.png)
As our Riverfront Family Church community continues to grow and thrive, it’s that special time of the year again! We are excited to announce our Annual Membership Covenant Renewal—a meaningful opportunity for current members to reaffirm their commitment to our church family. If you’re new or searching for a spiritual home, this is a fantastic time to join us on this journey.
The Heart of Membership
Membership at Riverfront Family Church is more than just a title; it’s a commitment to come together as believers, support one another, and actively engage in our mission of spreading love and hope. Our church is built on faith, community, and service. When you choose to be a member, you are making a choice to embody these values.
Being a member means more than just attending services; it’s about engaging deeply in the life of the church. Membership opens doors for personal growth, spiritual development, and various service opportunities. For instance, last year, 60% of our members participated in at least one community outreach program, helping over 150 local families in need.
A Committed Community
When you join us, you are part of a community that shares your values. You will find support, friendships, and opportunities to create positive change in the world around you. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or participating in faith-based discussions, your involvement makes a difference.
Why Renew Your Membership?
If you are already a member, renewing your covenant is a great way to reflect on your journey over the past year. It’s a chance to recommit to your spiritual growth and reconnect with your Riverfront Family. This annual renewal allows you to review how you’ve engaged with our church community and how you want to participate moving forward.
Moreover, renewing your membership provides you with valuable insights into our church's vision and goals for the coming year. Last year, 85% of renewing members reported feeling more connected and engaged after reflecting on their commitment.
A Moment to Reflect
Before proceeding with renewals, take a moment to think about your experiences at Riverfront Family Church. Ask yourself:
How have your faith and friendships deepened?
What new ministries or initiatives have you actively contributed to or participated in?
These reflections can guide you in expressing your renewed commitment.
New Members Welcome!
For those curious about joining our Riverfront Family, this is your moment! Whether you’re new to our community or looking for a place where you belong, we invite you to explore what membership means with us.
Joining Riverfront Family Church means becoming part of a loving, vibrant community that values diversity and welcomes everyone. Our new members bring unique perspectives and talents, enriching our congregation’s experiences and initiatives.
Celebrating Our Community
This year, as we gather to renew our covenants and welcome new members, we also take time to celebrate the vibrant community we have built together.
Our church thrives on the connections we foster. Whether through small groups, community service events, or social gatherings, each interaction strengthens our bonds. Recent surveys show that 88% of our members feel a strong sense of belonging within our church family, and every membership renewal reinforces our shared commitment while new members bring fresh inspiration and energy.
How to Participate
To renew your membership or join as a new member, please visit our website for more information. You will find resources and dates for upcoming meetings and renewals.
Consider inviting friends and family who might be looking for a spiritual home. More voices mean more joy and connection in our community!
Mark Your Calendars
Make sure to mark your calendars for the Covenant Renewal Ceremony! This celebration is a key event where we stand together as a community, honoring our commitments while warmly welcoming those joining us for the first time.
Embracing Our Journey Together
Membership at Riverfront Family Church is a journey rooted in faith, connection, and service. As we approach our Annual Membership Covenant Renewal, we encourage each of you to contemplate your place within our church family.
Are you ready to recommit, reaffirm, or become a new member? We are eager to welcome you with open arms! Let’s continue to grow, serve, and impact each other’s lives and our community positively.
Join us as we head into another beautiful year filled with worship, fellowship, and service. Here’s to renewing our commitment and joyfully welcoming newcomers!
- Pastor Ben
- Apr 24
Easter is a joyful celebration—the tomb is empty, and Jesus is risen. But after the excitement, we might find ourselves asking, "So what now?" At Riverfront Family Church, we're answering that question by choosing Radical Love.
Radical Love isn't just a nice sentiment. It’s a commitment to embody the kind of inclusive, sacrificial, unconditional love Jesus showed us. This means living out our faith practically, through hospitality, peace, and healing.
Radical Hospitality at Riverfront is about making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and valued—not as guests, but as family. It’s the kind of welcome that changes lives, like when a weary mom named Wanessa found comfort at our restaurant, Fire by Forge. After a tough day with her daughter hospitalized, the kindness of our staff transformed her evening. Hospitality is turning strangers into family, honoring every person’s story, and surprising them with how deeply they matter.
Peace for us means active peacemaking—working for justice and reconciliation in a wounded world. Our friends at COMPASS Youth Collaborative and Homeboy Industries model this beautifully, stepping bravely into moments of tension, offering hope and belonging. Real peace isn’t passive. It engages boldly, affirming that every life has value and every person deserves another chance.
Healing acknowledges we all carry wounds. At Riverfront, healing is a community effort—honest, messy, and transformative. Inspired by the spiritual depth of the 12-Step movement, we explore deeper ways to become fully alive and whole. Healing is about walking together, recognizing that our wounds are not the end of our stories.
Ten years from now, we dream of a community transformed by Radical Love—where diverse stories are celebrated, peace is actively built, and healing is continuously pursued. A place where everyone truly belongs.
Because resurrection isn't just an Easter story. It’s our daily practice. It’s how we love, heal, and make peace.
So, what now? Let’s keep loving, rising, and becoming the resurrection people we're called to be—today, and every day.
- Pastor Ben
- Jun 17, 2024
The Significance of Juneteenth: A Lesson in Freedom and the Gospel
As we approach Juneteenth, it is important for us to pause and reflect on the profound significance of this day, not only as a historical milestone but also as a powerful lesson in our faith. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the difference between "having been made free" and "living in freedom"—a concept that resonates deeply with our understanding of the Gospel.
Historical Reality and Theological Truths
For those in Galveston, freedom was granted long before it was realized. They were legally free, but continued to live in bondage because the message of their liberation had not reached them. This gap between emancipation and the experience of freedom highlights a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. Theologically, we know that Christ has set us free: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Yet, many of us struggle to live in that freedom, burdened by old chains of sin, guilt, or fear.
Paul’s words in Galatians 5:1-2 remind us of our spiritual emancipation: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.” This scripture calls us to embrace our freedom fully and to reject anything that binds us again to a state of spiritual slavery.
The Gospel calls us to embrace the radical freedom that Christ offers. It is a freedom not just from sin, but also a freedom to live fully in the grace and love of God. Just as the newly freed people of Galveston had to learn to live in their newfound freedom, we too must learn to live as people who are truly free—free to love, free to serve, and free to include all in the embrace of Christ.
The Radical Nature of the Gospel
The message of the Gospel is inherently radical. It breaks down barriers, upends societal norms, and invites us into a community where grace and inclusion are paramount. Jesus’ ministry was marked by reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the outcasts. His grace knows no bounds and His inclusion extends to all. As stated in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Juneteenth is a call to action for us as followers of Christ. It challenges us to reflect on how we can better embody the radical nature of the Gospel in our own lives and communities. How can we ensure that all people not only hear about the freedom Christ offers but also experience it in their daily lives?
Getting Involved and Supporting Change
We can continue to support the dismantling of racism and white supremacy in several ways:
Support Black-Owned Businesses: Make a conscious effort to patronize Black-owned businesses in your community.
Educate Yourself and Others: Read books, watch documentaries, and engage in conversations about race and justice.
Advocate for Change: Get involved in local and national advocacy efforts aimed at promoting racial equity.
Conclusion
Juneteenth is more than a historical event; it is a powerful reminder of the freedom we have been given and the freedom we are called to live. As we commemorate this day, let us recommit ourselves to the radical message of the Gospel—a message of grace, inclusion, and liberation for all. Together, let us work towards a world where everyone can experience the fullness of the freedom Christ offers.
