What we believe, in plain words
We're a nondenominational church in the evangelical tradition. We hold to the Apostles' Creed, and we would rather you ask a hard question than nod along.
God is real, and good.
One God who made everything and is still at work in it: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the center.
Fully God and fully human. He lived the life we couldn't, died for the wrong we've done, and rose again. Because of him anyone can come home to God.
Grace, not a ladder.
You can't earn your way to God and you don't have to. It's a gift you receive by trusting Jesus.
The Bible is worth trusting.
We read it as God's word, take it seriously, and keep asking honest questions of it.
Church is a family, not a building.
People who follow Jesus together, in a living room as much as on a Sunday.
Two things we do together.
Baptism, in the Boise River every August, and communion on the first Sunday of each month, open to anyone who follows Jesus.
What you won't hear
We don't endorse candidates or parties, from the stage, in our groups or online. People who vote very differently sit next to each other here every Sunday, and we want it to stay that way.
You also won't be asked to give, join or sign anything on your first Sunday.
Who leads Riverbend
Five elders, elected by members for three-year terms, oversee the church and set the pastors' pay: Dale Iverson, Grace Kim, Pete Larsen, Monica Shaw, Tom Ferreira.
Ben Alder
Lead pastor
M.Div., Regent College. At Riverbend since it started in 2014. Rides the Greenbelt to work most days.
[email protected]Ruth Okafor
Pastor of care and groups
M.A. in counseling, Northwest University. Leads the grief group and trains every group host.
[email protected]Carmen Vidal
Kids director
Taught second grade for eleven years. Runs check-in, volunteer screening and every kids' room.
[email protected]Josh Tran
Students and worship
Leads Riverbend Students on Wednesdays and the band on Sundays.
[email protected]Linda Hayes
Operations and finance
CPA. Keeps the books, the building and the giving statements in order.
[email protected]Maria Quintero
Guest team lead
Trains the greeters and meets most 11 AM guests at the north door herself.
[email protected]
Want to talk it through?
Pastor Ben and Pastor Ruth keep Tuesday mornings open for coffee with anyone who has questions about faith, Riverbend or both. No agenda.
Text to set a time