SO THAT all MAY HEAR
OUR HEART IS GLOBAL BECA
USE GOD’S HEART IS GLOBAL
River Valley Church Family,
We continue to be in awe of the amazing blessings God has poured out in and through River Valley Church. In this season of the church, we have found ourselves constantly thanking God for the blessings He has given us and praising Him for using us to further His Kingdom.
In the last chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we find what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. It is the pinnacle of Jesus’ teaching, and it serves as the foundational purpose of the Church. The message, while short, gives a clear call with firm direction: “Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations…”
We believe it is our calling –our mission to send our best to see the Great Commission, God’s Global Project fulfilled. Kingdom Builders is our way of bringing the Good News of the gospel to all nations through a faithful community passionate about generosity.
Together, we will continue to aim at the bullseye God has placed on this house — to send out 500 missionaries from River Valley Church.
Together, we get to continue to set record years for Kingdom Builders’ over-and-above giving and watch God work miracles as we financially partner with Christ-centered ministries and missionaries all around the world.
In this publication, you will see the heart of River Valley Church poured out. Our heart is global, because God’s heart is global. Through our Global Project and Kingdom Builders ministries, we all have the opportunity to participate in this great mission, the Great Commission, that Jesus Christ commanded us to be a part of. This includes funding local initiatives, as well as projects that develop and equip the next generation.
We are full of faith for all that God is going to do in the year to come, and are continually humbled that He would use us, this church, all for Jesus to be glorified.
All of this is for Jesus! So that all may hear!
Rob & Becca Ketterling Lead Pastors of River Valley Church
Our Heart is Global
BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
All throughout Scripture, you can see God’s heart for the world and the nations. In fact, there are 1,600 Bible verses that show God’s passion for the world. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s desire is to make Himself known and show His love to all people on earth.
In John 3:16, it says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.”
Christ’s last words, known as the Great Commission, can be found in Acts 1:8. He says, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
These words of Christ are our common mission as followers of Jesus. Our ultimate goal found in Scripture is depicted in Revelation 7:9-10, where it says that every tribe and
nation would gather around the throne of Jesus, giving Him all of the praise and worship.
Simply put, the aim of “missions” is to see God’s glory and the gospel advancement among all nations and people on earth.
If God’s heart is for the world and the nations, are our heart’s in alignment with His mission? As followers of Jesus, we should be on mission for Him so that all may know and worship Him.
Here at River Valley Church, our heart is global because God’s heart is global.
Global Project is what we call our global missions efforts. Through Global Project, we all have the opportunity to participate in this great mission that Jesus Christ asked us to be a part of.
“...THERE
BEFORE ME WAS a great multitude THAT no one could count, FROM EVERY NATION, TRIBE, PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE, STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE and before the Lamb.”
THE STATE OF THE WORLD
The State of the World paints a picture of a worthy work left unfinished. To understand this world, we must be aware of how many people have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus. Those that are waiting and have very little or no access to this gospel are known as the Unreached.
At River Valley, we have a global heart because we understand the importance of the Great Commission and want to see all of God’s people reached with the Good News of Jesus.
CHANGING THE STATISTICS
By choosing to make our heart global and because of the generosity of our church, together, we are helping change the statistics. Here is a snapshot of some of our efforts.
Since the beginning, over ��� Global Teams & Virtual Global Teams have been sent to over 50 countries
Since the beginning, over 8,966 people have served on a Global Team or Virtual Global Team
We financially support over 1,200 missionaries on a monthly basis
$6,8��, on average, is sent out from River Valley per day to support missions work around the world
So far, those in the River Valley ��� have served or are currently serving in over �� different countries, with more being added every year
Carl F. H. Henry
THE UNREACHED
More than 7,000 people groups in the world are considered unreached
Over 3 billion people live among the Unreached
��% of the world has yet to hear the Good News of Jesus
Of the 7,000 languages spoken around the world, about 125 million people do not have a single verse of Scripture translated into their language
WINDOW
A geographic region of the world located between 10 & 40 degrees latitude from West Africa to East Asia
��% of the world’s unreached people live in the 10/40 window*
The unequal distribution of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest injustice on earth today. So much good work is being done, and we believe the best days to reach our world are still ahead of us.
“FOR THIS IS HOW God loved the world: HE GAVE HIS one and only Son, SO THAT
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM will not perish BUT HAVE eternal life.”
John 3:16
NEXT STEPS: THE MISSIONARY ACTION PLAN
Is God calling you?
The Missionary Action Plan (MAP) is a multi-phase, multistep process designed as a resource to help you discern if God is asking you to serve Him overseas for at least a year, if not a lifetime, as part of the 500. The MAP isn’t just for those who already know that God is calling them to serve Him overseas someday, but for anyone who feels stirred to explore missions at a deeper level. The MAP will take you on a journey of simple obedience to Jesus, growing and developing your global heart and helping you further discern the individual role God wants you to play in the Great Commission.
Learn more about the MAP and the 500 here!
YOU CAN serve the Lord OVERSEAS AS PART OF THE RIVER VALLEY 500 no matter
YOUR LIFE STAGE OR SEASON.
Take a look at the chart on pages 61-64 to see where the River Valley 500 have served and are currently serving.
OVERCOME:
a love letter to the 500
Scan here to watch the live recording of the song.
“HEAR THE redeemed TELL THEIR STORY SEE THAT THE lost ARE NOW home HE’S still doing it TODAY SAVING LIVES AND BREAKING CHAINS BY THE power THAT’S IN HIS NAME OH THE power IN JESUS’ NAME”
River Valley Worship Live Recording, July 2024
We can’t afford to write another faceless song. Songwriting for its own sake, for personal gain and or even purely musical exploration was not what we were going to settle for that day. Writing something with real vision and with real people in mind truly became the sentiment in the moments that we wrote “Overcome.”
Walking into that studio on a humid June morning in Nashville, Tennessee, it wasn’t just one face or one person that I held in my heart, but many. Fathers, mothers, children, young people, old people, all of them heroes from every generation. These are the sent ones who make up the army that we call The River Valley 500. This is who the song is for.
What started as a love letter to the 500 quickly morphed into what we hoped would be a battle cry for when the fight got rough, and the journey became dark. God has shown again and again that He graces our missionaries with a special strength and faith to accomplish what He has called them to but not every day is easy, and not every battle leaves them untouched or unscathed. When the days grow long, and momentum seems scarce or when the nights are restless and worry comes close, I wanted every missionary to remember that they are overcomers.
Like a one-two punch, the blood of Jesus and the word of God are all that we need as believers to vanquish every attack of the enemy. When The 500 hear the song, I pray it lifts their head, galvanizes their faith and realigns their resolve. Members of The 500, there is nothing that can overtake you because you are an overcomer.
Ryan Williams, Central Worship Pastor
GLOBAL TEAM TESTIMONIES
“During one of our morning devotions, the Lord really convicted me and asked me if I was seeking the lost like He sought me when I was lost. At this moment I realized that I really haven’t been doing all I can to reach and seek the lost here in the US. Since being back, I have been much more confident and bold in sharing my faith and the ways that God has been so faithful to me always and that He wants that for everyone.”
Global Team Turkey
“I would just love to share how special it is when you make connections with missionaries from across the world. You grow such a special and eternal bond and it is an honor to give them support, lift and encouragement! They are giving everything of themselves and it’s great to be able to step into what they’ve already built through God for the country they gave their yes to!”
Global Team Indonesia
“If you have found yourself at River Valley, there is a reason. This is a church that is called to be loud about global missions. So to find yourself at River Valley is likely God highlighting to you that his heart for the world is important. Global Teams are one of the ways to see his heart for the lost but also to invest your heart into a new place each time. Your heart expands for his people as you go to each place. Don’t wonder if, determine it matters and begin to pray about the timing and which trip. And when the invitation comes, consider how you could make it happen.”
Global Team East Africa
Builders Edition
WHAT IS KINGDOM BUILDERS?
Kingdom Builders is our way of bringing the Good News of the gospel to all nations through a faithful community passionate about generosity. From kids to adults, the profile of a Kingdom Builder is the same. This community, open to all, is built of individuals and families that prayerfully commit to give over-andabove their tithes to global missions, local church expansion and future Christian leaders.
“I came into MNTC in June 2022, I was broken and hopeless. I was lost and felt alone, until I invited Jesus into my heart on July 22, 2022. For the first time I felt like the piece I had been missing was found. Then in April of 2023 I found my home, River Valley Church City Campus. From the moment I walked in I felt seen and like I was a part of the church family.”
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge (MNTC), Kingdom Builders’ Partner
Jordan R., City Campus
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge Choir
BLESSED to be a BLESSING
Kingdom Impact
Your generosity through Kingdom Builders is changing lives and helping build the Kingdom of God all around the world! Here is a glimpse into the impact of your generosity:
Since the beginning of Kingdom Builders over 17,695 families and individuals have given.
From the beginning, over $89,587,033 has been given through Kingdom Builders.
Kingdom
Builders Giving Breakdown
In 2024 $12,349,665 was generously given to Kingdom Builders.
THROUGH OUR KINGDOM BUILDERS’
PARTNERS, YOUR GENEROSITY IS...
Inspiring generosity in the next generation
Serving our neighbors so they can experience the hands and feet of Jesus
Training and equipping pastors and leaders all around the world
Bringing the gospel with nutritious food and clean water
Translating scripture into the heart language of every people group
Creating access for the Unreached
Supporting orphans and widows and those who give them care
Bringing support and prevention for victims of human trafficking
Planting the church locally and globally
Kingdom Builders is helping fund the new chapel for Bible school students in Argentina.
River Valley Church Eswatini Campus was funded in part by Kingdom Builders.
Kingdom Builders’ Partner Story
EUROPEAN CHURCH PLANT
Miracle after miracle has unfolded as we pursued our dream of planting a church in Toulouse, France. Thanks to your prayers and generosity, River Valley Church, we have felt God’s hand guiding us on this journey. After recognizing God’s call to Toulouse, we began to pray that God would send us French pastors to plant the church with. This is where we met Manou and Lauryne Bolomik. They were pastoring in Northern France, and God led them to Toulouse at the same time as us. Through God aligning our visions for Toulouse, our families set out to plant a new church in the city.
We moved to Toulouse in August 2021. We were joined in Toulouse by River Valley’s own 500, Molly Dupuis (#136), who played a tremendous part in this adventure. We had originally planned to start the church in about a year, but the hunger of the people told us we needed to start as soon as possible! We decided the best thing to do was start with prayer together. Any movement birthed out of the necessity of God’s presence must start with prayer! We started by
European Church Plant, Eglise La Recontre | Kingdom Builders’ Partner
praying in the Bolomik’s apartment and had our two families and Molly present at the beginning. As we prayed, God brought more people. We moved from their apartment to ours, and eventually, when our neighbors complained about how many people were coming into our apartment on a Thursday night, we knew we needed more space. It was a great problem to have!
Before long, dozens of people were coming together for prayer. We decided to hold a monthly Sunday service, and it grew beyond our expectations. People who had never set foot in a church began attending, drawn by a peace they couldn’t explain. One of them, a young woman named Marie, felt this peace as she passed by one of our services. She had never known a Christian before, but that night she encountered Jesus, gave her life to Him, and now serves on our media team. Testimonies like this are only possible because of the Holy Spirit!
Our church, Eglise La Rencontre (Encounter Church), is built on the belief that people in a secular culture can experience the living God in a community that loves them. As more people came to faith, we saw lives transformed. Justin, who gave his heart to Jesus and invited 40 friends to his baptism, is now studying to become
a pastor. His decision to follow Jesus brought over 170 people to that service, marking a turning point for our growing church.
We knew we needed a building to hold the amount of people worshiping whose lives were being changed every week now. We knocked on every door in the city only to find that the prices were too high or they would not accept a church meeting in their space. God provided yet another miracle and we finally found a space where all generations are able to worship together.
We now have over two hundred people gathering every Sunday, and new people are getting saved and baptized constantly. God is doing exceedingly more than we could ever think or imagine. It’s not stopping here. We have a vision to see more life-giving churches planted throughout France. We are part of a church that started in Normandy, France, and we see God do the miraculous there as well. They just had 47 people at their last interest meeting and plan to launch in March of 2025. God is up to something in France, and the harvest is ripe.
From the moment we said yes to our mission, River Valley Church has been behind us. We have prayed several times that God would send funds,
European Church Plant, Eglise La Recontre | Kingdom Builders’ Partner
and River Valley has been a part of the miraculous. From sending live-stream cameras to every region of France to operate churches during Covid, to providing printing for thousands of books to be distributed in prisons to reach the Muslim population, Kingdom Builders has a hand in each of these stories. Through your prayers and generosity to Kingdom Builders, countless lives have been touched in this country. Countless more Maries and Justins need to hear the Good News here. Thank you for being a part of their stories and all the ones to come!
Kevin & Noel Miller
River Valley Supported Missionaries
“THROUGH
YOUR prayers and generosity TO KINGDOM BUILDERS, countless lives HAVE BEEN TOUCHED IN THIS COUNTRY. COUNTLESS MORE MARIES AND JUSTINS NEED to hear the Good News HERE.”
Kevin & Noel Miller
Global
500 SENDERS FUND
Our vision is to send out 500 missionaries from our church. This fund helps fill gaps in financial support to assist some in getting to the field quicker.
AFRICA’S HOPE
Provides biblical training for leaders of the growing Church in Africa, equipping them with knowledge and the power of the Holy Spirit.
ASIA PACIFIC CHURCH PLANTS
Raising money for projects and church plants amongst the Unreached throughout Asia Pacific.
BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
Supporting the continued expansion and growth of the International Church.
BETHANY INTERNATIONAL
Missions sending agency focused on the Unreached.
BOYS & GIRLS MISSIONARY CHALLENGE (BGMC)
Beginning the process of missions awareness, concern and stewardship in young lives by training kids to give sacrificially.
BUDDHIST HINDU PRIORITY
Focus on the extension of Christ’s hope to Buddhist and Hindu peoples.
BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL
Partnering with the Assemblies of God to send short-term teams to help build various ministry structures around the world.
BUSINESS AS MISSION TRAINING IN EUROPE
Teaching Christian leaders and missionaries in Europe how to lead Kingdom-focused businesses.
CENTRAL ASIA PROJECT
Developing evangelism and discipleship tools across various mediums to reach the Unreached.
CHANGE30
Inspiring purpose in Russian orphans by providing them with the love, guidance and resources they need to lead lives serving Jesus.
CHANGE THE MAP
Bringing awareness to and inspiring prayer for the more than 1 billion Buddhists across the world so that all may become disciples.
CONVOY OF HOPE
Providing disaster relief and support around the world and bringing hope in the name of Jesus.
CUBA CHURCH PLANTS
Partnering with the Cuban Church on projects such as construction, school of theology and pastoral training.
EQUIP LEADERSHIP
Training Christian leaders and mobilizing them to impact their families, businesses and communities.
ESWATINI CAMPUS AND CHILDREN’S CUP CAREPOINTS
Investing in our Eswatini church plant and surrounding local churches to change communities through holistic child development and the hope of Jesus.
EUROPEAN CHURCH PLANT
Planting a life-giving church in Toulouse, France, and working with area pastors to come together and care for the refugees that flee to France.
FIRE BIBLE TRANSLATION
Full-featured study Bible with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit.
GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Equipping, educating and training thousands of pastors globally to plant churches.
GOOD BUREAU
Helping Romanian leaders to make a change in their country by offering funding, networking and support while introducing them to Jesus Christ.
HAND OF HOPE
Helping to fund water wells in third world countries while ministering the love of Jesus Christ.
HEALING HAITI
A Christ-centered ministry leveraging resources to elevate and unify Haitian families to end the cycle of poverty and strengthen the community.
HEALING HANDS GLOBAL (JUNGLE HOSPITAL)
Christ-centered missions hospital meeting physical and spiritual needs by providing care and support for the impoverished people of Honduras.
HOPE INTERNATIONAL
Empowering those in poverty through training, micro-loans and Christ-based resources.
LIVE DEAD
Planting churches among unreached people groups through intercultural teams in Russia, the Arab World, Israel, Southeast Asia and many other areas without access to the gospel.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MISSIONARY KIDS
Bringing support to missionary kids as River Valley believes every member of the family is part of the on-field mission.
INDONESIA CAMPUS MINISTRY
A training center in Indonesia that teaches young people English and disciples them in their growing Christian faith.
JAPAN & ASIA CHURCH PLANTS
Helping to plant new churches through a vibrant bilingual church called Lifehouse International.
MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL
Providing believers worldwide with access to life-changing messages and discipleship tools through various mediums.
MIDDLE EAST CHURCH PLANTING
Using a Business as Mission approach to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those without access to the gospel in the Middle East.
MOROCCO TRAINING CENTER
Supporting the church planting movement in Morocco.
NETWORK211
Using cutting-edge technology to spread the gospel in the most difficult places in the world by helping people discover and grow in their journey.
NORTHERN ASIA COFFEE SHOP
A growing coffee shop that serves as a cultural ministry center in Northern Asia, providing gospel access to the Unreached.
ONEHOPE
Reaching children and youth worldwide with the gospel message through print, films, storytelling, audio and mobile apps.
ONE MILLION MEALS
A partnership between Venture and Feed My Starving Children to provide the gospel and meals to refugees of Thailand and Burma.
PAN-AFRICA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Seminary that focuses on training African leaders for greater effectiveness and growing the African Church.
PRIORITY ONE
Educating and equipping pastors of the global Church through Bible colleges, schools and leadership development organizations.
PROJECT42
Raising awareness and resources for the 42% of the world still waiting for access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
PROJECT RESCUE
Rescuing and restoring victims of sex trafficking through the love and power of Jesus Christ.
REACHING INDIANS MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Reaching the unreached of India with the gospel message and developing Christlike leaders to change lives and transform communities.
SAT-7
Using satellite technology to present the gospel among the most difficult-to-reach Muslims in their own homes through television and online platforms.
SCRIPTURE TRANSLATION
Providing access to the gospel for various people groups throughout the world who do not yet have access.
SPEED THE LIGHT
Youth raising money for missionary projects around the world, including essential resources, transportation and creative communication equipment.
THAILAND CHURCH EXPANSION
Expanding the national Church in Thailand.
THE GO FUND
Helping mobilize missionaries to the unreached by relieving some of their student debt.
THE TIMOTHY INITIATIVE
Planting disciple making churches among those with no access to the gospel.
THE WARRIOR’S JOURNEY
A Christ-based ministry that provides biblically based resources to military members and their families.
TURKEY CHURCH PLANTS
Bringing the gospel to Istanbul, Turkey through a live music cafe, Business as Mission approach.
WEST ASIA FARM
Engaging with local nationals and refugees to bring the Gospel by way of agriculture.
WORLD CHURCH PLANTING INITIATIVE
Planting Assemblies of God churches around the world.
Local
ABILITY TREE
Bringing the gospel and biblically based resources to families whose children have disabilities.
ALPHA
A discipleship course that explores the Christian faith through a series of questions designed to create conversation.
ARRIVE MINISTRIES
Training and equipping people to welcome, extend love, serve and walk alongside refugees and immigrants that come to Minnesota, all while witnessing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
ASSOCIATION OF RELATED CHURCHES (ARC)
Churches working with church planters and church leaders to provide support, guidance and resources to launch and grow life-giving churches.
CHURCH MULTIPLICATION NETWORK (CMN)
Equipping and funding leaders to plant healthy, Spirit-filled churches across the U.S.
CRYSTAL WOMEN’S CLINIC
Honors the sanctity of human life by assisting clients in lifeaffirming decisions with the love and compassion of Christ.
EMERGE COUNSELING MINISTRIES
A place of help, hope and healing for individuals on a journey to mental health healing and awareness through the presence of God.
FREEDOMWORKS
Helping former offenders who are returning to society reconcile to God, family and community.
FUTURE RIVER VALLEY CAMPUSES
Our vision is to launch new campuses in the Twin Cities metro area and in key communities throughout greater Minnesota.
ICCM LIFE CENTER
MINNEAPOLIS
Urban ministry center in Minneapolis committed to transforming impoverished people through the power of Christ.
L.A. DREAM CENTER
Focusing on sharing the love of Jesus by finding solutions for homelessness, hunger and a lack of education.
LIFE REBUILDERS
Sharing the gospel while providing hope and transformation to offer the opportunity for men and women to find a safe place to renew their spirit, emotional and physical strength.
MINNESOTA ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE
A Christ-centered organization focused on helping people gain freedom from chemical addictions and other lifecontrolling issues.
NATIONAL BLACK FELLOWSHIP
A movement of hope transforming communities by developing and deploying African American leaders, planting and revitalizing churches, advancing biblical justice and restoring families.
RIVER VALLEY WORSHIP
Supporting the River Valley Church worship team as they create and perform albums, recordings and other projects locally and globally.
SAMARITAN’S PURSE
A Christian-based organization that helps victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love by providing spiritual and physical aid.
SERVE DAY
A nationwide initiative that provides opportunities to serve our local communities and share the love of God through practical acts of kindness.
SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
The department of River Valley Church that supports and funds local Christian-based and Christian-purposed non-profits.
THE DWELLING PLACE
Offering safe, transitional housing and Christ-centered supportive services for those who have suffered domestic abuse.
THE HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through hospitality with international students and scholars in the Twin Cities.
TOGETHER FOR GOOD
Bringing hope and healing by creating pathways for the church to come alongside vulnerable families with Christ-centered ministry.
UNION GOSPEL MISSION
Exists to provide Christ-centered, discipleship-oriented pathways and programs that restore dignity and wholeness to men, women and children.
U.S. OUTREACH TOUR
Outreach events around the nation intended to build up and encourage local church communities.
Future
CHURCH MATCH
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship funds donated by River Valley Church for students pursuing a major in ministry and attending Christian universities that match church funds.
KIDS & YTH SCHOLARSHIPS
Funds to aid children and students to participate in district camps, conferences and National Fine Arts participation.
KINGDOM BUILDERS
YOUTH GLOBAL TEAMS
Sending youth students to other countries and exposing them to what God is doing around the world in order to build their faith in Jesus Christ.
LAKE GENEVA
CHRISTIAN CENTER
Minnesota District camp, retreat and conference center used for YTH and Kids week-long summer camps.
MINNESOTA FOSTER CARE
Providing material needs to those involved in the process of foster care and adoption.
NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
A university in Minneapolis focused on equipping and sending leaders into the world to bring the love of Jesus.
RIVER VALLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Developing future Christian leaders by providing interns with community, training and growth opportunities.
RIVER VALLEY NETWORK
A community of pastors and church leaders who are on mission to build healthy and generous churches, collectively giving $1 billion to world missions every year.
WILDWOOD HILLS RANCH
A ranch in Iowa transforming lives and strengthening communities by providing healing, hope and God’s love to children and at-risk youth.
Kingdom Builders
Builders Partners
As of December 2024
HOW DO I MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BEING A KINGDOM BUILDER?
PLAN
First, make a plan to give. When you have plans and are diligent, it leads to plenty (Proverbs 21:5). God is excited when you have a plan! Whatever the amount is— have the plan in place, work the plan and be obedient to it. Start with what God has already blessed you with.
VISION
Next, ask God to give you a vision for what He could do through you with His help. This is beyond what you can do with your natural income. This requires you to take a step of faith. Additionally, Habakkuk 2:2 tells us to write that vision down and pray about it, so do that! God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Stepping out in faith pleases God. When you look at what He has in His hands, it goes to another level!
DREAM
Lastly, what would be a dream amount you could give? Hold on to this dream. This number is only between you and God. Watch as each step of faith you take, God moves you closer to that dream. God can do exceedingly abundantly more than all we can ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Then celebrate when God fulfills it!
Now more than ever, make a plan to give, ask God for a vision in your generosity and hold on to the dream of what God will do as you step out in faith!
“In the end all you will have is what you have given to God.”
Dave Ohlerking, Founder of Children’s Cup, Kingdom Builders’ Partner
KINGDOM BUILDERS YTH GLOBAL TEAM TESTIMONIES
River Valley believes in raising up the next generation of Christian leaders who will go into all the world and make disciples. Every few years, we offer the opportunity for juniors and seniors in YTH to go and serve on a Global Team fully sponsored through Kingdom Builders.
Kingdom Builders YTH Global Team Testimonies
“This whole trip was so truly amazing but I think what God was pointing out to me the most is how privileged I am in America and that I need to take more time out of my day to pray and worship him. The people in Garbage City gave up their entire lives to follow Jesus and now live surrounded by trash. The least I can do is give up 30 minutes a day praying and talking with the Lord. It also has helped me realize that I need to give more to Kingdom Builders.”
Egypt YTH Global Team
“The ministry work done on this trip really strengthened my faith and brought me closer to God! This was because I got to see God working first hand in such broken neighborhoods. I got to see God heal people right in front of my eyes. I got to see God give people so much joy even when their home life looked really ugly. Through this I learned more about how powerful God is and how He will protect us when we follow Him!”
El Salvador YTH Global Team
“We had a little boy come in that was only 3 years old. Everyone at the Vacation Bible School couldn’t understand what he would say. The language barrier was extremely difficult at first. He couldn’t understand the slightest bit of English. I felt God prompting me to just speak in the language I speak to Him, so I did. The little boy was able to understand bits and pieces of what I was saying as I somehow was speaking in his language, Russian. By the end of the week we had been having full-on conversations in his language, and I was able to teach him some English! Something you can only praise God for!!”
Ireland YTH Global Team
Scan here to learn more about the impact of Kingdom Builders YTH Global Teams!
Because of your generosity, youth are being called to the mission field! Many students who get to go on Global Teams receive a call to the 500. Others see how God can use their gifts and talents to reach this world. Over the years, these students have gone into ministry, used their entrepreneurial gifts to raise money for missionaries and Kingdom Builders and simply lived a life of openness to the leading of the Spirit every day. It is our joy to invest in the next generation that God is raising up!
YTH Global Team Egypt
One Day To Feed The World
As a church and as Kingdom Builders, we want to do what we can to care for those who sadly aren’t sure where their next meal might come from. Each year, Pastor Rob challenges our church to pray about giving one day’s wage to help feed the world! The last two years, over two million has been raised for over a dozen feeding organizations through One Day to Feed the World. Together, we can help end poverty and hunger around the world through our partnerships with various feeding programs and organizations. Join us as we give our ‘one day’ to transform their every day!
MIRACLE OFFERING
In November, as a church, we set aside one weekend to participate in our Miracle Offering. As Kingdom Builders, this is the biggest weekend of the year. It is an opportunity to give generously and experience a miracle together through our Kingdom Builders’ partners. Throughout the year, commit to praying about the part God has for you to play in the Miracle Offering and continue to work your plan, vision and dream for Kingdom Builders! Save the date for 2025’s Miracle Offering: November 15-16.
Get Involved
LEARN MORE GIVE
Learn more about Kingdom Builders and the impact your generosity is making all around the world.
Give online to Kingdom Builders by scanning here or texting ‘KBGIFT’ to 94000.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We want to hear stories of generosity! Share your story of what God has done in and through you or someone in your life and allow it to impact and inspire others along their journey of living “blessed to be a blessing.” Scan here to share your story!
“LET YOUR light shine BEFORE OTHERS, THAT THEY may see YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY YOUR Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
River Valley 500 Edition
Blessed to be a Blessing
Global Impact
ORIGIN
William Borden, born in 1887 to a very wealthy family, gave his life to Jesus Christ as a young man. He studied at Yale University and went on to Princeton Seminary. After graduating, he decided to dedicate his life to reaching the Muslims of China. His first stop on that journey was Cairo, Egypt. But at the age of twenty-five, less than a month after he arrived, Borden contracted spinal meningitis and died.
Found in the back cover of his Bible were three important phrases that would define his life. In response to a friend saying that he was wasting his life as a missionary, he wrote two words: No Reserves. Later, after turning down his dad’s offer to take over the multi-million dollar family business, he wrote two more words: No Retreats. And shortly before his death, he wrote two final words: No Regrets.
During a visit to the Borden gravesite in 2013, Pastor Rob, Pastor Justin Mack, and a small group of pastors they were visiting
with were yelled at by the graveyard caretaker. He was mad because a group of Christians said they would pay for Borden’s grave to be restored but never paid the bill. Not knowing how much the bill was and wanting to defend the Christians, Pastor Rob said, “We’ll pay it!” The bill was $500. Pastor Rob grabbed the money and paid it on the spot. At that moment, one of the missionaries said, “I believe you’re supposed to raise up 500 missionaries from your church–one for every dollar you just paid to restore this grave.”
This word from God was where the vision of the River Valley 500 was born.
Five hundred individuals, couples and families who will serve God overseas for at least one year and who will pray about a lifetime. We believe it is our calling–our mission to send our best to see the Great Commission, God’s Global Project fulfilled.
Scan here to watch the origin story of the 500.
Pastor Justin, Pastor Rob and Elder Mark Pahl at the restored William Borden gravesite in 2024
“THEN HE SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, ‘The harvest is plentiful BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW.
Jesus’ last words spoken on earth were, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News.” These words are known as the Great Commission and were not given to a group of missionaries, but to those who called themselves followers of Jesus.
With 42% of the world still waiting to hear that Jesus loves them, we ALL have a part to play in the Great Commission.
Whether that be praying, welcoming, sending, mobilizing or going on the field, God’s heart for the world is what spurs us on to play our part in bringing the Good News to the ends of the earth.
Learn more about specific ways to engage in each role here.
PRAY
Prayer is something we all can do! Let’s ask God to extend His Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Join us in praying for the River Valley 500!
Adopt any number from 1 - 500 and commit to praying for them every day. Your faithful prayers will help them stay focused and faithful to what Jesus has asked them to do.
E.M. Bounds
WELCOME
As a welcomer, befriend others from different ethnic backgrounds, who don’t know Jesus. Learn about their culture and, over time, share Jesus with them.
As a sender, you are helping make it financially feasible for missions work to be done all around the world. You can do this by supporting missionaries on a monthly basis and giving to Kingdom Builders. Sending is a financial sacrifice and a choice to live on less in order to give more. As senders, we ask God to help us steward the resources He has given us with the greatest measure of His wisdom.
Scan here to search for a missionary to support monthly.
Matthew 28:19
MOBILIZE
To mobilize means to help others discover their role in the Great Commission. Humbly share with others the need to reach those who have not heard about Jesus’ love and encourage those who are obeying God in their journey overseas.
God can use each one of our unique talents, skills, vocations and personalities to minister to those all around the world.
SHORT-TERM: GLOBAL TEAMS
Every month, teams of volunteers from our church travel around the world to help meet physical and spiritual needs and share the love of Jesus Christ. We offer a variety of team options — one for everyone in the family. You can choose from short, domestic teams or longer, 14-day international teams, virtual teams from the convenience of your home and everything in between. Going is always worth the investment!
Scan the QR code for our current Global Team opportunities.
LONG-TERM: THE RIVER VALLEY 500
It is our vision to raise up and send out 500 individuals, couples and families who are willing to serve God overseas for at least a year and pray about giving Him a lifetime. The River Valley 500 sacrifice their time, convenience and comfort to obey the Great Commission.
SO THAT all MAY HEAR