The River – Our History

2012 – The River started the first Sunday of April at the Springhill Marriott in Thatcher with 6 people. We stayed there for two months. In June of that year, we rented a storefront building on 5th Avenue, across from the Post Office.

2013 – The church was growing. Over a hundred people were now coming. In October of that year, the property of First Christian Church on Highway 191 was given to us.

2014 – Still at the building on 5th Avenue while we built on to the property on US 191, the church continued to grow. Close to 200 people would squeeze into that small building. In November of that year, we finished construction (debt-free) and moved to the new property (where we remain).

2015 – The church experienced another wave of growth in their new location. Several hundred people were now calling The River their home church.

2016 – After moving to the US 191 location in 2014, the church kept the old building in the front to use for kids’ classes. In 2016 we tore it down and built the building (debt-free) that houses our Café, offices, Nursery and Pre-school rooms. Due to growth, the church also added a second Sunday morning worship service at 8:30. Pastor David earned his Doctor of Ministry degree.

2017 – The church added a third weekend worship service on Saturday nights. Saturday Ignite was born. The church launched a mobile app. Greater emphasis was placed on our Livestream, where thousands were being reached each month.

2018 – TRU School of the Ministry was launched to educate God’s people with the Word of God and train them for ministry.

2019 – Another building project! The church added space (debt-free) to the sanctuary building to accommodate current and future growth. In January, Maria Kouts was ordained as an Associate Pastor; In May, Eddie Gonzalez was ordained as a second Associate Pastor.

2020 – The year of the pandemic! The River never missed an in-person Sunday. We held services outdoors in April, including our Easter celebration. After April, we moved back indoors.

2021 – The church built back up its in-person attendance post-pandemic. Pastor David wrote his 20th book since The River started. A building project is underway for a multi-purpose building to house our recovery ministry and classrooms for kids and TRU. Kirk Gray joined the staff as Business Administrator.

2022 – The story is still being written…