GOD WANTS TO DO GREAT THINGS THROUGH YOU!

ABOUT US

The River is a community of believers. What does that mean, the word community? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers. 

 

The River strives to be a church that goes the distance. Jesus calls for us to go outside of our comfort zone to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. The River makes an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our city changed.

 

The River highly values our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Together we are on a mission to see the Mid Ohio Valley transformed by the power of the Gospel. We are unapologetic about what the Word of God says and we're compelled by love to preach the Gospel to all creation.

OUR VISION

We strive to be a church that fulfills the Great Commission and to see the lost and the hurting become part of the family of God. We believe that the church doesn't exist to simply have "good" services. But to effect change in the region that it is paced in.

OUR VALUES

We highly value the moving of the Holy Spirit and our relationships with one another. The greatest commandment Jesus gave us can be summed up as "Love God, Love People', And we stand by this. We desire to honor God with our obedience to it.

OUR HISTORY

SMALL BEGINNINGS

  1. Founded in 2017 by Pastors Deane and Becky Wagner, with the leading of the Lord and guidance from Pastor Deane's Pastor, Jeff John of White Horse Christian Center
  2. Pastor Deane pastors our local church bodies in Waterford and Marietta, Ohio, while working across the globe with church leaders in multiple nations
  3. The River works with multiple charities and organizations to care for our local region and the greater Mid Ohio Valley
  4. In 2022, The River launched it's Marietta Outreach that takes place at the Betsey Mills Club and meets every Thursday at 7pm
  5. The River runs a hybrid service which means not only does it take place live, but it is also streamed on multiple platforms to reach the world with the Gospel

OUR STAFF

Deane & Becky Wagner

Senior Pastors

Pastor Deane and Becky founded The River in 2017. They have a true heart for the lost of Waterford, Beverly, Marieeta and the Mid Ohio Valley. They desire to see true change in this area and will not stop until that dream is fulfilled.

Johnathan Wagner

Pastoral Staff: Media Director and Youth Pastor

Johnathan leads our media department with the help of Ryan Weekley to help reach the lost through social media. His disire is to see this region return to it's Christian roots and to see a revival not just in the church, but in the homes as well.

Ryan & Sarah Weekley

Pastoral Staff: Media Co-Director and Children's Ministry Director

Ryan and Sarah lead our Childrens Ministry and Media Department. Their heart for the kids is truly amazing and they desire to see the gospel of Jesus Christ preached across the world with media.

Jason & Teresa Taylor

Pastoral Staff: Pre-Teen Ministries and Outreach Directors

Jason and Teresa are our Pre-Teen Ministry Directors as well as our Outreach Directors. Their love for the kids and the community is evident in how they serve and they have been able to take The River Outreach to new levels with their vision of reaching the community.

HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS