Our Story
We are a church full of imperfect people who follow Jesus, look out for each other, and believe the best is still ahead. We have been at it since the 1950s, now meeting in Chandler, AZ.
How This All Started
Riverside Church was founded in the 1950s in Phoenix, Arizona, taking its name from Riverside Street where it first planted roots and began its mission in the Valley. What began as a small gathering of faithful believers grew into a thriving, multigenerational community that has impacted the greater Phoenix area for over 70 years. Through decades of growth and change, Riverside has remained a consistent and faithful presence where people of all ages have found belonging, purpose, and a home in the body of Christ.
Over the years, hundreds of people have come to know the Lord through the ministry of Riverside Church, and that legacy continues to grow. We have since relocated and are currently meeting in Chandler, Arizona, bringing the same heart for community and commitment to life change to a new corner of the Valley. We are a multigenerational church where grandparents worship alongside grandchildren and long-time members walk beside those brand new to faith.
Where We Stand
We believe the Bible is God's Word, inspired, trustworthy, and the final authority on how we live and what we teach. Every sermon, every decision, and every belief at Riverside comes back to Scripture. All of it is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
We believe in one God who has always existed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He made everything, holds everything together, and is holy, loving, and completely in control. He is not distant. He knows you by name and wants a relationship with you.
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived without sin, died on the cross to pay for our sins, rose from the dead three days later, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. He is alive, and He changes everything.
We believe the Holy Spirit is God, living inside every person who puts their faith in Jesus. The Spirit opens our eyes to sin, gives us new life, and empowers us to actually live the way God calls us to. He also gives every believer spiritual gifts to serve the church and advance God's Kingdom.
We believe salvation is a gift, not something you earn. Every person has sinned and needs a Savior. By turning from sin and trusting in Jesus, and Jesus alone, anyone can be forgiven, made brand new, and receive eternal life. And once God saves you, He keeps you. You cannot lose it.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, every person across the world who has put their faith in Him. The local church exists to worship God, grow believers, and share the Gospel with everyone who will listen. Every Christian is called to be part of a local church, serving and growing alongside other believers.
We believe Jesus is coming back, physically, personally. Every person will spend eternity somewhere: with God in heaven or separated from Him. That is not a scare tactic. It is what the Bible teaches, and it is the reason we are so serious about telling everyone we can about the hope found in Jesus.
The People Behind This Place
What We Care About Most
Be Real
Nobody here pretends to have it all together. You can be honest about your struggles, ask hard questions, and grow at your own pace. God meets you where you are, not where you think you should be.
Give Freely
We give our time, our money, and our energy because everything we have came from God in the first place. Generosity changes us, and it changes Chandler.
Do Life Together
You were not meant to go through life alone. We build real friendships through groups, shared meals, and just showing up for each other on the normal days, not only the hard ones.
Look Outward
This church is not just for us. We serve our neighbors in Chandler, support partners around the world, and look for every chance to share the hope of Jesus with anyone who will listen.
The Best Way to Know Us Is to Join Us
Reading about a church only gets you so far. Come this Sunday, sit anywhere you want, and see what Riverside is really like. We meet at 10:15 AM at Conley Elementary in Chandler.