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Hebrews 13:17This does not mean that we follow leaders blindly. We do want to work to make our leader’s jobs a joy and not a burden. One way to do this is by asking the question, “What can I do to make my leader successful?”
Support
River Community Church
Financially2 Corinthians 9:6-8
1 Timothy 5:17-18Most people get a little antsy when a church mentions money. Take a breath, there will be no arm twisting here. Your heart will always follow your investment. Supporting your church financially is how your heart for the church grows.
Give and Receive
Spiritual CorrectionMatthew 18:15, Hebrews 3:12-13
Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 4:15We all get off track from time to time. We have blindspots in our lives. God has given us friends in the church to gently help others get back on track and stay on track in their life with God.
River Ministry Partners
Qualification of Ministry Partners
- Philosophy – Alignment with River’s philosophy of ministry
- Theology – Alignment on River’s theology
- Personal Involvement – Several committed members of River personally involved with the ministry
- Duration of Time – River members involvement with the ministry over a long period of time.
If you have questions about one of these partners or need help getting connected, talk with Rodney rodney@rivercc.org
River M Care Team
Provide care and connection for families from River who are serving overseas.
Contact: Kevin Schwemmer maranathariver@gmail.com
Onelink International
Recruit, Train, and Send college students to unreached people groups overseas.
Contact: office@onefocuslink.com
CORE 520
Support for refugees and outreach to unreached people in Wichita.
Contact: Rodney rodney@rivercc.org
Heart of Kansas So. Baptist Association
Local association of churches that we cooperate with in Wichita for church planting and church health.
Contact: Glenn Davis glenn@hoksba.org
Embrace
Support, Counseling, and care for women considering abortion.
Contact: Patty Lewis plewis@embracewichita.org
Youth Horizons
Mentoring for at-risk boys and girls. Residential home for boys and opening soon a residential home for girls
Contact: Robert Garner robert.garner@youthhorizons.net
CAYM (Christian Association of Youth Mentors)
Training and establishing mentoring programs around the country.
Contact: Donnovan Karber donnovan@caym.org
Hope’s Gate
Outreach to women working in strip clubs in Wichita.
Contact: Jamie Proffer hopes.gate@yahoo.com
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Outreach and encouragement to College athletes and coaches. Keith works primarily with Friends University and WSU
Contact: Keith Townsend ktownsend@fca.org
Great Commission Baptist
Great Commission Baptists are a collection of like-minded churches working in cooperation with one another to impact the whole world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
International Mission Board
The international mission agency of the Great Commission Baptists.
North American Mission Board
Support missions, church planting, and disaster relief in North America.