Annual Report 2025

A Letter From Our Pastor

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” Colossians 1:15 (NLT)

The central heartbeat of our ministry this past year has been a simple yet profound vision: revealing the invisible God to a world that needs Him. We know that God doesn’t need our help, yet in His grace, He has sent His Spirit and invited us into a sacred partnership. By taking His Good News for all to the ends of the earth, we have the distinct honor of making the unseen seen. We do this when:  

  • We communicate Jesus through selfless love, putting the needs of others above our own.
  • We illustrate Jesus by walking in steady obedience, allowing His teachings to shape our daily rhythms.
  • We demonstrate Jesus at the intersection of our core values: Revere, Connect, and Contribute.

As we reflect His light, we strive to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. This isn't just theology – it is “faith that takes action” that responds to our community in recognizable, life-changing ways. 

In the pages of this annual report and on the website, you will see the evidence of our vision in action. You’ll find highlights and images of the invisible God becoming visible across every generation at Riverside – from our youngest children to our seasoned adults. I’m especially encouraged to celebrate 59 water baptisms, each representing a life transformed by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus! 

Our leadership team was thrilled to welcome Trae Aldridge, Josh Beadle, and Amy Grossman to the staff. Their dedication and unique giftings have already made a significant impact. I also want to express my deep personal thanks to our Board of Deacons—Don Greb, Tyler Nichols, Mark Schubert, Heidi Serventi, and Mike Wolf. Their prayers and guidance have been a pillar of support for me. 

Amie and I are truly honored to serve alongside you all. Let’s continue this year strong with a renewed commitment to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. 

With my gratitude,  

David Kennard // Lead Pastor  

BAPTISM

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." -Romans 6:4

February 2025

June 2025

October 2025

Our Year in Review

Each list is not comprehensive of the entire year, but highlights each ministry's commitment and execution of helping multigenerations find and follow Jesus. It's been a great year! 

  • Family Game Night
  • Kids of Steel
  • Serve the Burgh: Kids and Serve the Burgh: Family Editions
  • GLOW - 97 kids, 33 adult volunteers, and 5 nursery children
  • Bible Adventure Week (BAW) - 127 kids, 65 leaders, 31 kids came forward in salvation
  • Talk to Me parent course
  • The Call Cohort
  • Winter Retreat: Lights On - 84 students, 25 adult staff, 6 baptisms
  • Boost Nights - with a record 97 junior high students in attendance!
  • Beach Escape: Built Different - 80 students, 23 adult staff, 6 baptisms
  • Impact: Pittsburgh Dream Center - our first-ever Junior High Impact Trip
  • Third Space After School Program
  • Youth Abide Worship Night - a multilingual worship experience 
  • Focus on discipleship, evangelism, and community
  • Winter / Spring Series: Psalms of Ascent
  • Meal Nights
  • 2 baptisms
  • Impact: Cambodia, where six young adults served sacrificially
  • Fall Series: My Side of Iron, Carry the Water, and Worthy 
  • Continued Sunday Morning Discipleship Pathway involvement (Next Steps: New-to-Know, Ready-to-Grow, Let's Go!)
  • C-Groups to connect and contribute
  • Six Internships
  • Healthy Relationship Seminars and Pizza with the Pastors
  • Men's Retreat, She Is Conference
  • MySide of Riverside Rally
  • Eight Parent/Child Dedications
  • This year alone, Riverside celebrates 59 baptisms across two campuses and four ministries!
  • Students: 6 students were baptized at Winter Retreat, 10 at Beach Escape, and 11 during our February and October Sunday morning experiences. 
  • Young Adults: 2 young adults were baptized off-site during a special Table: Young Adults baptism event. 
  • Summer Baptism: our second summer baptism off-site in Oakmont celebrated 8 baptisms this year. 
  • Night of Worship
  • New AVL at both campuses

FOR the World

Pray, Serve, Give, Go

Committed $215,000 to Contribute to needs around us both near and far.

Global Outreach

  • Six Impact Trips: Honduras, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Cambodia, North Carolina, and Nepal
  • Care for Kids
  • One Day to Feed the World

Regional Outreach

  • 30+ Partnership Opportunities with 25 churches/organizations through the Side-by-Side Network
  • Serve the Burgh: The Blessing Board, Cheswick Christian Academy, Family Life Network, Operation Christmas Child

Local Outreach

  • Verona Community Meals
  • Food Drive
  • Operation October
  • Christmas Giving Tree

Local, Regional, and Global

One of our three core values is to CONTRIBUTE to the needs around us both near and far. When you give to Riverside Community Church, you are also supporting our local, regional, and global ministry partners. Click on any partner to visit their website for more information. Thank you for supporting our Riverside ministry partners!


In addition to financial partnership with these organizations, we actively Serve The Burgh through the outreach opportunities they provide. We encourage you to embrace our Contribute core value and get involved in these regional serving initiatives. Below are a few ideas to get you started. Contact the organizations directly to get involved.

Community dinners at Verona UMC
Semi-annual food and clothing drives
Anti-human-trafficking and social justice
Serve at The Blessing Board
Salvation Army Kettle Campaign
Visit homeless in Pittsburgh's Northside