Welcome to Riverside Assembly of God
in Rockford, IL.

Our heart and vision are based on the following Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40

35Then one of them a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38"This is the first and great commandment. 39"And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

The first and greatest commandment God gives us is to love. Jesus calls us to love Him with all of our heart. From love springs loving behavior, obedience to God, and obedience to God's Word. When we make love a top priority in what we do and how we do it, it changes things. It changes us.

The second commandment He gives, is for us to love one another. He wants us to treat each other as brothers and sisters (1 Timothy 5:1, 2). He says that it is by love that others will know that we are His followers (John 13:35). He calls us to love others, the way He loves us. His love is a perfect love. It does not fade over time. It is a love that is not self-seeking, envious, or easily angered. His love is one that rejoices with the truth, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (1 Corinthians 13). And it is with this great love that we here at Riverside Assembly strive to love all who come through our doors, as well as those in our surrounding community.

We live in a world that has been fractured by sin. A world that runs at such a dizzying pace that it has lost its sense of community. Though we are not perfect, we hope that you will always feel welcomed and loved at Riverside Assembly. If you are looking for a church, we hope that Riverside Assembly will feel like home.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to interest others in Jesus Christ and to live together as a growing community of people who are worshipping God and joyfully serving Him, one another, and our world.

Our Vision

We at Riverside envision a church solidly founded on the love of God, which frees us to love one another. A place where all can find acceptance, forgiveness, hope, and healing.

We envision a people who are committed to growing in their relationship with Jesus, enthusiastic in their walk with God, and joyfully sharing Christ with others.

We envision worship services where the Holy Spirit will lead us into the presence of God and where God's Word will be clearly proclaimed. These will be times where honest and transparency are promoted and where all can experience compassion, receive encouragement, find inspiration, and freely praise God.

We envision a fellowship of believers where each member finds purpose through the discovery and the development of their spiritual gifts. A place where they will then be given opportunity to explore and find the joy of linking their gifts and interests in service to God and His church.

We envision an organizational structure that fosters good communication, enable leaders to lead and provides for the discovery and development of future leaders. A structure that provides boundaries (for direction), accountability (for safety), authority (for action), and appreciation (for confidence) so that the priesthood of all believers might by realized.

We envision small groups that minister to the whole person through loving relationships, accountability, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship activities.

We envision a church family that demonstrates the love of God by its actions. A people who are building relationships and meeting needs both within and without the congregation, while sharing their faith in Christ at every opportunity.

We envision facilities that will better enable us to offer dynamic, relevant, and varied ministries for all ages including appropriate community related functions.

We envision numerical and spiritual growth, as evidence to the life changing power of God and the loving influence of dedicated Christians in the lives of saints and sinners alike.

We envision God using us to equip and send those called to take the Gospel to other places in our world, especially those He would call from among us.

We envision that God's help and blessing this dream will become reality and will bring glory and honor to His Name.