What We Believe
We welcome families from more than 70 churches in the greater Elgin area.
What unites us is a shared set of biblical convictions that shape everything — from how we teach to how we treat each other.
We are not looking for perfect families. We are looking for families who share this foundation and want to build on it together.
God
We believe in one God, who is eternal, holy, just, wise, good, and loving. He exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). God is the sovereign Creator of the universe, and by His power He sustains and rules over all that He has made.
Salvation In Christ
We believe that salvation comes only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His shed blood provides the only basis for justification before God. All who believe in Him and confess Him as Savior and Lord are born of the Holy Spirit and become children of God (John 1:12; John 3:3, 16).
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer in Christ, empowering them to live godly and righteous lives (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is our final standard for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Humanity and Sin
We believe that God created humanity, male and female, in His image (Genesis 1:27). Through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin entered the world, and as a result, all people are born sinful and in need of salvation (Romans 5:12).
The Return of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will return to judge the living and the dead and to bring renewal to all creation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Our Beliefs on Key Social Issues
We believe that every part of life must be understood in the light of God’s Word. Cultural movements and societal standards cannot replace or override the truth of Scripture. Based on our understanding of the Bible, we hold the following convictions:
The Sanctity of Human Life
Every person is created in the image of God. Human life is sacred from conception, and we are called to protect and defend it (Psalm 139).
Marriage and Sexual Activity
Marriage is established by God as a covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-25). Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage. Therefore, premarital sex, cohabitation, adultery, and homosexual activity are outside God’s design.
Gender
God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct and complementary sexes together reflect His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Denying one’s God-given biological sex is outside of God’s created design.
Who We Are
Mission & Vision
Have Questions?
We know these are important topics and we’re always happy to talk more. Our team is here to help your family discern if River Valley is the right fit.