Our Story

How it all started...

WE HAVE ROOTS HERE

In 1992, Pastors Chris and Miriam Phillips came to Jacksonville, NC to provide pastoral leadership to Living Water Fellowship. At that time, there remained a small group of 60-80 people who had been without pastoral leadership for months and were meeting in a small storefront on Henderson Drive. Shortly after their arrival, the Lord began to bring clear vision and new purpose. Thus, River of Life Church was born.

In May of 1999, the church moved into a new worship facility at 1940 Gum Branch Road, where we met until 2019.

In the beginning of September 2007 we added a third service to the Sunday morning lineup to meet the needs of the growing church. Currently, over 1200 worshippers attend services each Sunday.

In the beginning of April 2008 we took steps forward and closed on nearly 60 acres of land on the corner of Western Extension and Gum Branch Road.

In January of 2011 we began the “Heart for the House” campaign and in April of 2017, we broke ground on a new worship facility.

On December 22, 2019, we had our Grand Opening Sunday at 2460 Gum Branch Road, after almost 13 years of planning and preparation.

We currently have service every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and no food or drink is allowed in the sanctuary.

On Wednesday night we have "Grow Time" which is laid out in a classroom format and we have a handful to choose from every quarter. Grow Time starts at 7:00 p.m each week. 

R Youth service is on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturday every month and starts at 6:00 p.m. 

We currently meet at our new facility, located at 2460 Gum Branch Road.

Expanding the vision...

On Easter weekend 2015, we launched our Dumfries, VA campus.   Our Dumfries, VA location meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at 17650 Possum Point Road in Dumfries, VA  with on-site Pastors, Mason +Nanette Phillips.

ROL Virginia is about changing people’s lives and eternal destinies through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That’s our passion, and that’s our purpose.

Be a part of our story...

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10:00 a.m.  and each Wednesday evening for "Grow Time" at 7:00 pm.