Sometimes it can feel challenging to find a church home--especially one that champions diversity and inclusivity while being fully Jesus-centered. Unfortunately, there are many people who have felt alienated and even wounded by more traditional forms of church.

We've been there. We get it. And, we think you’ll find that the River is different from what you may have encountered before. We really believe Jesus is good news for everyone everywhere—no matter your sexual orientation, your ethnicity, your age, your marital status, etc., etc. When you come to the River, we want you to feel welcomed, included, and excited to discover the wonderful story God has crafted for your life.

​Learn More About Our Pastors
The River champions diversity because it is a crucial building block of our unity. Our pastors are committed to helping people of ALL backgrounds grow in connection with Jesus, with others, and with the world around us:

CHARLES PARK

​Charles emigrated to the U.S. from Korea at age 14. He later went on to receive degrees in Computer Science and Economics at Stanford, and a Ph.D. in Economics at M.I.T. After striving hard to achieve the American Dream, he found getting tangled up with the story of God much more interesting and unpredictable! He's been involved in full-time ministry for over 15 years, including helping plant the Reservoir Church in Greater Boston. He and his wife Caroline moved to Manhattan in June 2004 to start the River. They live in Battery Park City with their three children: Clara, Ariel, and Caleb.

ALISON NOLL

Alison grew up in Southern California and graduated from Pomona College with a BA in Politics and Dance. Her love of reading led her to relocate to New York City in 2012 and to begin working in book publishing. Realizing that she wanted to work directly with people, Alison enrolled in a dual-degree program at Union Theological Seminary and the Columbia School of Social Work. Alison graduated in 2020 with her MDiv and MSW and is Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of New York. Alison lives with her husband in Queens.

Faith Is a Journey and a Person--3 Key Perspectives from Our Pastors:
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1. First, we believe Jesus means inclusivity. We're focused on the idea of "Solus Jesus" (or "Jesus alone”)—meaning that we believe he came to bring life in all its fullness to EVERYONE, including you! We think keeping our eyes on Jesus means discovering the true inclusive heart of faith.
   
   
2. Second, the River's pastors also see following Jesus as different than simply "following the Bible.” Have you ever felt a disconnect between what you believe and what you read in the Bible? You're not alone! Many of us grapple with how to interpret important Biblical texts without demeaning the lives and faith of women, sexual minorities, and others who have been traditionally marginalized in churches. Instead, we focus on following Jesus and his love for ALL people on this Earth.
   
   
3. Finally, we believe we’re all on a journey together to find God. We pastors don’t pretend to “have it all figured out” and we truly believe we can all learn from each other. We hope you'll stop by and discover the joy of pursuing “life in all its fullness” together.

Visit Our Church Today
If you want to learn more about our church community, contact one of our pastors or check out a sermon!

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