The mission of RIVER CHURCH ELGIN is to reach, teach, and equip people to transform lives and impact communities for Christ.
Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:11-13
The vision of RIVER CHURCH ELGIN is to passionately share the love of Jesus, provide sound biblical teaching, and empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to make a difference in their lives and communities for the glory of God. Through genuine relationships, discipleship, worship, and service, we aim to be a lantern of hope and transformation, reflecting the transformative power of Christ in all that we do.
Acts 2:42-47, Romans 1:16-17, Romans 12:2,
2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Matthew 5:16
We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, living, eternally reliable Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscripts, and our primary and authoritative source of revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason. Therefore, the Bible is our final authority for faith and practice and is necessary for our daily lives as it continually points us toward the person of Jesus. [2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12]
We believe in one God, revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. [Romans 1:20] These three are co-eternal, equally transcendent over time, and free from the constraints of past and future.
God the Father – The Creator of all things, both visible and invisible. [Colossians 1:15-16] He is eternal, unchanging, and the source of all life. [Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 102:27; 1 Timothy 1:17]
Jesus Christ, the Son – God’s only begotten Son, who came into the world to reveal the Father. He is the brightness of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. As the Creator of all things, through Him all things were made. In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form, being both fully God and fully man. [John 1:1-2, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Acts 7:37-38] We believe in His pre-existence, His incarnation through the virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His sacrificial death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His exaltation, His present reign at God’s right hand, and His personal return in glory to establish His everlasting Kingdom. [Acts 1:11; Acts 3:19-21; Daniel 7:14; Revelation 20:4]
We acknowledge Jesus as Lord over all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. [Philippians 2:9-10]
The Holy Spirit – We believe in the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in the world today. He empowers believers, indwells them, and imparts spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. Through His transforming power, He shapes the lives of all who believe. [1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14]
We believe that God created man through a direct and immediate act. [Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:4]
We believe that man fell from his original state of righteousness and holiness due to sin. As a result, humanity is spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and separated from God. No one can achieve righteousness on their own; they must be saved and redeemed through the power of the gospel. [Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4]
We believe that repentance and faith in Jesus Christ are essential for a believer’s justification. Through faith in the blood of Christ, a person is justified and united with Christ in His death. [Romans 5:1, 9]
We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith. It is not based on works, so no one can boast. [Ephesians 2:8-9]
We believe that the Christian walk should focus on living a life of righteousness, purity, and faith. This includes trusting in God’s power to keep us, living by the Spirit, and reflecting the character and convictions of Jesus, rather than conforming to the world. [Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 4:1-5; Romans 12:1-2]
We believe that repentance comes through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, both in sinners and believers. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leading to godly sorrow and repentance. [2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalm 51; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; Romans 1:18-32; Matthew 9:12-13]
We believe that at the final judgment, which will take place when Christ returns, every person will give an account of their life. Unbelievers will be separated from God for eternity in hell, while believers will experience the resurrection and live forever with Christ in the new heavens and new earth. [1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15]
We believe the Church is both universal and local. All believers form the Church, in unity with all believers throughout history; and yet, the church is also local, with believers gathering in committed community and under the authority of Christ. [Ephesians 1:21]
Scripture describes the Church as:
the Body of Christ [Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:22-23]
the household of God [Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-4:7; Ephesians 2:11]
the temple of God [1 Corinthians 3:9-17, Ephesians 2:21-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10]
God’s chosen people [Romans 11:17; Galatians 4:28-31; Ephesians 2:19]
This language is intimate and reveals Jesus’s commitment to and care for His people. Furthermore, the church is God’s instrument for revealing His purpose on the Earth and the fullness of Jesus on earth for His glory. [Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 1:23]
We believe in the Lord’s Supper and believer’s baptism as acts of our obedience and a testimony of our faith. [Matthew 3:6; Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29]
We believe water baptism is necessary in obedient response to the command of Jesus. Baptism is to be performed only upon repentant believers in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. [Matthew 28:18-20]
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2:4; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6]
We hold that the real evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is one’s response to the Word of God (John 16:13), a Christ-like life, showing forth Christ’s character, and experiencing and manifesting the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit. [John 15:26; John 16:14; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11]
It was 1981 when the Lord first gave us the scripture in Isaiah 54:2-3, (enlarge the place of our tent). Now, we feel The Lord is leading us to enlarge our tent, to be stretched and not hold back, lengthen our chords and strengthen our stakes. Our heart’s desire is to partner and participate with the Lord locally, nationally and internationally in discipling and church planting, in seeing the Kingdom of God come.
How it all started
In 1982, Riverside Church began as a small gathering in Macduff. It was led by Joe & Yvonne Ewen and Alan & Winifred Parsons and hosted in Joe's home.
Seeking to follow the vision of a vibrant, Spirit-led local Church, others joined and we began meeting in Macduff Town Hall.
Early Growth
We saw many great things happening and continued to grow. We moved to Macduff Primary School and were joined by people from Buckie and Elgin.
During these years, the Lord deepened our relationship with Him and with one another. Our understanding of His Kingdom grew and with it, the vision for a network of local churches with a heart for the World.
The Riverside Church Network was established with the planting of Riverside Christian Church, Buckie & Elgin City Church. Our vision statement became "We will go to every town, city, village, and country area where Jesus calls us to go."
Putting Down Roots
2013 saw the opening of Harvest Centre, Elgin where God again blessed us with a prime location for reaching out into the community. Harvest Centre later became River Church Elgin.
Building and Releasing
In 2014, our umbrella sister church, Harvest Centre Trinity in Banff is now a vital part of our ministry. Our heart is for our local communities, our nation and the nations of the world.
Our Journey Continues
In 2016, Senior Leader of the Antioch Movement, Jimmy Seibert, came to Banff to receive the River Churches into the Antioch Movement. That includes River Church Elgin and River Church Aberdeen too.
Antioch is a global family of churches committed to Jesus and His purposes. We value encountering God, life-on-life discipleship and missions through the local church. We are reaching the nations through church-planting and discipleship movements. We see this as a positive step for the furthering of the gospel.
His Faithfulness
River Church Elgin has been a beacon of faith and community in Elgin, Scotland, for many years. Our journey has been marked by seasons of growth, transitions, and unwavering dedication to the call of God.
During a pivotal time, [year], Jeff Oakes and his wife Kathy came from Tennessee, USA, to serve as interim ministers. With the faithful commitment of the church members and the support of other River Churches, River Church Elgin reopened its doors, entering a new season of revival and restoration.
A New Chapter Begins...
In 2020, Mike and Leslie Herron, who had been sent by Antioch Ministries International to serve in the Republic of Ireland in 2015, completed their mission after five years of ministry. They then moved to River Banff, Scotland, where they became deeply involved in River Church Banff's youth and children's ministries, conferences, and other church initiatives.
In January 2023, Mike and Leslie accepted the call to join the staff at River Church Elgin with the vision to serve long-term. Catherine Downey also came from United States to join them on staff.
February 2024, Mike was installed as the senior pastor of River Church Elgin, stepping into leadership as Jeff and Kathy Oakes returned to the United States due to Kathy’s health.
River Church Elgin is a part of the River Church Network in Scotland. The River Church is also a part of the Antioch Ministries International Movement.
© 2024 – 2025. River Church Elgin.
All Rights Reserved.
