Riverside offers care opportunities for a variety of needs as well as opportunities to serve those in need. You may be starting a new life with Jesus, life may have brought unexpected challenges or you’re in a great place and have the ability to care for someone who needs help. Wherever you are, there are opportunities for you or someone you may know. Please scroll down for some opportunities to get involved and get support!
CARE
griefshare
Grieving the death of a loved one? A friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences; losing a loved one. Facilitated by people who've walked the road you are traveling; people who understand how you feel and can offer encouragement.
Wednesdays through May 7 @ the Big Lake Campus, 1pm
Cost: $20 (Scholarships available).
Register here.
life recovery
Life Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step group built to foster and encourage healthy recovery from all of life's ugliness. Designed for those who have experienced the effects of sin and separation from God in their lives. This may be drugs, alcohol, overeating, pornography, or any of the other numerous ways people experience disconnection from God. Join others in this warm environment where an intentional focus on Christ is foundational to recovery utilizing the proven 12-step approach. Weekly meetings consist of a step based teaching, a testimony, or medallion night.
Mondays @ the Big Lake Campus, 6:30pm
Tuesdays @ the Sauk Rapids Campus, 7pm
Register here
finances
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY (FPU)
Financial Peace University is a nine-lesson course that teaches you how to save for emergencies, pay off debt fast, spend wisely, and invest for your future. And no complicated financial blah blah blah over here. For over 25 years, Dave Ramsey’s been teaching commonsense, biblical money principles that work. Every time.
You can also do FPU on your own or with your family!
Cost: FREE! (Riverside's site license ends in May 31, 2025)
Register here.
THE LEGACY JOURNEY
Grow it. Live it. Share it. Living and leaving a legacy. This course doesn't replace FPU—you still need the nuts-and-bolts foundation for your money FPU provides. The Legacy Journey builds on that foundation. It's for those who want to know what's next once their families are free from debt. If FPU was God showing you how to wake up, The Legacy Journey is God showing you how to grow up. This class leads members into a deeper look at what the Bible has to say about wealth and gives them practical tools for managing their resources and living a generous life. The Legacy Journey will show you how to live a legacy now while preparing to leave a legacy for your children—and future generations to come. This is the class for those who want to finish strong!
When: After successful completion of Financial Peace University
Marriage / Divorce
THE MARRIAGE COURSE
The Marriage Course is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong home life. The Marriage Course is for couples looking for practical support to strengthen their relationship. The course is designed to help couples build strong foundations, learn to communicate more effectively and resolve differences well.
Mondays Mar 24 to May 5, 2025 @ the Big Lake Campus, 6:30pm (light meal served)
Mondays Mar 24 to May 5, 2025 @ the Buffalo Campus, 6:30pm (dessert served)
Thursdays Mar 27 to May 8, 2025 @ Riverside ONLINE, 7pm (pick up books at Big Lake Campus after registering or order online if out of area)
Cost: $15 (Scholarships available).
Registration closed for this session.
DIVORCECARE
DivorceCare’s life-changing support groups welcome people and guide them on the path of recovery after separation or divorce. Over 1 million people have found comfort and hope through this 13-week, video-based series. Find help. Discover hope. Experience healing.
Next sessions: Fall 2025
Cost: $20 (Scholarships available).
Registration coming late summer 2025
Car Care Days
Riverside offers a free oil change and basic maintenance, and counsels vehicle owners about the best way to care for and service their vehicles. This ministry is designed for single moms and widows local to each of our campuses. Registration opens shortly before each event. Upcoming dates include:
Servants on Standby (S.O.S.)
Servants on Standby (S.O.S.) is a team of volunteers "standing by" to respond to immediate one time, or short term needs of the Riverside body and community, thereby showing the love of Jesus Christ by helping in practical ways.
Counseling
While Riverside does have staff members who are available for spiritual consultation and premarital counseling, we do not have a trained psychologist on staff. There may be times when the concern or issue you share suggest professional counseling could best help you as you take next steps in healing. Here is a list we can recommend as a place for you to start your search finding a counselor best suited for your needs and personality.
Center for Family Counseling (Dave Olmscheid)
Monticello | 1.844.221.1191 | Web
Tollefson Counseling Service (Barb Tollefson)
Monticello | 763.295.3207 | Web
Solace Counseling Associates (Deborah Peterson)
Delano | 612.584.1153 | Web
Family Counseling Center (Mark Pederson)
Buffalo | 763.682.5420 | Web
The Center for Family Counseling
St. Cloud | 320.253.3540 | Web
Hanson Associates LLC (Gary & Joy Hanson)
Maple Grove | 763.533.5339 | Web
Levang and Associates (Curt Levang)
St. Louis Park | 952.541.4799 | Web