Our Story

where He has led us… so far...

You can go to church and “do” church and still die a slow, agonizing spiritual death.  This is the place we were at in December, 2000.  As a matter of fact most of us didn’t really have a “spiritual” life; we were simply going through the motions.  Like many others of this generation of ‘seekers’, we had arrived at a point where we finally “looked up” and said, “IS THIS IT?!?”

We felt like we could do one of two things:  continue on as we were or make a change.  So on December 11, 2000, a few families met at the Denton Ferry RV Park in Cotter on the banks of the White River (hence the name ‘Riverside’).  It was just a meeting to see what our options were, but Bill and Frances Jordan were there to guide and counsel us as they had been in a similar situation several years ago.  With their guidance, we made the decision to go forward with planting a new ‘church’.  It was a decision that was not made quickly nor taken lightly.

God has continually watched over us and blessed us from the beginning.  We met in homes on Wednesday evening for the first month.  Then, when everything was in place, we met for the first time as the Riverside Church of Christ on January 21, 2001.  The little church building at Fairview was rent-free and lacked modern conveniences, such as a bathroom and running water.  However, a port-a-potty and water from home took care of those things.  There were only a handful of us on that crisp January Sunday morning, but we had a place to meet and we didn’t feel deprived of anything.  We were together and it was such a joyful occasion!  Eric Hudson preached our first sermon that morning.

We had already decided at this point we would have a different speaker each week.  The pulpit is filled by our 3 elders (which we appointed in 2003), and by visiting preachers like Dr. Randy Willingham, Devin Swindle, Dr. Flavil Yeakley, Jr, Todd Box, Doyne Byrd, Dr. Ross Cochran, Tim Martin, Roger Thompson, Dr Phil Thompson, Kelly Neill, Garrett Alexander, and Bruce Trogdon, among others. 

Our shepherds lead in a warm, humble and caring manner which encourages involvement and participation, placing the responsibility for outreach and evangelism right where it should be: on the members of their flock! 

God continues to bless us with opportunities to serve; we now meet at a building (which favors function over form) located on several acres at 190 Whitaker Lane in Gassville, Arkansas. 

One of the keys to our growth has been the Life Groups, which meet on Sunday night in members’ homes.  These groups ensure deeper spiritual growth as well as numerical growth, and make it almost impossible to be ‘anonymous’ and slip through the cracks at Riverside!   In the fall of 2007, the focus of our Life Group ministry shifted to a more ‘servant-oriented’ ministry.  We are still very concerned with meeting the needs of the members, but we now are endeavoring to reach out and serve our community and attract them to our risen Savior!

We welcome anyone who is seeking encouragement, fellowship and a deeper relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ!