Welcome to River Church!

 Here at the River, first and foremost, we love the presence of God.  We have a warm and loving family of believers that is multi-cultural and contemporary.   River is a fresh, dynamic, Christian Ministry that has served in the greater Syracuse, area for more than 30 years. 

At the River, we strongly emphasize God and the life-changing power of his Word.  It is God’s vision to assemble a church that is multi-functional, multi-cultural, and multi-generational.  It is our purpose to do just that. 

Humble Beginnings

 Our ministry started in a storefront as outreach in the 80's giving food and clothes to those in need.   In reaching the inner city on South Geddes St we were able to provide 1.5 million meals.  Later, we hosted a men's live-in facility for recovering addicts.   The church was found on the principle of outreach and street evangelism in the early 90's.  

Pastors Danny & Jean Thornton founded the church and faithfully served as Senior Pastors for more than 30 years.  In June 2020,  Pastor Danny passed the baton to Assistant Pastors Dan & Shannon Allen who had served at the church for more than 27 years.

Today, we press on  in our call to reach the lost and hurting as a church and  through outreach.   We believe that God is bringing the body of Christ together, so we can do all that is asked of him.