Small Groups

Freedom | Eagan Fall 2023

Eagan

Monday

Leader

Josiah Christian

Freedom | Faribault Fall 2023

Faribault

Tuesday at 6:30 PM

Freedom | Minnetrista Fall 2023

Minnetrista

Monday at 6:00 PM

Freedom is a Core Group that equips you to live a victorious faith. Sometimes, we are simply unaware of lies we believe and wrong patterns of thinking that keep us stuck. In this group, you will discover how to move forward to greater freedom in your life, faith, and future by taking a deeper look at your identity in Christ. Freedom will start on Monday, September 18 from 6:00-8pm in our River Valley Kids auditorium. Freedom will meet for 9 weeks, ending on November 13. Childcare will be provided on a limited basis. A separate registration will be required for childcare.

Leader

Jay Lewis

Freedom | Shakopee Fall 2023

Shakopee

Monday at 6:30 PM

Freedom is a Core Group that equips you to live a victorious faith. Sometimes, we are simply unaware of lies we believe and wrong patterns of thinking that keep us stuck. In this group, you will discover how to move forward to greater freedom in your life, faith, and future by taking a deeper look at your identity in Christ. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided each week. Free childcare will be offered with limited capacities on a first come, first serve basis. Registration will be required for each child individually which will secure a spot in childcare for the whole Freedom session. The childcare registration link will be posted soon!

Leader

Mark Bettenga

Global Heart & Global Food

Apple Valley

Friday at 6:00 PM

About once a month, we will meet at an ethnic restaurant in the Twin Cities metro area to share a meal from the cuisine of an international culture. As we swap stories, ideas, and encouragements for how we each can live on mission with a cross-cultural mindset, no matter where we may live, we know God will expand our hearts for people made in His image around the world! We will also take time to pray for the nation/region of origin for the restaurant's ownership. Join this group to receive updates for the next scheduled dates and locations of global meals! We will try to meet on different days of the week to accommodate a variety of schedules.

Leader

Ruth Steinke

Serve Our Community

Good Neighbor Team | Collins

Apple Valley

The Good Neighbor program exists to empower the church to walk alongside refugees and immigrants with the love of Christ. Good Neighbors befriend refugees and asylum seekers by providing practical support and life skills to those who have been forced to flee their homelands. Our team will walk alongside a family for one year. Some of our responsibilities will be: * Welcome newly-arriving refugee family through Arrive Ministries’ Reception and Placement program. * Be one of the first faces to greet this family upon their arrival at the airport. * In partnership with the family’s case manager wewill have the opportunity to assist with appointments and help the family learn local systems, all while extending friendship to our newest neighbors. *Come alongside a refugee or immigrant family already living in Minnesota. * Provide support to families seeking asylum.

Leader

Nicole Collins

Grief & Loss

Shakopee

Saturday at 8:30 AM

This small group is created for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, who has wrestled with questions such as "God, do you see me?," "God, why are you silent?," "What is the good in this?" This is a safe space to connect with others at River Valley Church who are grieving the loss of loved ones, pray for each other about the difficult and disappointing times we've faced and are continuing to face, and learn to lament in a Biblical way. We will be meeting once or twice a month over coffee and light breakfast. Grief and loss can feel so isolating, but God does not want us to walk it out alone. We would love to walk alongside you and together seek God amidst the joy and sorrow! Kids are welcome to come -- there will be unstructured play time.

Leader

Liz Overson

Grief Share

Eagan

Tuesday at 6:30 PM

Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts, and we want to help. Join Rachel & Ernie Holmquist to watch GriefShare videos and discuss together. Group starts April 4 and runs until June 27. What is GriefShare? Check out this video -- https://vimeo.com/99649382

Leader

Rachel Holmquist

Hanna’s Small Group | Women

Maple Grove

Thursday at 6:30 PM

This group is designed to get into God's Word, grow in your relationship with Jesus and connect to others. We will read the Bible together following River Valley's SOAP method. We can't wait to get to know you!

Leader

Hanna Lewis

Hannah’s Hope

Shakopee

Wednesday at 5:30 PM

This is a safe place to process and pray through child loss and infertility struggles 1 Samuel 1:19-20 Samuel Is Born 19 The family got up early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord. Then they returned to their house in Ramah. Elkanah lay with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 The Lord made it possible for her to have a child, and when the time came she gave birth to a son. She gave him the name Samuel, saying, “I have asked the Lord for him." Samuel's Hope: A group of prayer warriors believing that God will make it possible for them to have a child. We will be asking God to remember us, just as he did Hannah in 1 Samuel, and to bring us a child. This group was created to be a source of encouragement, prayer support, and safe place to share. It's for women who have a desire to have children, but are facing obstacles. It's a place where we as women will stand together and ask God to make it possible. We will ask God to remember us and give us sons and daughters to raise to honor Him. The plan - to commit every Monday to a time in prayer for each other

Leader

Alicia Fratzke

Heart for the Nations Prayer

Maple Grove

Saturday

God has called River Valley Church to raise up 500 or more missionaries and send them out across the world. Our heart is global because that is the heart of Jesus! Whether you go as one of the 500 or not, we each have a part to play. You might be wondering what your part is and that is why we have this group. You are invited into this space to begin to pray; pray for the 500, pray for people that need to know Jesus, pray for the world, and pray for how God wants to use you. As you pray, God will soften your heart, empower you and give you the courage to take your next step. We will meet once a month.

Leader

Brit Carson

Humble Love

Shakopee

Tuesday at 9:30 AM

Humble love is a weekly gathering for women of all ages. There are no prerequisites. You are welcome if you have never heard the name Jesus, you are welcome regardless of religion and you will not be judged by your background. Each week we will come together to love and encourage each other. We will gather on June 13 and meet weekly through August 15. We will not be doing a formal study. There will be a combination of live teachings, videos, testimonials, worship time and prayer. My desire is that you will invite others. Let us be a group of women that look outward, that meet others exactly where they are at and love one another with humble hearts.

Leader

Jennifer Hentges

Idols of the Heart: Women’s Summer Study

Crosstown

Tuesday at 6:30 PM

What makes your life feel purposeful and meaningful? What consumes your thoughts? What do you run to for comfort or relief from stress? What demands your time? What are your plans, agendas, strategies and intentions designed to accomplish? Idolatry is a major theme of the Bible, mentioned 254 times! Because we think of idolatry as an ancient way of worshiping gods, we tend to miss the idols in our modern lives. An idol is anything that becomes more important to us than God. Things like identity, money, status, security, approval, appearance, entertainment, health, comfort, phones/technology, family/kids and influence can become idols in our lives. In this study, you will learn potential idols in your life and how to turn from them. We will meet outside on the patio on 7 Tuesdays nights (May 30, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 15 & 29) from 6:30-8:30pm to discuss the book, "More Than Anything: Loving God Above Everything Else" from The Daily Grace Co. Everyone will receive a copy of the book on the first night and should come ready to discuss a 3-page lesson each of the following meetings. We will memorize a verse and share prayer requests each meeting. Hope you can join us this summer!

Leader

Angie Lundeen

Young AdultAdult

Intercessory Prayer | Apple Valley 2023

Apple Valley

Wednesday

A spirit-led prayer class. Learn to hear and obey God's voice, experience His presence, intercede for what is on His heart, decree His work, and yield to the Holy Spirit as we partner with Him in prayer. Intercessory Prayer will happen on campus (14898 Energy Way, Apple Valley) at 630pm in the Family Auditorium. Childcare is not provided

Leader

Keith Peterson

Iron Sharpeners

Crosstown

Friday at 6:30 AM

Come together as men Friday mornings from 6:30 to 7:30 AM. As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen each other through studying the Bible and discussing how we apply it to our lives today. We'll be running through Paul's journeys in Acts and reading through his letters chronologically. Just bring a Bible!

Leader

Randy Stevens

Jarad and Josh’s Small Group

Maple Grove

Wednesday at 8:00 PM • Virtual

This group is designed to get into God's Word, grow in your relationship with Jesus and connect to others. We will focus on becoming stronger and more Godly Dads together.

Leader

Jarad Watts

MenPromise Principle

Jaron Crim’s Small Group

Maple Grove

Thursday at 6:45 AM

This group is designed to get into God’s Word, as well as connect and converse with other men of God. Each week we’ll catch up with one another to see how God is moving in our lives, build strong community amongst one another, offer words of encouragement and challenge each other to pursue Jesus with a greater desire! We can't wait to get to know you!

Leader

Jaron Crim

Welcome Home

Jim + Sandy | Welcome Home

Chaska

Wednesday at 7:00 PM

We are excited to take ground in Chaska! As a campus, we are going to start strong with welcome home groups to capture the heart, culture and forward momentum of what God is doing within you and our Church. You were created for a purpose and we want to help you discover what that is. You will build community, understand how God made you and dive deeper in your walk with Jesus. We can’t wait to meet you!

Leader

Sandy Eastling

Marriage

Jimmy + Stefany’s Small Group | Married Couples

Maple Grove

Thursday at 6:30 PM

Leader

Stefany Gapp

John + Sally’s Small Group

Maple Grove

Tuesday at 6:30 PM

Leader

Sally Hastings

Koffee at Kyle’s

Minnetrista

Wednesday at 6:30 AM

Join us each week as we spend time reviewing what we learned from Sunday's message. We discuss the message, the lessons and how we can apply them throughout the week. Between Wednesdays we often connect to pray for and encourage one another. If for some reason, we are unable to meet in Kyle's garage, we meet at Mocha Monkey in St. Bonifacius.

Leader

Kyle McDonough

Lawn Chair Small Group

City

Thursday at 7:00 PM

The goal of this small group is to enjoy the Minnesota Summer and unpack the show The Chosen together. Each week we will watch an episode (with each other outside of Thursdays or on your own) and discuss what happened along with the biblical context. The remaining time will be for yard games, walks, picnics, beach hangs, outdoor sports, etc - building community while enjoying the weather! We will meet at parks centrally located for the majority of people when the weather permits - so bring a lawn chair or blanket if you have it! If the weather does not allow to be outside, we will meet at Ashley or Sydney’s house. Looking forward to hanging with you and spending more time outside together! Let us know if you have any questions at all.

Leader

Ashley Holeton

Family

Life Is Better Together

Faribault

Sunday at 1:00 PM

Meeting twice a month for a post church potluck with sledding or board games to follow, weather dependant. (Will be approximately every other week) (Edited) It has been requested that we continue as the weather warms. We will be enjoying board games and an option of hiking or yet to be determined outdoor option. Bring your tasty Sunday dinner to share, dishes for your family, sledding gear or games and enjoy doing life with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Leader

Kristina Werner

Lisa + Marty’s Small Group

Maple Grove

Wednesday at 7:00 PM

This group is designed for the Freedom study. We want to get into God's Word, grow in your relationship with Jesus and connect to others. We can't wait to get to know you!

Leader

Lisa Sutherland

Luke Study by Lisa Harper

Crosstown

Monday at 6:30 PM

Looking forward to having fellowship with women who are looking for a community to dig into God’s word. Summary: Woven throughout the Gospel according to Luke is that perfection is not a prerequisite for a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. In fact, this riveting account reveals that Jesus is especially fond of ragamuffins in need of a safe place to lean in and linger! Join Lisa Harper in this Bible study of a literary masterpiece that doesn’t celebrate the elite, but embraces the outliers, outcasts, and overlooked! Study guide to be purchased at first meeting. Approximately $15-$20 depending on size of group.

Leader

Melissa Rushton

Matthew Precept Inductive Bible Study

Crosstown

Wednesday at 6:45 PM

This will be an 16-week study of the Gospel of Matthew in two parts. Precept is an inductive in-depth Bible study method including self-study and weekly group discussion. It is a global ministry based out of Chattanooga, TN and founded by Jack and Kay Arthur in 1970. Matthew is the first of the four gospels, originally directed to a Jewish Christian audience. Participants should purchase their own workbooks directly from the Precept website at precept.org/Shop/By book of the Bible/New Testament/Matthew/Precept Upon Precept or In-and-Out/ESV or NASB Workbook/Part 1. You can choose either the Precept Upon Precept study requiring about 5 hours of private study time per week ($15.75) or the In-and-Out method requiring about 2.5 hours per week ($12.25). Allow 7-10 days for workbook delivery. Our first meeting on 2/15 will just be group member introductions and a review of the Precept study method. Our first real lesson will be on 2/22.

Leader

Mark Urban

Family

Meal Train Ministry

Shakopee

We are looking for people who love to cook and bless others with meals who can be part of Shakopee Campus's Meal Train Ministry! From time to time, we receive requests for Meal Trains to be organized for families who are transitioning with a new baby in their home, for those who are recovering from illnesses, or those who are overwhelmed with life's challenges or a recent family death. Do you love to cook and want to use your culinary talents to bless others in this way? Then join our Meal Train Ministry to be added to the email list and get notified when meals are needed for a Shakopee Campus family! Thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

Leader

Mark Bettenga

Serve Our Community

Meals Ministry

Apple Valley

This group is for those who wish to bless others by making a meal. When a family is facing a challenging situation (whether a new baby, health diagnosis, emergency, etc.) and could use some support, my desire is to help provide some meals. When a need arises, I will create a meal train schedule & send it out to all members. You do not need to participate for every need - you can choose what works for you! My goal is to grow the group to easily provide for any need without relying too heavily on any member. This is not a typical small group & will not be meeting together.

Leader

Rachel Akslen