Our Story
Our Origins
River West Church began in 1989 when a small group of Christians gathered to pray that God would transform their lives and their community in a special way. God is still answering that prayer today. What began as a small prayer gathering soon became the planting of a new, non-denominational Christian church. Pastor Guy Gray, along with his wife Maureen and their three children, answered the call to come and shepherd this tiny new church plant. The story that has unfolded from that prayerful beginning is a story of God’s grace and love at work in many lives.
River West Name
The name “River West” was chosen because of a promise from the book of Isaiah: “Forget the former things and do not dwell on the past. Look, I am doing a new thing! I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18–19)
Just as a river is a flowing, renewing source of life, we believe the life of our church should reflect that same reality. God is always at work, by His grace, bringing newness of life into the wastelands of our world. The story of River West Church is not ultimately the story of an organization or a building. It is the story of people whose hearts have been captured by Jesus Christ.
In many ways, the story of River West Church is the weaving together of many personal stories of faith in Christ: stories of rescue and reconciliation, despair turned to hope, guilt met with forgiveness, and bitterness swallowed up by joy. Every story is unique. Some came to faith later in life, while others responded as children after witnessing the love and faith of Christ in their homes. None of our stories are finished. There are still struggles and setbacks and breakthroughs yet to come. But through them all, one truth remains: Jesus is the hero of every story.
Present Day
Over the years, River West Church has grown into a vibrant community of faith. Along the way, we have experienced many seasons of change. For more than a decade, we were a mobile church, setting up each week in auditoriums and school cafeterias throughout Southwest Portland. In time, our growing church family secured a property and put down roots in Lake Oswego. Through every season and every transition, the heart and mission of River West Church have remained the same: We are building a community of Christ for the world.
Learn more about the core commitments and beliefs that shape our community.
