River Valley Church Podcast

Welcome to the River Valley Church Podcast! Each week we’re learning what it means to practice the way of Jesus together through daily and weekly rhythms that shape us into His likeness. In this episode, we continue our RHYTHMS series by focusing on prayer—learning from Jesus’ own example, and from the story of Mary and Martha, what it means to choose presence with God over distraction. Our hope i...

In this week’s message, we continue our RHYTHMS series by looking at the transforming power of Scripture through the lens of the resurrection. Just as the slow drip of water carves stone, the daily rhythm of God’s Word shapes who we are becoming. Together, we’ll explore what Jesus Himself believed about the Bible, how the resurrection is the “aha moment” that makes sense of the entire story, and w...

In this opening message of our new fall series RHYTHMS, we explore how the patterns we practice—in life shape who we become. Rhythms form us slowly but powerfully over time. As a church, we’re setting out to look at five key rhythms that we think will help us “Practice the Way of Jesus Together." They are: Scripture, Prayer, Sabbath, Community, and Mission. This week, we begin with Scripture....

This week we looked at an important strategy when it comes to the mission of God to reach people... OIKOS. No, not the Greek yogurt! The 8-15 people in one's closest relational network, including friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Discover how God wants to use you to reach your OIKOS! ✝️ RIVER VALLEY CHURCH "Practicing the Way of Jesus Together." 📲 FOLLOW US Website: http:...

For this special "Bluegrass Sunday," Logan Phillips shared about the importance and power of our stories and how God can work through them to reach others. ✝️ RIVER VALLEY CHURCH "Practicing the Way of Jesus Together." 📲 FOLLOW US Website: http://www.rivervalleychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivervalleynh/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleynh/ 🎁 G...

This week we conclude our Acts: Ordinary People. Extraordinary Mission. Paul here gives his farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17–38). In his final words, Paul gives us a picture of what a true Gospel-shaped church looks like. A Gospel church is committed to the truth of God’s Word, even when it offends the culture. It is a serving church, where leaders lead by example through sacrifice and...

In this week’s message, we dive into Acts 19:23-41, where Paul’s message sparks a riot in Ephesus as it confronts the power of idols. Because of the gospel, we see how idols—whether material or personal—shape our lives and hold us captive. This message challenges us to recognize that idols are powerful, empty, and ultimately destroyed through Christ’s sacrifice. Tune in as we explore how the gospe...

What happens when the gospel collides with a city full of idols, philosophies, and spiritual confusion? In this message, Justin shares insights from his recent trip to Greece, standing on the very ground where the Apostle Paul addressed the people of Athens at Mars Hill. Whether you're surrounded by skepticism, confusion, or indifference in your own context, this message is a call to courageo...

In Week 11 of our message series through the book of Acts, we’re looking at the church in Antioch—born out of persecution, planted in a diverse city, and shaped by ordinary people transformed by Jesus. It became one of the most vibrant, Spirit-led communities in the early church. We’ll see how they lived out the gospel through bold outreach, prayerful dependence, deep discipleship, and radical gen...

We’re so glad you’re joining us today as we continue our journey through the book of Acts in our series, Ordinary People. Extraordinary Mission . In this episode, Justin walks us through Acts 10, a powerful story of conversion — not just for Cornelius, a devout and moral man — but also for Peter, who is still learning what it means to fully live out the gospel. We’ll see that true conversion alway...

In this week’s message from Acts 9:1–19, we explore the dramatic and humbling conversion of Saul of Tarsus—the man who once ravaged the early church and approved of Stephen’s death, but who became Christianity’s most passionate missionary. We see that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and calling. Saul’s story is not just about a sudden change of mind—it’s about a sovereign interruption by...

In this message, we explore the powerful story of Stephen from Acts 6:8-15 and 7:54-60. Despite facing false accusations and martyrdom, Stephen’s bold faith in the face of suffering serves as an example for us today. Join us as we look at three key aspects of his life: What Stephen said, What Stephen saw, and What Stephen did, and reflect on how his unwavering hope in Christ, even in the darkest m...

This week we had the privilege of hearing from one of our very own, Logan Phillips! Logan leads a Life Group and plays bass guitar at River Valley. Logan has a ministry background and has been a pastor in NH and VA. This week he shares about the importance of walking with God. Check it out! ✝️ RIVER VALLEY CHURCH "Practicing the Way of Jesus Together." 📲 FOLLOW US Website: http://www.ri...

As the early church explodes in growth, a crisis brews beneath the surface: certain widows are being overlooked, and tensions between cultural groups threaten the church’s unity and witness. In this week’s episode, we explore Acts 6:1–7 and discover how Spirit-led leadership, humble service, and biblical structure come together to meet real needs and fuel gospel expansion. ✝️ RIVER VALLEY CHURCH &...

What does it look like when the Spirit of God shapes a community? In this message from Acts 4:32–5:11, we see two powerful snapshots: one of radical generosity flowing from unity in Christ, and another of sobering judgment on spiritual hypocrisy. The early church was marked by open-handed love—and also by the seriousness of truth and integrity. As we explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira, we’r...

In this message from Acts 4:1–31, we explore the courage of Peter and John as they boldly proclaim the gospel in the face of arrest, threats, and opposition. Their Spirit-empowered witness echoes through history—from the early church to modern-day examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What fuels that kind of boldness? And what keeps us from living it out today? Join us as we’re reminded that gospel b...

In this message from Acts 3, we explore the story of a lame man healed at the Temple gate—and how this miracle reveals something far greater than physical restoration. Through the lens of Peter’s bold proclamation, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” we’re invited to consider the upward power of Jesus’ name, the forward promise of future restoration, the inward healing of...

Today we were joined by guest speaker, Sam Huggard, sharing about what it means that we are "Raised By Dying" from Colossians 3:1-11.  ✝️ RIVER VALLEY CHURCH "Practicing the Way of Jesus Together." 📲 FOLLOW US Website: http://www.rivervalleychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivervalleynh/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleynh/ 🎁 GIVE Help to support o...

This week’s message explores the beauty and power of Spirit-empowered community as seen in Acts 2:42–47. The early church wasn’t built on programs or personalities—it was built on devotion: to God, to one another, to prayer, and to life together. In a culture that often values independence, we’re reminded that following Jesus means belonging to His people. Real transformation happens not in isolat...

The day of Pentecost marked a transformative point not just in early Christian history, but in the course of spiritual existence. In Acts 2, we witness an extraordinary event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, not only empowering them but also unifying diverse cultures. This story is more than a piece of historical interest; it's a timeless reminder of God's power to int...

We embark on a 14-week journey through the book of Acts, the dynamic sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Much like how epic sequels build on their predecessors by raising stakes and expanding narratives, Acts takes the foundational events of Jesus' resurrection and propels them into a global mission through the early Church. As we delve into Acts 1:1-11, we witness the transition from Jesus' e...

This Easter Sunday we explore how the resurrection not only validated Jesus’ teachings but also demands a response from each of us. Whether you are a believer, a seeker, or a skeptic, this Easter Sunday is an opportunity to reflect on the transformational power of the risen Jesus and the hope it offers. Our invitation is simple: explore, engage, and allow yourself to be open to the life-changing r...

In this final week of our series, "Rich Toward God: Living Generously In Light of Eternity," we explore the transformative power of grace on our relationship with money. Learn how the giving pattern of the early church provides a powerful blueprint for us today as we strive to reflect God's grace in our financial lives. By examining our attitudes and practices around generosity, we...

This week we tackle a topic that weighs heavily on many hearts: financial stress . Grounded in Luke 12:22-34, we'll explore Jesus' teachings on anxiety, provision, and the profound connection between our finances and our faith. It's intriguing how money, a common subject in everyday conversations, often becomes a sensitive topic within the church. Yet, Jesus frequently addressed mon...

This past Sunday we kicked off a brand new, three-week series, "Rich Toward God: Living Generously In Light of Eternity." For Week One, we delve into the parable of The Rich Fool from Luke 12, challenging our understanding of wealth and possessions. This message encourages us to shift our focus from worldly accumulation to living a life rich in faith and generosity. Discover how aligning...