About Us
Our Motto - Judge No One, Minister To All
This motto is at the heart of who we are and it was inspired by the 2 verses below.
- Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
- Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Statement Of Purpose
The River Of Life Christian Fellowship was conceived out of a hunger for true worship when a small band of dedicated believers hungry for freedom In Christ began to meet together in homes for the purpose of prayer, study, and fellowship. We are comprised of people from all walks of life who are seeking or have found a relevant and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, as both Lord and Savior of their lives. We exist solely for the purpose of communicating the Gospel of Christ to the who so ever will. We believe God has endowed each person with gifts, talents, and abilities, therefore we encourage each person to discover, refine, and use the same for the glory of God, and the edification of the body of believers. While we consider ourselves to be Evangelical by nature we are not governed by denominational standards, or theological traditions. We pledge allegiance to no one except the one and only God, Jesus Christ our Lord, and it is by his mandates laid forth in the books of the Holy bible that we shall strive to accomplish as we walk the life of faith, in the image of Christ.
Our History
Back in 2001 a group of people who were attending a denominational church felt the call of God to break away the denomination and begin an independent church. We first began meeting together in the homes of various individuals for bible study and prayer. On August 18 of that year about 25 of us crammed into the meeting room of the Best Western Hotel in Bentleyville for the first service of The River Of Life Christian Fellowship.
On October 29, of 2001 a meeting was held at the Bentleyville Fire Hall where 35 people signed a charter declaring their intention to incorporate as a church.
An Attorney was hired and the legal process began. By Thanksgiving of that same year The River Of Life Christian Fellowship was fully incorporated with Rev. Paul Mitchell listed as the Founding Pastor. About the same time we moved from the Best Western to the Old Fallowfield Grange Hall on Old Grange road just outside of Bentleyville.
From 2001 through early 2006 the church grew and the search began for building of our own. After looking at several possibilities we made an offer on the former Ava Maria Parish in Ellsworth PA. We closed on the building on St. Patrick's Day in 2006. Work began on remodeling the building to suit our needs, and by Mothers Day of the same year we held our first service in our Ellsworth facility.
The River Of Life Christian Fellowship has evolved a great deal since it's humble beginnings, and stands today as a solid, growing and relevant Christian Church open to anyone who may be looking for a church family.