We can give our parents no higher compliment than to recognize how much their involvement and effort has contributed to our growth and development as sons and daughters. The quality of our lives stands in direct relationship to the love and investment they made in us.

This is certainly true for God as well. How we’re “wired,” the things we own, the place we live, the talents and gifts we have, the faith we rely on, and the love that fills us all comes from God. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God has a plan and story for each one of us. He also has a plan and story for churches as well. Looking back across the landscape of this congregation's history, it is clear that God has had and continues to have a wonderful plan and destiny for River’s Edge Community Church.

River’s Edge has been in existence and at its current location since 1960. At that time all of the surrounding property was orange groves, Bee Ridge Road was two lanes (now seven), and Beneva Road only went south from Bee Ridge.

The church was originally chartered as Holy Cross Lutheran Church and affiliated with the American Lutheran Church (ALC). In 1987, it became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the merger of several national Lutheran bodies. In 2004, the congregation moved its affiliation to the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, a denomination that focuses on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit and allows congregations the complete freedom to be led by the Spirit. In 2005, the name was changed from Holy Cross Lutheran Church to River’s Edge Community Church.

After many years of transformation and development, River’s Edge is now a genuine community church. Over time, God has written many chapters as he gracefully guided this church toward its destiny of being a Word centered, prayer driven, high integrity, Spirit-filled, biblical community that overflows with the love, joy, peace, and power of God!

As a community church, River’s Edge welcomes anyone who desires to know and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to grow in their faith and walk with God.