7
"Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19
On August 19, we'll reach 7 years since our first public Sunday worship gathering as a local church fellowship.
On Sunday afternoon, August 19, 2018, the people of River Community Church assembled like the avengers to see God do "a new thing" except we were Gospel avengers for Jesus. It's cheesy, I know, but that's how it felt to me. We were a part of a "new thing" God was doing in the spiritual (and literal) desert of Salt Lake, and it was exciting.
We had support from churches like Redemption Hill in Eagle Mountain, Utah, and Risen Life in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as Jordan Valley Church in West Jordan, where we held that first gathering. Every church should be so blessed to start with the loving support of other local churches and enthusiastic team members as we did.
Over the past 7 years, we've experienced a very unexpected journey of ups and downs with twists and turns. We went from meeting in other churches, to getting displaced through 2020, pivoting into parks, "chocolate houses" and community centers, and finally landing in our own leased space in South Jordan, where we've been for 2 1/2 years. Not how or where I expected, but it's right where God put us. And we've seen an amazing assembling of people from all over the Salt Lake Valley and beyond because of it. We'll be in our current location through March 30, 2026 (which is it's own miracle story) and our search for a new place continues. God will provide.
When River started, we had a simple mission statement: "Multiply God's Kingdom One Heart at a Time." We borrowed it from the Great Commission Jesus gives to every Christian (and every Christian church) to see God's kingdom grow through making disciples, baptizing disciples, teaching disciples about Jesus, and sending disciples to repeat the process. (Matthew 28:18-20)
We have attempted to stay focused on the one; each individual person God puts in our path, who He loves, who Jesus died for, and who has an invitation to join His family. We seek to share the Gospel with each person, encourage each person to find life and purpose in trusting Jesus, and to become a thriving disciple who grows in God's Word, simply following Jesus day by day.
As we celebrate our 7th year as a local church, I see it as a continuation of God's work through His church since Jesus launched it 2,000 years ago. I really do love milestones like an annual birthday, yet I am more excited that our 7 years is a small part of God big work in the world for multiple millennia. As River Community Church, we're just a drop in the ocean of God's big story, but God has given us a very gracious gift to be one grace-filled expression of His Church in this world.
So, we embark on another year. And we will seek to keep growing and multiplying God's Kingdom one heart at a time as before, helping as many people as possible become thriving followers of Jesus whose lives overflow with faith, hope, and love towards God and the people around us.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, giving, and partnership in the life and ministry of River Community Church. I am excited about what God has next for us.
With gratitude to our God for all that He has done!
Keith Radke, pastor
River Community Church
South Jordan, Utah, and beyond!
www.RiverUtah.church
PS: We're baptizing a few people this coming Sunday, August 17. If you'd like to be baptized too, sign-up here >
PPS: We're having a fully loaded community day Saturday, August 16. See what we're up to here >
PPPS: Here's a gift to you to help you grow as followers of Jesus. Enjoy!
Email Originally Sent August 16, 2025