The vision for outreach focused, home based, groups was initially given to Pastor Jon sometime in 2005.  Since then, the Lord has given a fuller picture of what this is to look like.  Traditional small groups have fulfilled and served a number of needs within the body of Christ, but many have failed to capture or encourage, in a meaningful way, the need for reaching the lost.  Many times small groups have been started with believers and have grown in size by adding other church-based Christians, with little or no new believers.  These groups tend to be inward focused and result in stagnation over time.  A missing element in having a healthy and successful home based, small group is making the Great Commission a high priority. 

 

At the River, we believe that the establishment of small groups must have evangelism as a heart focus.  In some of Jesus' last words, He compelled His followers to go into all the world, make disciples of Christ, and that signs and wonders would follow.  The Lord directed us to prepare and launch LIFE Groups.  He desires that Leaders would be raised up to Impact the world as we Fellowship with Him and each other to Evangelize the lost.