River Valley Church - Crosstown Campus — Attraction in Minnetonka

As much as it pains me to write this, I recommend you find another church to call home, for the sake of your family and your future.

After a marital separation, I learned very quickly the church doesn't hold to the biblical view of marriage. And during times of difficulty, don't expect solid biblical counsel or sacrificial service. During one counseling session with Pastor Anthony Richards, we were told, "I don't know that there's much hope for you."

Our situation didn't include adultery or abuse. It certainly wasn't beyond hope. Yet our "marriage mentors" and the pastor did very little to help, and by their actions, only moved us closer to divorce. Even the worship pastor, who I had considered a good friend, was told by Pastor Anthony to "stay away until things died down." Unfortunately he took that advice. That response sounds frighteningly familiar to that of the religious elite in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It's much easier to walk around the dying man than to come to his aid.

The Gospel isn't an emotional elixir to excite the masses and raise funds for new building projects. It isn't a feel-good message to warm our hearts on Sundays and fuel our upper middle class ambitions. It IS a hope of communion with a sacrificial King. And it should propel us into the deepest, darkest brokenness of the world with the Message that no matter what evil you face, what suffering you endure, what pain you feel, there is One who has faced it all. And His power does not fail.

I have since found rich biblical teaching and a loving community at Wooddale Church. They also provide referrals to professional, biblical counseling. Understandably, every church will have shortcomings. But we should be on guard against teaching that disintegrates the family. I sincerely pray River Valley will grow in it's understanding and support of the covenant...

I have spent years looking for a church home in MN and I have finally found it. I grew up in a small non-denominational church, got plugged in quickly when I moved to a new state for college, and really struggled to get connected when I made the move to MN for work. I'm beyond thankful that I was invited to River Valley - Crosstown 6 months ago.

River Valley - Crosstown Campus is a community of people that truly lives out what they preach. Every time I walk through the doors of this campus I feel welcomed and like I belong. There are dozens of lifegroups to get involved in and, if you're like me and struggle with getting connected to the right group of people, they also have their Core Groups and a connections pastor to help you find where you best belong.

Everybody belongs at River Valley; you are welcome and you...

I haven't been to church in years, but I've been craving that connection again so finally worked up the courage to go on my own. I was longing to feel God's love again. I was shocked when the white male pastor started off the sermon talking about abortion (which had nothing to do with the actual topic he was supposed to be preaching on)! A white male has no right talking about abortion when he's never had to make that choice for himself. I was so disgusted over the fact of mixing religion with politics... stay in your lane and talk about God! Such an unwelcoming and judgmental environment. I will...