THE LEGACY CONTINUES

 

Over 10 years ago, the Lord put it on Pastor Bobby’s heart to plant Riverbend Church. Year after year, we have undoubtedly seen the faithfulness of God. We have seen souls saved, lives healed, families strengthened, leaders equipped, missionaries sent, disciples made, and more! Creating a legacy is in our DNA. It’s who we are! 

As part of this legacy, Pastor Bobby’s desire has always been to raise up and hand off a healthy church to his “next”. 

On September 10th, 2023, Pastor Bobby announced that after a decade of faithful service as Lead Pastor of Riverbend Church, he will begin a year-long transition plan to pass the baton to our current Associate Pastor of Student Ministries, Josh Liotta. 

In this season, we celebrate both what God has done and what He has yet to do at Riverbend Church and in the community! 

 

ABOUT PASTOR JOSH

 

Josh and his wife, Rachel, with their daughter, Addilyn, and dog, Marcie.

Being raised in a strong Christian home and a solid local church is what anchored Pastor Josh for his calling into ministry as a young man. This clear calling propelled him to pursue his education at Regent University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry while also active as a Campus Ministries Outreach Coordinator and Resident Assistant. He has served on over ten mission assignments both foreign and domestic. Including places like Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nashville (TN), and Panama City (FL). As a youth pastor/leader, Josh’s ministry experience has touched the lives of young people in three churches –currently as the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at Riverbend Church. While at Riverbend Church from 2016 to present, God has blessed his faithfulness with a growing and impactful ministry to young people. Many of the students he has led are following Jesus in various Christian/public colleges and leading with influence across the region. Pastor Josh is ordained through Vanguard Ministries and is recognized for his integrity, servant leadership, and clear commitment to the gospel.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Though Pastor Bobby will be transitioning out of the role of lead pastor, he will continue to be a member and active participant at Riverbend Church. He will continue to serve as an advisor and teach occasionally from the pulpit. Because we are a member church of Vanguard Ministries, he will also serve as an apostolic overseer for our church.

  • No, our leadership team of Pastors and Elders have been in full agreement with the current changes.

  • Yes, the leadership is in unity with this decision. Our elder team worked closely and in unanimity with Pastor Bobby during the past two years in planning and executing this transition. They have been focused on diligent prayer and fasting which has marked our elders’ engagement with the transition process.

  • Riverbend Church is committed to a full-year transition from September 2023 to September 2024. This time will be intentionally focused on preparing Pastor Josh to fully assume the role of Lead Pastor. Pastors Bobby and Josh will be intentionally and visibly leading our teams and church forward over the next 12 months.

  • Both Pastor Bobby and Pastor Josh are planning the future of Riverbend with the new building project in sight. The elders have approved Phase II that will involve fundraising and breaking ground on a new worship center. More information can be expected soon.

  • Pastor Bobby has been seeking God for his successor for 5-6 years with an inner confidence that God’s timing and selection would be revealed. His hope was that a gifted and qualified successor would be identified from within our church. After much prayer, fasting, discussions and counsel God made His selection clear. This has been a spiritual decision grounded in the wisdom and experience of our Sr. Pastor.

  • As Pastor Bobby calls it, he’s re-firing. In this new season, Pastor Bobby plans to focus on a number of ministry goals and projects while still being vitally connected to Riverbend Church.

  • No, there are not any moral, doctrinal, or health concerns that contributed to this decision. It is simply an obedient response to the Lord’s purposes, and plans for Riverbend Church. God’s will and timing have been the driving impetus for the decision.

  • Our church will continue to be part of Vanguard Ministries. Riverbend Church will remain Pastor Bobby’s home church. Our church has developed spiritual and strategic relationships with seasoned and respected ministers from around the world. These relationships are expected to continue…and new connections are expected under Pastor Josh’s leadership.

  • Pastor Josh has served in ministry at various capacities for over ten years. He has proven to our church leadership that his character, consistency, and calling from the Lord all line up with what is expected of a lead pastor to successfully assume this role. Pastor Josh models what the scripture explains as a shepherd for a local church.

  • These transitions in ministry leadership have been fostered with the same weight and intention as the lead pastor transition. Both ministries have been carefully planned with leaders already in place. Khai Talavera will lead River Youth and John & Cristan Lin will lead The Well. We will be commissioning the new leaders on Sunday, September 17th.

  • While the DNA of the church will not fundamentally change, Pastor Josh will be seeking God for exciting dreams and vision for our future.

  • Yes. With God’s provision and a proven infrastructure in place, we have the financial stability to weather potential attrition. However, we are asking God for His favor on this transition…we are confident in His plans to prosper this decision.

  • No. It is our full intention to keep in place our current Elders, Deacons, and Ministry staff. The most important changes will be new additions to these important leadership positions as the Lord directs and the demands of RBC grows.