River of Life Fellowship (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)
in 1994 three groups related to the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada (Hope Fellowship from the Tavistock, Ontario area, Living Water Community Christian Fellowship from the New Hamburg area and Kitchener-Waterloo House Church) believed there was a need for a new new cell church fellowship in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. The Kitchener-Waterloo House Church withdrew from the exploration, but persons from the other two groups joined their efforts to form the River of Life Fellowship on 17 December 1995.
The 60 initial participants met in cell groups and held weekly celebration worship services. The celebration services included everyone for an hour of celebration, followed by an hour of teaching for adults and separate ministry for the children.
The leadership of River of Life has been provided through a volunteer team of elders. Wayne and Mary Wagler were early leaders; Peter and Denise Gruber also provided much leadership through the years.
Initially the group met in a variety of locations before settling for nine years at the Pioneer Park Community Centre. Later the group rented chapel space from Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener. From June 2018 to December 2019 they met at Conrad Grebel University College. In December 2019 they moved to the former Zion United Church location in downtown Kitchener.
Over time the congregation has shifted from a narrower identity as a "cell church" to being a church with cells in which all members were encouraged to participate. In 2017 the group continued to have a variety of cells for all ages and interests.
In 2017 spiritual direction continued to be provided by a lay leadership team.
At the end of May 2019 River of Life withdrew from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and continued as an independent congregation. The congregation was led by a leadership team with Laura Gerber as team leader and Visioning and Teaching Pastor, Dwayne Ruby oversaw Pastoral Care and Local Missions, Denise Gruber oversaw Leadership Development, and Brad Brodhagen oversaw Life Groups and Extended Missions.
Bibliography
"About Us." River of Life Fellowship. 2009. Web. 6 January 2017. http://www.riveroflifefellowship.ca/site/?page_id=16.
Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. Discernment Documents (25 April 2020): 28.
Mennonite Reporter (19 February 1996): 14.
Additional Information
Address: 32 Weber St. West, Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z2
Phone: 519-894-1504
Website: https://www.riveroflifefellowship.ca/
Denominational Affiliations: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada Conference (1994-May 2019)
Mennonite Church Canada (1999-May 2019)
Ordained Leaders at River of Life Fellowship
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Leadership/Elder Team | 1995-present |
Membership at River of Life Fellowship
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 36 |
| 2008 | 58 |
| 2015 | 69 |
Map
Map:River of Life Fellowship (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | July 2000 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "River of Life Fellowship (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. July 2000. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=River_of_Life_Fellowship_(Kitchener,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=168018.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (July 2000). River of Life Fellowship (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=River_of_Life_Fellowship_(Kitchener,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=168018.
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