About Riverside
Our Story
For over 100 years it's been about God and His faithfulness. Beginning in about 1911 in some very rough conditions, some very brave and dedicated people formed this church in the middle of undeveloped land. Here we are today with a very diverse body of believers. Our backgrounds differ in many ways, but our purposes remain focused on the power of God, the redeeming work of His Son Jesus, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We believe the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God and that God has called us to share the Gospel (Good News) message.
Our Vision
Vision: "Know Christ and make Him Known"
God's Purposes for Riverside
> Experience God's Presence
> Bring the Good News of Jesus to our world
> Care for the needs of others
> Equip Believers
> Love Each Other
For Riverside Statement of Faith and other documents CLICK HERE.
Our affiliation is with Rosedale Network of Churches (Formerly CMC). For conference resources Click Here.
To contact us: Contact info
For over 100 years it's been about God and His faithfulness. Beginning in about 1911 in some very rough conditions, some very brave and dedicated people formed this church in the middle of undeveloped land. Here we are today with a very diverse body of believers. Our backgrounds differ in many ways, but our purposes remain focused on the power of God, the redeeming work of His Son Jesus, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We believe the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God and that God has called us to share the Gospel (Good News) message.
Our Vision
Vision: "Know Christ and make Him Known"
God's Purposes for Riverside
> Experience God's Presence
> Bring the Good News of Jesus to our world
> Care for the needs of others
> Equip Believers
> Love Each Other
For Riverside Statement of Faith and other documents CLICK HERE.
Our affiliation is with Rosedale Network of Churches (Formerly CMC). For conference resources Click Here.
To contact us: Contact info
Welcome to our new pastor Nate Musser and his wife Emily and children.
Pastor Nate Musser and his wife Emily, with their two little girls Opal and Eleanor, came to the
church at Riverside in January 2025. For Emily it’s like coming home, since she’s a hometown
girl, the daughter of Tom and Lyne Lutz. Nate came from Maryland to Michigan Tech for his
engineering degree. There in the UP, he met Emily, where she was involved with youth
ministries. They have continued to work with campus ministries at Michigan Tech and Northern
Michigan University, under the umbrella of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Nate is a “people person,” with a ready smile and relaxed manner. But more than that, he is a
man of deep faith who loves the Lord Jesus and is eager to share and walk the Way of Christ
with others. When asked what his passion is, he responded, “Guiding and encouraging people
into an ardent love for Christ and helping them learn to offer their full lives to him without
reservation.” Aside from that, he enjoys trail running, reading (especially anything Tolkien),
gardening, chess, music (guitar and piano), and trying new things.
church at Riverside in January 2025. For Emily it’s like coming home, since she’s a hometown
girl, the daughter of Tom and Lyne Lutz. Nate came from Maryland to Michigan Tech for his
engineering degree. There in the UP, he met Emily, where she was involved with youth
ministries. They have continued to work with campus ministries at Michigan Tech and Northern
Michigan University, under the umbrella of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Nate is a “people person,” with a ready smile and relaxed manner. But more than that, he is a
man of deep faith who loves the Lord Jesus and is eager to share and walk the Way of Christ
with others. When asked what his passion is, he responded, “Guiding and encouraging people
into an ardent love for Christ and helping them learn to offer their full lives to him without
reservation.” Aside from that, he enjoys trail running, reading (especially anything Tolkien),
gardening, chess, music (guitar and piano), and trying new things.
Former Pastor Ron Swartz (now retired)
Ron Swartz, our former lead pastor, (Retired November 2024) has been with us since the summer of 2006, when the family moved here from the Upper Peninsula. He and Lucretia (went to be with her Lord April 2022) have been married for 30+ years and are well able to understand the blessings and challenges that come with marriage and family. They love their five adult children and nine grandchildren.
Even more importantly, Pastor Ron loves the Lord. He walks with God, listens to the Holy Spirit, and follows Christ. He speaks truth to us, validated by the Scriptures. An excellent storyteller, his sermons are full of real life experiences. He is a man of thought and of prayer. He also enjoys this good earth, a former keeper of bees in the UP!
About the Church Name "Riverside"
In the days when the church was being formed, there was a river that ran about 1/4 mile away. (you can see it on Google Maps) This was the East branch of the Au Gres River. Since then, there have been some drain projects that have redirected the waters to different branches (Whitney drain project) to better manage waters in this area. This leaves the East Branch of the Au Gres pretty dry these days! .
In the days when the church was being formed, there was a river that ran about 1/4 mile away. (you can see it on Google Maps) This was the East branch of the Au Gres River. Since then, there have been some drain projects that have redirected the waters to different branches (Whitney drain project) to better manage waters in this area. This leaves the East Branch of the Au Gres pretty dry these days! .
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Sunday School (small groups), is an important part of the transforming work of God in us through His Word.
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For more information on the various ministries of Riverside, click here. We have active Children, Jr. Youth and Senior High Youth programs plus much more. Browse through the ministry tab to view some of these ministries.
Worship Includes acappella songs as well as many of the current worship songs that we know and love today. We have tried to maintain a balance of old and new worship songs.