Who we are

Mission

Our mission at Riverwood is simple: Connect, Grow, Reach. We seek to connect with God and with others, grow in Christ, and reach the lost and the hurting.

Vision

Our vision is to see lives transformed by hope in Christ.

Core Values

Riverwood holds six values to be of utmost importance. We are and hold to:

Christ Centered: Jesus Christ is the originator, the director, and the goal of all the ministries of Riverwood (Romans 11:36).
Biblically Rooted: We base our ministries on the teachings of God's Word, and we direct people to read and trust the Scriptures as the only solid basis for living (Matthew 7:24-25).
Spirit Led: We fully rely on the work of the Holy Spirit to lead the ministries of the church (Romans 11:36).
Grace Filled: We have been forgiven and loved by God; we offer this same measure of grace to others (1 Peter 4:8).
Impactful Outreach: We strive to impact our local community first, and then to extend our reach beyond our church and community to other places and people groups (Acts 1:8)
Transformational Growth: We believe that our walk with God is a deepening experience requiring intentionality and yieldedness to God (2 Peter 3:18).

Key Verse

Our key verse at Riverwood is Galatians 5:6: "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

Denomination

Riverwood is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination. The Covenant seeks to engage more people in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, across more populations, in a more caring and just world to make more disciples. To find out more about the Covenant, visit www.covchurch.org.

History

Riverwood began as a church plant from Plymouth Covenant Church in 1999-2000. Frank Riley was the first pastor. Pastor Brian Johnson was called in 2000, and the church was officially chartered in 2002. Pastor Keith Robinson was called to Riverwood in 2004 and is the current Senior Pastor. In 2009, Riverwood launched RiverWorks, a community development organization that exists to support the Rockford community. In 2012, after many years of meeting in schools and other spaces, Riverwood "Marched Forth" on March 4th into their new building, where the church currently meets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at office@riverwoodcovenant.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is the worship service like at Riverwood?

Our worship services are casual and family-friendly. Dress however is most comfortable for you. When you arrive, you will be greeted by a friendly face from our Welcome Team. Stop by our coffee shop for a complimentary cup of Caribou coffee. We also have smoothies and specialty hot drinks for sale. Coffee IS allowed in the sanctuary!
Worship is led with a full band. The style is contemporary, with some older hymns and songs mixed in. Children are invited to worship with their families, then are dismissed to Sunday School before the sermon.
At the conclusion of the service, friends are stationed at the front of the sanctuary for individual prayer.

Do you have communion as part of your service?

We normally have communion on the second Sunday of even-numbered months (subject to change). Everyone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior is welcome to celebrate communion. Our communion elements are gluten free.

What will my kids be learning in Sunday School?

Our Children's Ministry staff and volunteers use Orange curriculum to teach basic truths about Jesus and how He is reflected in their daily lives. Visit thinkorange.com for more information.

I would like to get baptized. How can I do that?

Visit our Baptism page for more information about baptism in the Evangelical Covenant Church. Fill out the baptism/dedication request form and you will be contacted by our staff with more information.

What does it mean to be a member at Riverwood? How can I become a member?

We ask our members to Give, Attend, Pray, and Serve at Riverwood (GAPS). Members have a full voice in the decisions of the church, and they can expect to be loved, supported, and prayed for by the church family. If you would like to become a member, visit our membership page and fill out the membership application. You will be invited to the next membership class, then meet with members of the board for a brief faith testimony. Membership at Riverwood is renewed each year at the Annual Meeting in September.

How can I get more involved at Riverwood?

There are lots of ways you can get plugged in! Fill out a Connect Card to begin receiving the weekly email newsletter with all of our upcoming events and info. Visit our Serving page to learn about the different areas you can serve at Riverwood. Our Serve Team is available every other month on a Sunday morning to answer questions and get you signed up to serve where you feel led.