Who We Are
We exist to introduce people to Jesus Christ and help them become fully devoted followers of him.
John Booko was pastor of First Baptist Church for 12 years before starting Three Rivers Christian Fellowship with his son, Paul. The church was started on July 6, 1975 as an Interdenominational Christian Church in a rented facility and with some borrowed equipment.
It was founded with a dream to be a church where honest relationships could be built with God and each other through the work of the Holy Spirit. In 1979, ten acres of land was purchased and a church building was constructed with an office and classroom addition added in 1987.
As the church grew in numbers and the vision for the community expanded, an exciting vision was birthed to purchase the old Three Rivers High School in the middle of town and renovate it into a ministry center that would impact SW Michigan. In the Spring of 2000, the church moved into its “new” campus and changed the name to Riverside Church.
Reach Up – Reach Around – Reach Out
What We Believe
1. The pursuit of total commitment to Jesus Christ and His cause should be normal for every believer.
Matthew 22:37-38; 1 Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 8:7
2. Prayer should permeate everything we do.
Matthew 21:13; Romans 12:12; Acts 6:4
3. Excellence (doing our best) honors God and inspires people.
Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14
4. The church should be culturally relevant without compromising God’s word.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
5. Lost people matter to God, therefore they should matter to us.
2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 22:39; Matthew 18:14; Luke 15
6. Children and youth should be a primary emphasis of our church.
Luke 9:48; Proverbs 22:6
7. Church leaders are to serve and equip the people to do the work of the ministry in their area of giftedness and passion.
Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10
8. The church should be outward focused. Serving the needs of our community and world.
Matthew 28:19; Matthew 25:35-40
9. Life change happens best in smaller groups where people are open and honest.
James 5:16; 1 John 1:7; Luke 6: 12-13
10. The church should be a united family that lives in love, authenticity, and service to each other.
1 Peter 3:8; John 13:35, Ephesians 4:2-3; 1 Corinthians 13
Quick Facts About Riverside
Riverside started in 1975 in a rented facility with some borrowed equipment.
In 2000, we moved to the Three Rivers High School and renovated it to perform the duties of a church.
We have a fully functional health clinic on grounds, providing care to members of the community who cannot afford it.
We have 10 core beliefs including serving Jesus by serving our community as well as allowing children to be a primary emphasis of our church.