Who are we?
River of Life is a loving, worshipping community. We are located in the foothills of North Carolina, in the small town of Valdese.
We are intentional in our priorities of The Word and worship. It is our desire that everything we do glorifies God, edifies believers, and impacts lives.
Our Pastoral Team
Allen and Regina King
The Kings have served as lead pastors at River of Life since 2002. They have four daughters, and three grandchildren.
Allen started preaching at the age of 17. He has ministered as an evangelist, musician, youth pastor, and lead pastor. He is an author, and has a weekly podcast, "OutFlow with Allen King", which is available on most podcast platforms.
Regina also serves as the Minister of Music. She is an ordained minister, and a tremendous teacher.
Michael and Heather Ward
Michael and Heather have two sons, Dakota and Elijah. They have been in ministry throughout their marriage.
The Wards have a passion for ministry. They operate Jethro's, a community and discipleship center, located in Valdese.
Michael serves as Associate Pastor at River of Life. Heather serves as Director of Assimilliation. Together, Michael and Heather also direct our church's youth ministries.
They are very involved in our community, working through outreach ministries. Heather serves as an elected member of the Valdese Town Council.
Jeff and Kim Turner
Jeff and Kim serve as our Children's Pastors. They are incredibly committed to their ministry to children.
They share decades of children's ministry. Their compassion for kids, as well as their desire for them to learn about Jesus and to live for Christ is evident.
Jeff and Kim have two sons, and one daughter. They are also both involved in the church's music ministry.
What We Believe
River of Life Church believes the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God. The Church of God has adopted the following Declaration of Faith as its standard and official expression of its doctrine.
*In the verbal inspiration of the Bible
*In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
*That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
*That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
*That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
*In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
*Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.
*In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
*In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
*In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
*Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
*In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.
*In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
*In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.