How it all started...

1981-1986
It was 1981 when the Lord first gave us the scripture in Isaiah 54:2-3, (enlarge the place of our tent). Now, we feel The Lord is leading us to enlarge our tent, to be stretched and not hold back, lengthen our chords and strengthen our stakes. Our heart's desire is to partner and participate with the Lord locally, nationally and internationally in discipling and church planting, in seeing the Kingdom of God come.

In 1982, Riverside Church began as a small gathering in Macduff.  It was led by Joe & Yvonne Ewen and Alan & Winifred Parsons and hosted in Joe's home.

Seeking to follow the vision of a vibrant, Spirit led local Church, others joined and we began meeting in Macduff Town Hall.

Early Growth

1986-2000
We saw many great things happening and continued to grow.  We moved to Macduff Primary School and were joined by people from Buckie and Elgin.

During these years, the Lord deepened our relationship with Him and with one another.  Our understanding of His Kingdom grew and with it, the vision for a network of local churches with a heart for the World.

The Riverside Church Network was established with the planting of Riverside Christian Church, Buckie & Elgin City Church. Our vision statement became "We will go to every town, city, village and country area where Jesus calls us to go."

As three congregations in Banff, Buckie and Elgin, we began to see the vision become a reality.

Putting Down Roots 

2001 - 2013

In 2001, we purchased Harvest Centre, Banff, where we have seen God move and the ministry thrive including youth work, a Food Bank and the Well Cafe.  In 2010, a refurbished town centre property in Buckie became Riverside Christian Centre, an ideal base from where the Church ministers into the community.

2013 saw the opening of Harvest Centre, Elgin where God again blessed us with a prime location for reaching out into the community.  Then a further fulfillment of our vision came with the planting of River Church, Aberdeen - a small group of people with a big heart to share God's love.

Building and Releasing 

2014 -2016

Opened in 2014, Harvest Centre Trinity, a £400,000 Church restoration in Banff is now a vital part of our ministry.  Our heart is for our local communities, our nation and the nations of the world.  

As we look to the future, we released Riverside Church Buckie to pursue their vision of building 'Church in the community and community in the Church' whilst reaffirming our vision of vibrant, Spirit led local Churches as we become the River Churches.

Our Journey continues 

2016 -Present

In 2016, Senior Leader of the Antioch Movement, Jimmy Seibert, came to Banff to receive the River Churches into the Antioch Movement.  

Antioch is a global family of churches committed to Jesus and His purposes. We value encountering God, life-on-life discipleship and missions through the local church. We are reaching the nations through church-planting and discipleship movements. We see this as a positive step for the furthering of the gospel.

Check out the link above to learn more about the Antioch Movement of churches.

Learn More about the Antioch movement

Be a part of our story...

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10:30 am.