River Family,
There are moments in life (well, all of them really, but) when you can only stand in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Ashley and I experienced one of those moments this week. After many months of prayers, waiting, no children, 2 children, loss, uncertainty, court hearings, and trusting the Lord one day at a time, the judge officially granted permission for us to move forward with adopting the little boy who has completely captured our hearts. While there are still a few important legal steps ahead, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for how God has gone before us every step of the way.
Thank you.
Thank you for praying when you didn’t know all the details. Thank you for encouraging us on hard days. Thank you for loving our family so well. Your kindness has reminded us what the Church is supposed to look like—a family, crawling in the foxhole and carrying one another’s burdens, and celebrating God’s victories together.
This journey has also reminded me of something beautiful about the gospel. Every one of us who belongs to Christ has been adopted into God’s family. We were once strangers, separated by our sin, but because of Jesus we have been welcomed, loved, chosen, and given the full rights of sons and daughters (Ephesians 2:13-14). Adoption isn’t just something Christians do—it is something God has done for us.
As we’ve walked this road, we’ve seen the Father’s heart more clearly than ever. It also makes me think about what God is doing here at The River.
Our MAKE ROOM initiative has never simply been about renovating buildings or improving property. It’s about making room for people. It’s about creating spaces where children hear about Jesus, where students discover purpose, where marriages are strengthened, where families find hope, and where people who feel far from God find a place to belong.
In many ways, adoption and MAKE ROOM tell the same story. One family opens their home to welcome another child. One church opens its doors wider to welcome another family. Both require sacrifice. Both require faith. Both are worth it.
Every gift you’ve given and every prayer you’ve prayed is helping prepare a place where future generations will meet Jesus. Somewhere down the road, a child will hear the gospel in one of those refreshed rooms. A teenager will surrender their life to Christ. A struggling marriage will be restored. Someone who believes they have no place will discover they have a family in Christ.
That’s why we MAKE ROOM.
Not because we need a better building—but because people matter to God. As we continue toward the completion of our adoption and toward the completion of the MAKE ROOM project, I want to ask you to keep praying. Pray that God continues to provide. Pray for the workers. Pray for every family who will one day walk through our doors. Pray that every square foot of this campus would become a place where lives are transformed by the gospel. See, pray, and GIVE with us!
We truly believe the best days of The River are still ahead. Thank you for believing in the vision. Thank you for making room. And thank you for loving our family so well.
We love you deeply and are grateful to serve alongside you.
Pastor Brent & Ashley Warren