Our History

In 1995, God planted a vision for a vibrant ‘Acts 2’ church in the heart of Troy Beer - Riverside’s founding Pastor – while he was studying at Hillsong Bible College. It was clear that God was stirring up a gift of evangelism in him, and His desire to see a community come to know their loving Saviour.

Troy, in partnership with the Wesleyan District Superintendant Lex Akers, started cultivating the soil for a church called Riverside. Riverside was to be a church firmly planted by the river of living water talked about in Ezekiel 47:1-12. A church that would know the fullness of the abundant life that Jesus came to give us all, and a church that would reach a community with a message of hope.

As passion’s fire spread to other hearts, Troy gathered around him a core team of people committed to the cause of Christ. Lex met with this team for three years while Troy and his wife Jenni travelled to the USA to gather resources and support. Upon returning in Jan 1999, Riverside began meeting in homes and lounge rooms of those core members with 19 people, including those who would eventually begin an awesome youth group. After a couple of months, Riverside was opened to the public when it gathered for the first time in Kruger Hall; a little country building in Kallangur.

God’s Church never stays stagnant, and after 18 months Riverside exceeded the capacity of that little hall, and moved to a larger facility on Brays Rd. This was a step of faith, fueled by the excitement of seeing God’s promises fulfilled, and the joy of seeing people come to know Jesus.
After just two years, Riverside had grown to the point where our next relocation was the Goodfellows Rd Shopping Complex. Renting the entire complex, we now had sufficient space for our services, as well as youth and kids areas, staff offices, kitchen facilities, and ground space for outdoor activities and outreach events.

In twelve months time, Riverside felt God’s leading to purchase the shopping centre; an investment which after a further two years provided us with the capitol required to sell it again and purchase our currently facilities debt-free.

Riverside continues to have a bright and inspiring future. Why not come and join us as we press on towards the goal, and see our community come to know Jesus.