About
We Believe Jesus Gives HopeWho We Are
River City Christian is a Sacramento Christian church seeking to know Jesus better and serve the needs of the Greater Sacramento Region and beyond. We believe that the Good News of Jesus is meant for everybody, regardless of race, background, social status, religious training, experiences, failures or triumphs. We believe the Bible is God’s Word, revealing His great love for the world and His plan for how we are to live in that world.
We often describe ourselves as a Christian church with a high standard of holiness but with a huge hand of grace. What that means is that while we sincerely aim to live good lives, we trust God to forgive us when we inevitably mess up along the way. We don’t pretend that we’ve got it all together or that we’ve got all the answers, but we do believe that Jesus gives us hope.
Our Purpose Statement: The purpose of River City Christian is to be a Mission Station: to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with every person everywhere and to grow and equip believers into fully devoted followers of Christ.
Our Purpose Statement:
The purpose of River City Christian is to be a Mission Station: to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with every person everywhere and to grow and equip believers into fully devoted followers of Christ.
What We Believe
Jesus
River City Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by the Creator to provide a way for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus accomplished this mission by suffering and dying on a cross and then coming back to life again. Jesus is both Savior and Lord and will someday come again.
The Bible
We believe the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word. As a church, we hold the Bible to be our authority for what we believe and for the direction of how we are to live our lives. We continually seek to better understand what God is saying to us through the Scriptures.
Salvation
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Because we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s perfection, a price had to be paid for our rejection of God. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins and we receive salvation when we accept His act of grace toward us.
Baptism
Baptism doesn’t save anyone, but the Bible teaches that when we become a follower of Jesus Christ we should be baptized. More important than the type of baptism is our heart’s desire to be obedient to the example of Jesus in being baptized.
Communion
The night before Jesus was crucified He shared a meal with his followers. He broke bread, gave it to them to eat, saying that it was His body broken for us. He also blessed a cup of wine, saying that it was His blood offered to cover our sins. Communion is the way we remember this meal. As a church family, we generally participate in communion once a month.
Eternity
We believe in an after-life. For those who have confessed their faith in Christ, the Bible teaches that we will live forever with God, enjoying His presence and worshiping Him forever. Those who refuse to accept Christ are, sadly, eternally separated from God.
Trinity
Admittedly, the concept of the Trinity is difficult for the human mind to comprehend, but we believe that God is three-in-one: God the Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior) and God the Spirit (Counselor). The Bible teaches that there is only one true God but He reveals Himself to us in these three persons.
Sin
In our culture we do not often talk about sin, but we believe that all human beings are disobedient to God and the rules He has set for how we are to live to please Him. Sin separates all of us from God, but Jesus offers us grace that can cover our sin and restore our relationship with God. At River City Christian, we often talk about the fact that God has a high standard of holiness but a huge hand of grace.
The Essentials
At River City Christian we have identified five essentials that we encourage all of our people to pursue in order to grow in their faith.
Worship
Worship is the act of focusing your heart on God. At River City Christian we worship on Sunday mornings through music, prayer and teaching.
Group Life
God created human beings to live in community. We know that being committed to some form of group life helps us connect not only with others but also with God.
Service
Following the example of Jesus Himself, we believe that serving others is vital to a genuine relationship with God. We express our love for God by loving others through acts of tangible service.
Other Places
Equipping
We offer classes and seminars several times a year which equip you with knowledge and skills necessary for becoming a more fully devoted follower of Christ
The Essentials
At River City Christian we have identified five essentials that we encourage all of our people to pursue in order to grow in their faith.
Worship
Worship is the act of focusing your heart on God. At River City Christian we worship on Sunday mornings through music, prayer and teaching.
Group Life
God created human beings to live in community. We know that being committed to some form of group life helps us connect not only with others but also with God.
Service
Following the example of Jesus Himself, we believe that serving others is vital to a genuine relationship with God. We express our love for God by loving others through acts of tangible service.
Other Places
Equipping
We offer classes and seminars several times a year which equip you with knowledge and skills necessary for becoming a more fully devoted follower of Christ
Worship Service
Styles + Times
Modern
Sundays at 10:00 & 11:30 a.m.
Classic
Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
We Love Meeting New People
Below is some information about questions you may have. Curious about something else? Contact the church office; we’d love to answer your questions!
“I’m New” Tent
The I’m New tent is our way of welcoming first time visitors as they arrive. Here you can meet a friendly member of our church, get info about our church ministries, and find out which way to go once you enter the church doors. We even have a gift exclusively for our new people so be sure to stop by and say “hi!”
Parking
If you are new to River City Christian, we’d like to welcome you with a great parking space. First-time guest parking is available near the entrance of the lobby and Worship Center. Just look for the “Guest Parking” sign. There is also plenty of handicapped parking for those who need it. Directions to River City Christian.
Service Styles
We have three services on Sunday mornings. Each service lasts about an hour and includes live worship and biblical teaching. The music at our Modern services (10:00 and 11:30 a.m.) is reflective of today’s popular genres while communicating the timeless truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The music at our Classic service (8:30 a.m.) is a mix of hymns and contemporary praise music. This service regularly features our choir, orchestral instruments, band and a vocal ensemble.
Family Room
A Family Room is available during all our worship services in Room 110. If your child is having a hard time sitting in the Worship Center, feel free to try out our Family Room. Let him or her run around while you watch the livestream of the service.
Programs for Kids
During the 8:30 a.m. service, our children’s ministry offers programs for kids nursery through Kindergarten, and during the 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. services, nursery through third grade. Look for the welcome teams at their Check-In stations with the light blue River City Kids t-shirts and they will be glad to show you and your child around. A special needs program is available during the 11:30 a.m. service only. Find out more.
Programs for Students
Students in grades 4-12 have programming designed specifically for their age group upstairs. Fourth and fifth-grade students meet in Room 212 during the 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. service. Middle school students meet in Room 213 during the 11:30 a.m. service. High school students meet at 10:45 a.m. in Room 214 for doughnuts before attending the 11:30 a.m. Modern worship service together. Find out more.
Diversity
River City Christian is a diverse church. You’ll find people of various backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and professions. People come with all kinds of church experiences (Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, etc.) while others come with no church experience at all. If you’ve been a Christian all your life, if you’re new to the faith, or if you’re still trying to figure out what you believe, you are welcome to join us!
Leadership & Staff
Jesse Smith
Senior Pastor
Mark Shetler
Executive Pastor
Josh Cagle
Executive Pastor of Next Gen Ministries
John Hunt
Executive Director of Church Administration
Aaron Brackney
Children’s Ministries Pastor
Rob Phillips
Student Ministries Pastor
Danny Langan
Club 45 Associate
Kay Perham
Student Ministries Associate
Matt Newton
Pastor of Growth Groups and Discipleship
Jeff Koons
Pastor of Men’s Ministries
René Miller
Director of Women’s Ministries
Dan Wade
Pastor of Congregational Care
Chris Alaways
Director of Worship
Faith Hom
Assistant Director of Modern Worship
Jim Plaskett
Director of Classic Worship
Ted Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Kellee Baker
Director of Church Events and Community Outreach
Amy Skoll
Director of Moms’ Ministries
Kelly McLallen
Cafe and Celebrate Recovery