OUR SETTING
Rivergate Church - Backyard
Rivergate is located on about 26 acres of beautiful country space. A large home (The Healing House) fronts the property. To the right is an attached three-car garage converted into a game room with the back half of that being the Rivergate offices.
We’ve started construction on our sanctuary, or ‘Most Holy Place’ as we refer to it, awaiting completion as God provides.
You’ll see a large outdoor baptismal/swimming pool; lots of covered porch areas for conversation, reflection, and prayer; deck seating spaces; a medium-sized playground (with a rock wall and ship-themed playhouse), and open grassy areas with a pond for recreation.
If you like walks through the woods, or playing disc golf, we have large pathways carved throughout our undeveloped acreage. Watch out for critters and wild plant life! The Cross marks that trailhead, where you can cross the bridge for a prayer walk. Be sure to fill out this form before your visit, especially if you’ll be in that back acreage or the pool. And watch for prayer warriors when you throw your disc!
Scroll down for our Relocation Journey, which talks about how we came to be at this location.
OUR FORMAT
On Sundays, folks arrive starting at 9:30AM. The Kingdom is relational and people need to connect. In addition to Grow Groups, we encourage Sunday morning fellowship, swapping stories, and caring for one another over coffee.
At 10 AM, the kitchen closes and we gather in the Dining Room for worship, prayer, and communion, including kids. God’s been going deep with us on what it really means to “worship” Him - the spirit and truth of it. We enter His gates with thanksgiving, turn our hearts toward adoring Him, and finish by praying and declaring His will to be done “on earth as it is in Heaven.” We seal our time by sharing communion “in His remembrance.”
Around 11 AM, we share ministry and property updates and then provide a teaching or a word of encouragement, followed by small group discussion and prayer. When we're engaging a shared Bible reading campaign (we love the Immerse Bibles!), we may even jump straight into our discussion groups after announcements. The Nursery opens for children 0-5 years. Children 6 and up stay with their parents as we discuss our weekly topic. This small group format empowers every person to engage with the Word on their own, and then give and receive revelation, support, encouragement, and accountability with others in the community. This helps folks turn “knowing” into “becoming.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
“Why does the service last two hours?” fellowship time is a completely optional, so our scheduled service is really no longer than any other churches.
Modern American culture is, in ways, both awesome and counter-Kingdom. Most Americans are way too busy. Rushing through our God encounters and not getting to know the people we share eternity with is not healthy. Our format brings Heaven’s pace back into the modern American church.
Many typical church service formats are designed for a “sit, listen, leave” experience. We’re not judging anyone for following God’s leading in how to conduct their gatherings, but we have answered a call to do something different. We’re building a slowed-down, deeply-formed, and highly relational spiritual community.
Because things move and change throughout our Sunday Celebration, the time seems to fly by. We actually have many people who bring bag lunches with them and stay on the property - even longer (they’re so hard core) - throughout the afternoon, chatting, praying, studying, etc.
You are always free to leave, whenever you like. And with so many naturally occurring breaks, you won’t draw attention to your exit. Seriously, it’s okay.
“What programs do you have for kids?” We get it! Your kids are priceless and you want to be sure they’re getting the most out of their Jesus community experience. Here are some thoughts:
First, our gatherings are kid-friendly! We understand this will make for some extra noise and chatter, but your kids are worth it. They aren’t a distraction - they’re a blessing!
Overuse of the “separating age groups” technique (generational compartmentalization) is hurting our kids’ psychological development and working against the quality of our family relationships. To help with this, families stay together during the RG discussion time. But wait - there’s more!
During our discussion time, families with children will meet together to discuss the topic and engage children on their level.
“This discussion thing is kind of different.” We understand - totally. If you’re more reserved, those conversations with strangers can be tough. Here are some options that can help with that:
ORIENTATION CHAT: This happens during the discussion time and is where you can ask questions about Rivergate and hear more about why we do what we do. If you’d like to have this chat, find one of Rivergate’s leaders.
PERSONAL GROUP: If you’ve come with your family/friends, feel free to circle up as your own group and discuss however/whatever you feel led.
NAME DROP: Join a group, tell them you are new.
OUR RELOCATION JOURNEY
September 2023
Our Most Holy Place has walls and a roof! Progress continues!
SEPTEMBER 2022
The steel frame of the Most Holy Place is assembled and expected to be a functioning pavilion by early 2023.
August 2021
We break ground for the construction of our “Most Holy Place’ (sanctuary). With prayer and worship, we prepare for the new construction. The foundation is laid in October 2021 and construction begins in early 2022.
We have closed on our new property (5422 Cole Lane in College Station) and are in hot pursuit of the “new era!” Thanks to everyone who stuck around on Sunday to help us prepare for our Yard Sale (February 5&6). The major relocation-related events for this month are:
FEBRUARY 5&6: YARD SALE — we’re getting rid of unneeded items and preparing to outfit our new space.
FEBRUARY 14: “Stones of Remembrance”— a special Sunday Celebration. We honor the past as we move forward into our future. This is our last event at the Villa Maria location. After this, we’re just moving stuff and cleaning up. Wow!
FEBRUARY 21&28: “Open House” at our new location! We explore, dream, chat, ask questions, and pray over our new home.
MARCH 7: Our first Sunday with the new Celebration schedule:
9AM - Connect with the RG family over coffee, donuts, and kolaches.
10AM - Dig into the word together.
10:45AM - Special Announcements and Worship through Giving.
11AM - We engage the special Presence of God through Worship and Prayer.
february 2021
Things are getting real, folks! We have closed on the sale of our Villa Maria property (January 20th). We’ve also got a contract for a property located almost directly on the border of Bryan and College Station and just off of Booneville Road. Inspections are complete and, if this also goes as planned, we close on January 26th. (Crazy, right?!?!)
As part of our Relocation Plan, we’ve contracted an independent Project Manager to help with inventory and moving logistics. He gets to work the first week of January, so be ready for emails and announcements calling “all hands on deck” for clean up, organization, and asset liquidation efforts (selling stuff we don’t need). Don Montgomery is our Point Person for the Relocation Project. Feel free to direct your questions and offers of help toward him.
We’ll have a Yard Sale toward the end of the month to convert many of those unneeded items into much needed cash. If you’ve got things around the house you’re willing to donate to the cause, bring them by:
Tuesday through Thursday 10AM to 3PM, or
Come a little early on a Sunday and bring them to the Fellowship Hall.
These are exciting times and, as always - keep praying!
JANUARY 2021
On December 21st, our 60-Day Feasibility Period ended and our contract with Blinn College for the purchase of our Villa Maria properties is now being scheduled for a closing date. We’ve also been researching dozens of potential properties and have gone on site to visit five. Although there are a few out there that fit our needs, one has caught our particular attention and we’ve contacted the seller. A Relocation Team has been assembled and a Relocation Project Manager is going to be contracted to coordinate logitstics and help us make the transition. It’s getting real, folks - keep praying!
DECEMBER 2020
NOVEMBER 2020
Introducing Rivergate Life 3.0
In addition to the “new era” direction we received through the Rivergate Life 3.0, we continued to search for and visit a number of properties over the month of November. Our search focused on listings which would facilitate the atmosphere and functionality that Rivergate Life 3.0 describes.
We also called together a relocation team and have begun looking into outside Project Management Services. That would help us during this transition by providing qualified, specific expertise, as well as allowing our staff to stay focused on matters more directly related to ministry.
Keep praying, folks! These are wild, exciting times!
October 2020
On October 19th, a contract was signed, which began the ticking of a 60-day feasibility study clock. When that is concluded to the buyer’s satisfaction, we’ll schedule a closing date. Keep praying that things go smoothly. This sale/purchase is a blessing for both Rivergate and Blinn, and we’d like to continue moving forward with other relocation plans. Shout out to Sherlock Realtors for their excellent help with all of this!
SEPTEMBER 2020
Our August conversations have resulted in an exchange of offers and counter offers with Blinn College. We’ve had a wonderful relationship with Blinn for decades and are excited for how this could benefit us both. I hope y’all are praying!
JULY 2020
We opened up dialogue through some “casual interest conversations.” We approached specific parties that we believe may have interest in purchasing our properties (RG owns four adjacent lots on East Villa Maria Road).
APRIL 2020
The coronovirus pandemic (purposely NOT capitalized) has had a tremendous impact on life as a whole, with specific effects for the Church. While following Holy Spirit’s lead in all areas, we also leaned in specifically to hear the Father’s voice on how this might impact property sales and relocation. We felt a confident “Stay the Course” word from the Lord. Our present location neither reflects/supports our current, nor future needs. God was aware of this before corona-mode and His leading hasn’t changed. So, we’re moving forward.
JANUARY 2020
Being able to accommodate growth was another consideration. Our research showed that adequate facilities and parking would not be achieved at this location. The final decision to relocate was made, and after healthy discussion, we believe that an interim lease option is in our best interest.
APRIL 2018
The Elders and Board began considering whether or not the current property and facilities on East Villa Maria were able to support current and future ministry plans. We would engage about a year and a half of prayer, research, discussion and deliberation, but in the end it was clear that our current location was not what the Father had for our future. Here what that hourney looked like:
We prayed! Yes - for real. Moments and hours and for different aspects of the journey.
Prophetic words, visions, and dreams. We are a prophetic bunch! God has given us clear and confirmed direction many times. By checking through our record of dreams, visions, and prophetic words, we felt confident that a move was not in conflict with God’s promises or purposes for Rivergate. On the contrary, it began to take shape as His direction for us.
Current minstry needs were assessed and we realized that Rivergate was in need of classroom spaces for our kids and adults. In addition, Rivergate hosts a number of inner healing and counseling ministries, which require intimate, well-appointed spaces. For example, Freedom Prayer is a staple in the Rivergate community, and multiple sessions are held throughout the week.
We studied three expansion options:
a building project at our current location,
purchasing land elsewhere and building something new, or
seeking an interim lease option.