ABOUT US
At River Church, everything begins with the presence of God. We believe lives are transformed when people encounter Jesus, so creating space to experience His presence is at the heart of who we are.
We're a warm, welcoming family of believers made up of people from every generation, background, and walk of life. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time, returning to church, or looking for a place to call home, you'll find a community where you can belong, grow, and discover God's purpose for your life.
For more than 30 years, River Church has been serving the greater Syracuse community with one mission: to help people encounter God, find family, and live on mission. Through passionate worship, practical, Bible-centered teaching, authentic relationships, and a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, we're committed to seeing lives changed by the power of God's Word.
We believe God's vision for His Church is beautifully diverse—a place where every generation is valued, every culture is welcomed, every person has a purpose, and every believer is equipped to make a difference. That's the kind of church we're continually becoming.
Whether we're gathering for worship, serving our city, or sharing the hope of Jesus with our neighbors, our prayer is that everyone who walks through our doors experiences the love of God and finds a place to call home.
- Passionate Worship – Experience God's presence through contemporary worship.
- Biblical Teaching – Practical messages rooted in Scripture that you can apply throughout the week.
- Authentic Community – Friendly people, meaningful relationships, and a place to belong.
- C3: Children's Ministry – Safe, fun, and engaging environments where children can grow in their faith.
- Coffee & Conversation – Grab a drink in the café and connect with others before or after service.
- Prayer & Ministry – Opportunities to receive prayer and respond to what God is doing in your life.
30+ Years serving Greater Syracuse
1.5+ Million Meals distributed
Countless Lives impacted through local outreach
One Mission: Sharing the hope of Jesus
For more than 30 years, River Church has been committed to serving the greater Syracuse community with the love and hope of Jesus. We believe the Church is called to make a difference—not only inside our walls, but throughout our city.
From feeding families and supporting those in need to partnering with local organizations and serving our neighbors, we're passionate about meeting practical needs and sharing God's love in tangible ways. Through these efforts, we've had the privilege of helping provide more than 1.5 million meals to individuals and families across Central New York.
Serving our community isn't just something we do—it's part of who we are. We're committed to loving our city well and being a place where hope is shared, lives are transformed, and everyone is welcome.
Our Story
River Church began with a simple calling: to love people and share the hope of Jesus. In the 1980s, our ministry started in a small storefront, serving the inner city of Syracuse by providing food, clothing, and practical support to those in need. Through that outreach on South Geddes Street, we had the privilege of helping provide more than 1.5 million meals to our community.
As the ministry grew, so did our opportunities to serve. We opened a live-in recovery home for men overcoming addiction and, in the early 1990s, River Church was established with a foundation of outreach, street evangelism, and a passion to see lives transformed by the love of Christ.
Pastors Danny and Jean Thornton faithfully led River Church for more than 30 years, building a legacy of compassion, faith, and service. In 2020, they entrusted that legacy to Pastors Dan and Shannon, who had already served the church faithfully for more than 27 years.
Today, our mission remains the same. We are committed to reaching the lost, loving our city, and helping people encounter God, find family, and live on mission. We believe God is bringing His Church together to make an even greater impact, and we're excited for all that He has ahead.
Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or searching for a church to call home, we'd love to welcome you this Sunday. Come as you are and experience passionate worship, practical, Bible-centered teaching, authentic community, and a place where you can encounter God.
Sunday Gathering
10:00 AM
Location
750 James St.
Syracuse, NY
Bring the whole family! Our C3: Created. Chosen. Called. Children's ministry provides a safe, fun, and engaging environment where children can learn about Jesus while you enjoy the service.
Ready to join us? We'd love to meet you, answer any questions, and help make your first visit a great experience.
