Est. 2019
RIVER CITY CHURCH
River City Church exists because we want to see people in our own communities experience the same healing, forgiveness and grace that we’ve found in Jesus Christ. Jesus welcomed the outcast, the lonely and the disheartened because he had a message of hope and grace for lives racked by sin. That message is called the gospel, and it’s good news for anyone who will believe it.
Theme Verse
We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
Vision
Our vision is that one day every man, woman, and child in Riverside and the surrounding communities would have a gospel-centered interaction on a daily basis.
Meet
THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Rodney + Jodi Gehman
LEAD EQUIPPER / TEACHING
Rodney and Jodi were married in 2001 in the backyard of the home Jodi grew up in. They fell in love over ping-pong and volleyball games at a small Bible College in Ohio.
After 13 years as successful wedding/portrait photographers, and raising four beautiful children, Rodney & Jodi felt the call to vocational ministry.
In addition to his roles as pastor, Rodney also roasts the coffee for our Sunday morning gatherings. Jodi serves with the worship team, children’s ministry, and anything else that needs done!
Nate + Janene King
COMMUNITY GROUPS / BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Nate (an East Coast boy) & Janene (a Midwest gal) met on a blind date, and the rest, as they say, is history.
They enjoy checking out new coffee shops, traveling and hosting a good party in their back yard.
They are natural-born entrepreneurs, and when they are not doing River City things, they each run their own businesses.
Nate’s passion is for healthy Community Groups and seeing people connected in real relationships, while Janene oversees HR and together they lead the Financial Review Committee for River City. Janene also gives vision to Women’s Ministry.
Toby + Erin Thompson
BIBLICAL COUNSELING
Toby and Erin met at a Kenny Chesney concert in 2004, and God graced them both with salvation soon after. They married in 2005, and since have expanded their family with two great sons, Elijah and Levi.
Besides participating in various ways during River City’s gathered worship, Toby and Erin’s passion is Biblical Counseling, which has led Toby to become certified through ACBC. Erin frequently co-counsels with married couples as an extra set of eyes and ears to offer insight in the counseling setting. Toby tends to the soul care of the men’s leadership team and also is working towards developing a robust counseling ministry at River City.
Steve + Kiff Hall
FAMILY MINISTRIES
Steve & Kiff were born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and married in July of 1993.
After spending 12 years as missionaries in the southwest – Four of those years in Mexico, and eight in El Paso, Texas – they moved to the small but unique midwest town of Kalona, Iowa where they raised three wonderful children.
Steve helps oversee KidCity and Men’s Ministry, and Kiff can be found helping organize our women’s connecting events.
FAQ
Statement
OF FAITH
Valuing
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
In the creation account found in Genesis 1 and 2, God says that it’s not good for people to be alone. We feel the same could be said about churches, that it’s not good for them to exist on their own or be isolated. We have taken intentional steps to ensure strategic partnerships with other churches both locally and around the country as we work to advance the gospel. We are not associated with any denominations, but are linked with a national church planting network called Harbor Network.
GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH
River City was born out of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church with two locations in Eastern Iowa. Their primary campus is in North Liberty, IA with a second campus in Downtown Iowa City.
VISIT WEBSITE PODCASTTHE GOSPEL COALITION
Through multimedia content, events, books, and international outreach, TGC seeks to communicate both the costly call (Matt. 16:24) and the comforting consolation of Christ (Matt. 11:29-30), whose gospel presents both a countercultural challenge and an audacious invitation to any who would hear it. River City pastors are part of the Iowa City chapter of TGC.
VISIT WEBSITE PODCASTHARBOR NETWORK
A harbor is a sheltered body of water that provides a place of safety and supply for ships and their crews to prepare them to return to the open water. This metaphor aptly describes who we are and what we do. In Harbor Network, we aim to cultivate safe places for church leaders to find rest and renewal, to find our bearings and refuel for the journey ahead. And built on that safety, we return to the mission stronger as we launch more churches. Together, we pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ will renew people and places as we launch, lead, and multiply thriving churches.