SO THAT all MAY HEAR
2026 Kingdom Builders & Global Project Book
OUR heart IS global BECAUSE GOD’S heart IS global
River Valley Church Family,
In this season, as we celebrate 30 years since the launch of River Valley Church, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude — constantly thanking Him for His blessings and praising Him for the privilege of working together to be part of something far greater than ourselves. We continue to stand in awe of the incredible ways God is moving in and through all of us.
At the close of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus leaves us with a bold and clear directive — the Great Commission: “Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations…” These words aren’t just a suggestion; they are our mission. They are the heartbeat of the Church and the rallying cry of River Valley. That’s why we keep moving forward until the ends of the earth are reached.
We believe we’ve been called to be a generous church and a sending church — to give and lead the way for other churches to follow and to raise up and release our very best to bring the gospel to every corner of the world. That’s why Kingdom Builders exists: to be the vehicle that fuels God’s Global Project by mobilizing a generous, faithfilled community passionate about reaching the nations.
Our God-sized vision for missions is clear: to send 500 missionaries from River Valley into the world. Together, we’re stepping out in faith, breaking new ground and seeing miracles unfold as we give above and beyond through Kingdom Builders. Each gift is more than dollars and cents — it’s a direct investment in lives being transformed by the love of Jesus.
In the pages of this publication, you’ll catch a glimpse of the heart of River Valley Church. It’s a heart that beats for the world — because God’s heart beats for the world. From global missions to local outreach and leadership development, Kingdom Builders is about more than projects — it’s about purpose.
As we look ahead, we’re filled with faith and expectancy. We are asking God to do in the next 10 years what it took us 30 years to accomplish thus far. And we’re humbled — deeply humbled — that He would choose to use us to make His name known.
All of this is for Jesus! So that all may hear!
Rob & Becca Ketterling
Lead Pastors of River Valley Church
PART ONE 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 �70 Global Teams & Virtual Global Teams have been sent to over 60 countries
Since the beginning, over 9,800 people have served on a Global Team or Virtual Global Team
We financially support over 1,200 missionaries on a monthly basis
$4,600, 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 �7 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 7,000 languages spoken around the world, about 125 million people do not have a single verse of Scripture translated into their language
*Map and statistics gathered from JoshuaProject.net
��% of the world has yet to hear the Good News of Jesus
Of those that are unreached there are over 2,000 people groups consisting of over 200 million people who have never had a witness come to them
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 year-round, cohortbased program designed to help you discern if God is asking you to serve Him cross-culturally 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.
ROPE HOLDERS
Scan here to watch the Rope Holders message.
“I will go down INTO THE PIT — if you will HOLD THE ROPES.”
In 1793, William Carey, a humble English shoemaker, felt an unshakable call to take the gospel to those who had never heard it. When he asked whether the Great Commission was still binding on the Church, many told him to quiet down—to leave such work to others. But Carey couldn’t ignore the burden God had placed on his heart. Someone had to go.
And so he declared, “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes.”
Carey went on to spend 40 years in India, translating Scripture into six languages
and portions of it into 29 more. His faith and perseverance helped ignite the modern missions movement. But Carey didn’t go alone—he went because others held the ropes: those who prayed, gave, encouraged and sent.
That image still speaks powerfully today. The mission of God has always been a shared calling. Some go into the pit; others hold the rope. Both are vital. Neither can fulfill the mission without the other.
The Apostle Paul captured this beautifully in Romans 10:14–15: “How can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
At River Valley, we often talk about The 500—those who are called and sent to bring the gospel to the world. Yet their success depends on the rest of us who commit to hold the rope. We hold it through our giving, our prayers, our encouragement and our unwavering support.
Every believer has a place in this story. You may never set foot on foreign soil, but through your faithfulness you can help carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. You can hold tightly to the rope— and never let go.
The question isn’t “Should you hold the rope?” The question is “Where on the rope are you?”
We are all Rope Holders!
GLOBAL TEAM TESTIMONIES
“This trip has left me in awe of God and his goodness. Seeing the people of Belize worship God and love Him in the harshest of conditions filled me with gratitude and love. The children were so open and loving. The volunteers at the care points were selfless and their love for one another and the children was abundant. This trip has changed me. I feel at peace in my mind and at the same time a stirring to pray big prayers and ask God what’s next for me. The fellowship with my teammates and leaders has given me a road map for continuing to pursue God.”
Global Team Belize
“One day after our kids’ program, we split into groups to go pray for families in the community. Our group went to this house where the whole family lived together. They invited us inside and their grandma was sitting in a chair. She had horrible varicose veins, leg pain, couldn’t walk much and one leg was shorter than the other. Her foot was so swollen. We wanted to pray for this woman and while we were praying, we had the thought to pray that her leg would be lengthened and that the swelling would go down. At that moment, we saw and felt her leg lengthen and the swelling go down. After, she put her leg down and I knew before she did that, that her legs would be the same length. And sure enough, they were the same length. God is still doing miracles and He won’t ever stop!”
Global Team El Salvador
“This trip was a marking moment in my life. It challenged me, clarified my mission as a believer, clarified my purpose and was the most impactful, revelatory and transformational time in my life. I found greater freedom in my own life and greater confidence in the message and power of the gospel - how to share it simply without expectation, what’s my job and what’s God’s. Everyone should go on a Global Team. It would revolutionize each life and in turn each community of believers and essentially the world.”
Global Team Madrid
OUR heart IS GLOBAL
PART TWO KINGDOM BUILDERS
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.
SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
Serve Our Community exists to go out beyond our campuses to care for and serve our communities through consistent and relational ministry. We want to share the love of Jesus through our partnerships, generous giving and practical use of our talents and time to meet tangible needs. Here are a few highlights from those who have served:
“Serving in general has got to be the best thing that we get to do with our hearts, hands, service and time. There’s nothing more that brightens your day. And even flips your perspective, with your day, that you get to serve others and think of others more than yourself.”
Shakopee CampusAttendee serving at Together For Good
“My time spent serving is a blessing to me and it makes me feel close to God and makes me feel like I’m living out the calling He has for me, and that’s a blessing in my life.”
Apple Valley Campus Attendee serving at Union Gospel
“First Saturday Serve reminds us that the Church doesn’t just gather, it GOES! When we serve our city, we show the tangible love of Jesus to people who may never step into a church building.”
City Campus Pastor
“Friday evenings tend to be our favorite night of the week. That’s time we set aside to serve in the city, intentionally meeting people with the goal of inviting them into their own discipleship journey with Jesus as Lord and Savior.”
City Campus Attendee serving at ICCM Life Center
“I love First Saturday Serve - there’s something about getting up early and picking up trash with my church family – guess it’s The Holy Spirit at work because I just shouldn’t love it as much as I do. We’ve shared the gospel, moved to new parks, played basketball and competed for the most trash picked up. No Saturday is really the same!”
First Saturday Serve Team Member
BLESSED to be a BLESSING
KINGDOM BUILDERS ALL TIME GIVING
When Kingdom Builders began 16 years ago, it was born from a clear sense of God’s leading—to cultivate a culture of generosity through overand-above-the-tithe giving. From the very beginning, the vision reflected River Valley’s global heart: to give more than 50 percent toward missions, invest in the next generation of Christian leaders and expand the local church while faithfully serving our community.
Launched in 2010 through simple breakfast gatherings and guest speakers, Kingdom Builders was built on bold vision, audacious faith and a God-sized dream. At the time, we could never have imagined what God would do through the faithful generosity of His people. What started humbly has grown into one of the most generous missionsgiving movements in the world.
On December 21, 2025—the same year River Valley Church celebrated its 30th anniversary—Pastor Rob shared a milestone that took our breath away: Kingdom Builders’
all-time giving had surpassed $100 million. That day, we celebrated a total of $100,748,160 given in generosity!
This milestone represents far more than a number. It tells the story of orphans and widows cared for, families fed in extreme poverty and local organizations strengthened as they serve our communities. It reflects our commitment to raising up future Christian leaders and planting churches—both here at home and across the globe— bringing hope to places where the message of Jesus has not yet been heard.
To God be all the glory! And as we look ahead with faith and expectancy, we believe the best is yet to come—so that all may hear.
Through our Kingdom Builders’ Partners, your generosity is...
Serving our neighbors so they can experience the hands and feet of Jesus
Creating access for the Unreached
Inspiring generosity in the next generation
Bringing the gospel with nutritious food and clean water
Training and equipping pastors and leaders all around the world
Translating Scripture into the heart language of every people group
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
In just one of our valued partnerships, River Valley has been able to give over $1.5 million for 61 different translations of a study Bible.
Our Story
From Tokyo to Minnesota to Tokyo—Following God’s Call
Miwa’s Journey
I (Miwa) was born and raised in Minnesota in a Japanese Christian home. Every Sunday, my family and I attended a small Japanese Lutheran church in Minneapolis. My faith became personal when I was eight years old and went to a Billy Graham crusade. That night, I gave my life to Jesus and began a relationship with Him that would shape the rest of my life.
As a little girl attending AWANA Club, I learned about Amy Carmichael, the missionary to India. Her story stirred something deep inside me. I knew — even as a child — that God was calling me to be a missionary to Japan, to bring His love to people there. From that moment on, my dream was simple: grow up, move to Japan and tell others about Jesus.
By Kirby & Miwa Sato
After high school, I studied at North Central University. During college, I had the opportunity to connect with an international church in Tokyo. When I graduated, I moved to Japan and joined that church’s leadership team, learning how to reach and disciple young people. It was during that season where I met Kirby (who would one day become my husband) after he
was invited to the church from our street evangelism team. (Lifehouse Church, a Kingdom Builders partner.)
Kirby’s Journey
I (Kirby) was born in Hawaii, but I grew up in Japan, in a very traditional home in Hiroshima. I didn’t know anything about church or Jesus. My childhood was difficult and full of pain from domestic abuse, and by the time I was eighteen, I felt lost and broken. I moved to Tokyo, searching for a new beginning — but I still felt empty inside.
One day, I came across a group of Christians performing on the street. They invited me to church. I had never been to a church before, but something inside me said to go. When I walked in, I noticed something different — everyone seemed so *alive.* They were shining with joy and peace, and I couldn’t understand why.
As the worship service began, I heard about Jesus Christ for the first time in my life. I didn’t fully grasp it, but when I prayed, something miraculous happened. The emptiness I’d carried for years disappeared, replaced by love, joy and hope. I walked into that church with nothing, and I walked out feeling like I had gained everything — because Jesus came into my heart.
From then on, every day felt new and full of meaning. I began a personal relationship with Jesus, learning to talk with Him through the Bible and prayer. Four days into my faith, God had called me into ministry. It was during this season that I met Miwa — and we quickly discovered that God had called us both into ministry.
Serving Together in Japan
We continued serving on the church leadership team together, and a couple of years after we got married, Kirby joined the church staff full-time. Together, we led young adult and college ministries, coordinated short-term mission teams and oversaw interns. We loved serving and seeing people encounter Jesus for the first time.
During that time, our paths crossed with Global Teams from River Valley Church. We instantly felt a connection with their heart for missions and their passion for reaching the world. We didn’t realize it then, but God was already weaving our stories together.
A Call to the United States
As we prayed about our future, God began speaking to us — separately but clearly. We each received a verse from the Lord, and though they were different passages, they pointed us to the same place: the United States of America.
While praying about where God wanted us to go in the U.S., He directed us to Minnesota, particularly in May 2020, when Minnesota was in the global spotlight. We only knew one church in Minnesota - River Valley - so we watched online and we heard Pastor Rob say, “Our heart is global.” That phrase brought us right back to Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
That was our confirmation. Soon after, we packed up our lives in Tokyo and moved to the Twin Cities in 2021.
A Season of Growth and Preparation
Once in Minnesota, we began serving at River Valley Church. I (Kirby) joined the staff at City Campus, and Miwa and I both committed ourselves to learning, growing and serving wherever God led. We loved our community and felt at home. Honestly, we thought we’d be here for good — living the “American dream.”
But after three and a half years in Minnesota, God began to stir our hearts again.
During a dinner, Pastor Rob said something that struck me (Kirby) deeply: “Our kids are going to multiply our ministry.” On the way home, I (Kirby) started thinking about the future of our family and asked Miwa, “What ministry do we want our kids to multiply through us?” That question stayed with us.
When River Valley entered the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting in 2024, we sought God’s will for our future. On the last day, at Worship Night, we received a word: ‘prepare and go’. It was His gentle call to return to Japan — this time as missionaries, part of The River Valley 500.
God’s Faithfulness in Every Season
As we were preparing our hearts to go through the missionary process, my (Kirby’s) mother passed away. It was a season of grief and transition, yet even then, God was preparing us for what was next. The Sunday following my mother’s passing in South Carolina, we went to a nearby church and listened to a sermon about Jesus’ first miracle:
turning water into wine. The question was asked, “What did Jesus need for the miracle?” The answer was simple — a vessel.
That truth hit us deeply. We had been wondering if we had enough — enough resources, enough knowledge, enough strength. But God reminded us that He doesn’t need us to be perfect; He just needs us to be a vessel. That realization anchored our souls.
The Beginning of Something New
The process was very quick for us — approved by our agency in the Spring of 2025, then moving to Japan in the late summer. By August our family — along with a dozen others — gathered for the very first meeting of River Valley Church, Tokyo. It was humbling and surreal to see God’s faithfulness come full circle: from a little girl in Minnesota who dreamed of being a missionary, to a young man in Japan who found Jesus on the streets of Tokyo, now standing together as pastors in one of the most unreached nations in the world.
We’re so thankful for River Valley Church — for your leadership, prayers, generosity and support. We truly couldn’t do this without you.
It’s so clear to us that God is the one building His Church. We’re simply honored to be part of His story — and we know this is just the beginning.
The best is yet to come.
– Kirby & Miwa Sato
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.
EAST & SOUTHEAST
ASIA PROJECTS
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 life-giving churches and working with area pastors to come together and care for refugees that flee to France.
FIREBIBLE 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.
HAITI MINISTRIES
Ministries that include outreach and evangelism to Haitian Nationals.
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 Missions approach to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those without access to the gospel in the Middle East.
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.
OASIS WORLD MINISTRIES
Spreading the gospel worldwide through evangelism training.
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 Christ-like 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
11 organizations translating the gospel into the heart languages of those who do not have it.
SHINE/MERGE
Unites and activates the church to reach the nations in the Twin Cities.
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 // AIRO
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 Missions 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.
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.
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
Volunteers hand-pack the meals donated to food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved.
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.
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.
NEW LIFE FAMILY SERVICES
A faith-based organization offering pregnancy, parenting, post-abortion and adoption services.
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 CENTER
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.
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 Christian 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 2025
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!
It was Clive Beckenham’s personal vision for the orphanage in Kenya that inspired Pastor Rob’s message to every Kingdom Builderalways have a “Plan, Vision and Dream” for your generosity.
Below is a picture of Pastor Rob blessing the orphanage in Clive and Mary’s name.
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!
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. Here are some of their testimonies.
“Global Teams are important to students’ spiritual growth because they push you out of your comfort zone, you get to share your testimony with your team and the people you encounter, which grows you in vulnerability and the Lord honors that and uses you in so many ways that you never expected.”
YTH Global Team Arab World
“Every student should go on a Global Team because it expands their worldview. I think everyone can get caught up in their own life; a Global Team shows how small your problems really are. I personally still think back to my first Global Team to Eswatini, and it brings me out of being so self-consumed.”
YTH Global Team Eswatini
“I came to Egypt with no knowledge of Egyptian people and I didn’t know the living conditions people were in. When I went to Egypt I was expecting God to speak to me about more of my calling. But he had better plans instead. Instead he showed me how the Christians live in Garbage City in Egypt and how they don’t care about the living conditions they’re in because their faith is bigger and God will deliver them. And that made me think, how many of us are willing to live in a terrible place that smells and reeks of garbage and will probably die there for our faith? How many of us are willing to risk being outcasted by society and willing to be unique for God?”
YTH Global Team Egypt
“I loved spending time with the kids we served and getting to know them. Even though we spoke different languages and normally couldn’t understand each other, we were still able to connect with them. Seeing their excitement and joy brought me so much excitement and joy!”
YTH Global Team El Salvador
“This trip and all the stuff we did really helped me get closer to the Holy Spirit. It also helped me have a visual representation to increase my faith in Jesus because we were in a place which is mentioned multiple times in the Bible and it was amazing to see. I loved all the leadership from the leaders and I was so thankful that they were there for me whenever I was struggling.”
YTH Global Team Africa
“The reason I love Global Teams is that you get to dedicate an entire week to serving others and letting the Lord transform your heart for people all over the world who are lost, hurting and broken. Going on a Global Team will change your life! When I went on Global Team Egypt we would hear the call to prayer go off five times a day. It was heartbreaking to see thousands of muslims bowing down and praying to a false god. The world needs Jesus and what an incredible opportunity it is to get to spend just one week ministering to people in a place all the way across the world!”
YTH Global Team Middle East
“The reason I like to go on Global Teams is because it gives you the chance to learn how to evangelize to people in a practical way.”
YTH Global Team Ireland
“The reason I like Global Teams is that it allows you to see the Father’s heart in a different light. He has a heart for everyone to know Him, and Global Teams allow you to get a taste of what missions can look like. It can give you a deeper understanding of why we can’t lose sight of missions and everyone hearing the name of Jesus.”
YTH Global Team England
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!
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 three years, we’ve raised nearly three million for over a dozen local and global feeding organizations through One Day To Feed World. Together, we can help end poverty and hunger around the world through our partnerships with various feeding programs and organizations. Join us in May of 2026 as we give our ‘one day’ to transform their every day!
In 2025, a medical practice and a coffee business encouraged their patients and patrons to join with them in One Day to Feed the World. To commend their efforts, Kingdom Builders created a special plaque commemorating their participation. If your organization would like to participate, email kingdombuilders@rivervalley.org.
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 2026’s Miracle Offering: November 14-15.
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.
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!
PART THREE
River Valley 500 Edition Blessed to be a Blessing
RIVER VALLEY 500
River Valley 500 Edition
Blessed to be a Blessing
Our Global Impact
Origin THE RIVER VALLEY 500
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 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.
Justin Mack, 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 by giving to Kingdom Builders. When a missionary comes to your campus to share or you meet one on a Global Team, partnering financially with them on a monthly basis is one of the strongest ways of sending them. 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.
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, 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