RiverLife Fellowship

There is a seemingly random episode in the Gospels where Jesus suddenly turns to the disciples and tells them to beware the "leaven of the Pharisees." It's anything but random, though. Jesus is warning them to watch out for hardening their hearts against the Kingdom. We see the disciples do this frequently when they rely on their own ability to provide. We can easily be like the disciples in this...

Beneath the surface "thieves" are often robbing us of the full life Jesus promises. The good news is that through His resurrection, Jesus offers us abundant life now (Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:4–5; John 10:10), empowering us to recognize and resist the subtle things that steal our joy and peace.    Join us in Wilmington as Head Pastor Ryan Meade explores how to identify the "little foxes" in our liv...

Where are all the fathers? Through Paul's example, we're called to plant, water, and build lives on the foundation of Jesus, investing intentionally in others. This is a discipleship deeper than influence, into something more formative. The question, then, isn't just where the fathers are—it's whether we're willing to become them.   Join us in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger continues...

The story of Elisha on his deathbed and King Joash in 2 Kings 13:14–19 feels strikingly close to where the Church is today. It conveys a sense that a spiritual era is coming to a close and another is beginning. Honoring what God has done is essential, but this story poses a deeper question. Will we value what God has done and still hesitate when He invites us forward?   Join us in Mooresville as H...

In a world that celebrates human wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2 reveals how believers are called to think differently—with the mind of Christ. Discover four powerful ways to move beyond fear, self-doubt, and natural thinking into a life led by the Spirit; grounded in God's power, discernment, and eternal perspective.   Join us in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger continues his series in Corint...

"Now" is a weighty word in the New Testament. It appears repeatedly, especially in the Gospels and Acts. Often, "now" points to fulfillment. A favorable time. A day of salvation, healing, and deliverance (2 Corinthians 6:1–2.) Life with God is always lived in the present. We cannot live in the past, nor are we called to wait for the future.    Join us in Mooresville as Head Pastor Byron Wicker exp...

In the very center of His sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. Over the years, the Lord's prayer has become wrote liturgy. But, there is fresh life in those words for any who have felt their prayers lacking clarity, authority, or connection to the Father. It is not simply a prayer—it's a framework for how to live.   Join us in Wilmington as guest speaker Sam Johnston unpac...

Recognizing and stewarding the voice of God in everyday life—through Scripture, impressions, and quiet moments of listening, is a skill which will be increasingly important for the followers of Christ in the modern age. As we learn to "turn aside" and give God our attention, we position ourselves for deeper revelation and greater spiritual fruitfulness.    Join us in Chapel Hill as Jenn and Jamie...

"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:13). The world is ravished with information, love of self, and love of pleasure. These are all fountains that we find ourselves turning to instead of God to get our fill. These cisterns cannot hold water and will not satisfy...

In I Samuel 3, we see Samuel called into the unknown as he learns to recognize and respond to the voice of God. What causes real change in our lives isn't external pressure, but a surrendered heart. When we stop holding on to our lives and place them fully in God's hands, we find the courage to step into the things he's called us into.   Join us in Wilmington as Meghan Merritt, COO of the YMCA of...

The church in Corinth was messy, divided, and full of issues—just like many families today—but Paul reminds us that Jesus still deeply loves His Bride.   Join us in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger begins a series on Corinthians by exploring how trading the world's "wisdom" for the power of the cross brings us into the holiness and unity we were made for.   For more information, visit...

Throughout his epistles, Paul refers to a life following Christ as a kind of walk. This concept is built on a well-founded tradition set out in the Old Testament as a path God has laid out for His servants. It may seem harsh or restricting, but the reality of the path God has laid out for us is that it allows us to fully live in the glory God has created us for.   Join us in Mooresville as Pastor...

John 20 explores by Christ's victory breathes life into dead situations. It restores broken family dynamics and invites us into a brand-new, intimate relationship where we are no longer just servants, but brothers and sisters of the King.   Join us for Resurrection Sunday in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger explores how the resurrection of Jesus both conquers the grave and provides the...

Two meals in the Bible have significantly impacted human history. The first, in Genesis 3, introduced separation, shame, fear, and death, as humanity became aware of itself outside of God. Later, after Jesus' resurrection, in Luke 24, a different meal at the village of Emmaus took place, offering people the chance to see Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior with their own eyes.   Join us for Resurrecti...

Mark tells us about how Jesus orchestrated his entry into Jerusalem to clearly fulfill Old Testament scriptures from Zechariah, Genesis, and Psalms (Mark 11:1–10). He showed clearly that He was and is King and Messiah, but he came in a surprising way—just as he often does in our lives.   Join us in Wilmington as Head Pastor Ryan Meade and guest Sean Meade discuss the meaning of this rich passage i...

True worship is never cheap—it costs us something, fills our lives with the fragrance of Heaven, and shapes us to die to ourselves so that Christ's life can be revealed in us. As Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, we are invited to examine our own response—religious, disappointed, or prophetic—and to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him.   Join us for Palm Sunday in Chapel Hill as Head...

Sometimes we give everything—our time, strength, prayers, and love—only to feel that there are no results, just spilled out effort. On a dark hill outside Jerusalem, the Son of God quietly said, "I thirst," and in that moment, His life was poured out; not wasted, but given. Whatever you hold, whatever seems expensive or might be lost, offer it to Him. There is no waste in the Kingdom.   Join us in...

With the changing technological world, it feels like it's becoming increasingly harder to identify what's true and what is not. There is good news, though. Jesus is the person of truth, and has a partnership with the word of God and the Spirit of Truth so that we have the tools at our disposal to combat the lies of the enemy.   Join us in Wilmington as Pastor Cory explores the effect the truth of...

Grace is more than forgiveness—it's the reigning power of God that shapes our identity, establishes our position, and empowers us to live transformed lives. When we walk in that grace, we can step into the fullness of who God has called us to be.   Join us in Chapel Hill as guest speaker Sam Johnston unpacks grace not only frees us from sin but teaches, strengthens, and sustains us in daily life t...

As we look to the days ahead, the essential focus remains His voice. We are naturally attracted to that commanding, majestic sound which breaks through and demands attention, as described in Psalm 29:4–9. However, we also require the quiet, steady voice that keeps us grounded, guided, and fruitful (Psalm 19:1–3).   Join us in Mooresville as Head Pastor Byron Wicker encourages us to seek the still,...

What happens when we truly look at Jesus, and allow Him to look at us? When we fix our gaze on Him, our perspective shifts, our identity is restored, and our hearts are awakened to His love. Discover the invitation to see the One who sees you.   Join us in Wilmington as Pastor Mary Meade explores the powerful reality that God is El Roi, the God who sees.   For more information, visit riverlifefell...

In Moses' final message to Israel, he reminds them that every generation, including us, faces a choice between life and death, blessing and curse. From the two trees in the Garden to the choices we make today, the question remains the same: will we live from the Tree of Life - grace, love, and Christ’s finished work, or from the tree of knowledge, striving to be right in our own wisdom?   Join us...

Power reveals a person's true nature. When power is used for control, manipulation, or personal desires, questions are silenced, curiosity is discouraged, and organizations are protected at the expense of people. But the way of Christ is different. In His kingdom, love governs power. And when love controls power, authority becomes a means to serve, not to rule.   Join us in Mooresville as Head Pas...

Jesus tells us plainly that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Because Christ, the true light, lives within us, His light now shines through our lives. We are called to live in the world while showing a different way of life, bringing grace, truth, and hope into places that often feel dark.   Join us in Wilmington as Head Pastor Ryan Meade encourages us to embrace our calling to live as...

Jesus taught in Matthew 24 that wars, global turmoil, and unusual signs are just the "birth pains"—signs that history is moving toward His return, though no one knows the exact day or hour. In Matthew 25, Jesus explains that the key preparation is cultivating intimacy with God—dwelling in His presence—so that when Jesus comes, we are watchful, faithful, and ready.   Join us in Chapel Hill as Head...