Student Ministry
Youth Pastor
Michael Harsch is pastor of Riverbend's youth. You can find out more about him by clicking here.
Purpose Statement
Riverbend's ministry to students exists to glorify God through partnering with families to teach and equip students with the Word of God so as to bring them to a competent understanding of truth, establish Biblical convictions, and lead them to joyful obedience to Jesus Christ.
Weekly Gathering
The Riverbend Student Ministry gathers on Sundays and Wednesdays to study the word of God and fellowship with one another.The middle and high school groups meet together on Sunday mornings for master teaching at 9:00 AM in the Youth Center. On Wednesday nights, we meet together at 6:15 PM in the Youth Center for fellowship, announcements and worship, followed by time in small groups.
Currently, we also offer our weekly summer Bible Study, ACTS, which meets every Monday from 10:00 AM - noon. After this time of games and study, we head off campus for lunch, and those who desire are invited to return to the church for an afternoon of dodgeball and other games, ending at 3:00 PM. The study series for this summer's ACTS program is modeled after the church's Discovering Riverbend class, which allows students to learn about church membership.
Special Events
A weekend in host homes of Bible Study, fellowship, and tons of fun. The weekend begins on Friday night and lasts until Sunday morning. Previous Bible Study topics have been a study of the book of Proverbs, Addictions, the Family, Soul-winning and many others. Fun events from the past have included a city-wide scavenger hunt, an Olympic challenge, and much more!
A weekend retreat at Camp Southwind including sermons, small groups, fellowship, fun, outdoor activities, and relaxation. Camp Southwind is located in Ocklawaha, Fl and has a beautiful campus including cabins, a nice-sized dining hall, a large swimming pool, a lake, a comfortable meeting room, basketball courts, large soccer fields, and a huge rope swing. The campus is a perfect place for a weekend getaway in the middle of a busy school year. Our students have found this to be a spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically refreshing trip.
The Riverbend Student Ministry gathers with other student ministries from around the country for a week spent in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Black Mountain, North Carolina. The YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly is the location of our annual summer camp. Each year we gather in Black Mountain for a week of refreshment in the Lord. Each day centers around the preaching and study of God's word. There are two sermons a day (morning and evening) both followed by small group discussion about the sermon. The afternoons often allow for free time or coordinated activities such as horse back riding, white water rafting, rock climbing, firing guns at a shooting range, and paintball.* Summer camp is a spiritually refreshing time that our students anticipate every summer.
Other special events include Top Secret Trip, Sunday Night After Church (gathering in homes for fellowship and fun), Middle School Action Week and other events are included in the annual calendar of events.*
Youth Leadership Team
9th Grade Boys: Jeff Dillard & Ryan Cochran
9th Grade Girls: Jenny Winings & Jules Cox
10th Grade Boys: Trace Pendry & Robbie Richmond
10th Grade Girls: Elizabeth Pendry & Haley Cochran
11th Grade Boys: Dale McCormick & Roger Holt
11th Grade Girls: Alesha Richmond & Rebecca McCormick
12th Grade Boys: Dave Evans & Jim Skelly
12th Grade Girls: Michelle Fleming & Karen Dillard
6th Grade Boys: Marcel Simons
6th Grade Girls: Melissa Simons & Melissa Affolter
7th Grade Boys: Brian Bulger
7th Grade Girls: Kim Bulger
8th Grade Boys: Aaron Johnsen & Pastor Michael Harsch
8th Grade Girls: Rebecca Hochstetler & Summer Harsch
Contact Information
Pastor Michael -
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or call the church office at 386-672-1821 and ask for Pastor Michael.
Secretary: Natalie Hochstetler -
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Find us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/youth_rcc
*Not all events are offered every year.
