Unleashing Spiritual Growth: Our Journey After the Fast

Hello everybody… we have had a busy couple of months!

We experienced our 21 day fast in January and God was stirring people up for His presence. During our church wide fast we enjoyed having Lisa Villarreal bringing us a message on Sunday and then an impromptu message that Sunday evening. She was a blessing and we enjoyed her heart and messages. The final week of the fast we had to cancel service because the roads were dangerously icy, so we ended our fast and had our mission lunch fundraiser the following week. Onedia and her family made us some wonderful Venezuelan food! It was great! Then we had our “Cup Cake” fundraiser for the youth… as they were raising funds for their summer camp. And Lyndsay Bolding did a mission trip to Africa, and had a wonderful experience with the children there and their community. So as I said, we have been busy!

We have seen God answer prayers on reconciling relationships, we have seen people in our fellowship stepping up to help others through some difficult times, and we have seen people in our fellowship be the family they needed in their time of need. It’s been beautiful to see so many of you giving of your selves and being the church!

I also want to thank all our volunteers that have been assisting Nicole with our youth fellowships and our senior high students. This has meant a great deal to these young people to know that you are there for them! And of course the meals for the youth and our college students! The young people are arriving hungry both physically and spiritually… and they are leaving having been filled in both areas! Thanks church for stepping up!

We have been praying as to how to continuing our pursuit of intimacy w/the Lord. So we will be moving our prayer time from Tuesdays mornings at 10:00 to Sunday evenings at 6:00. This is a time for us to enjoy exalting God with our worship… and coming to Him in prayer. Please join us so your soul can be refreshed, and God can enjoy some time with you!

Thanks for all your prayers for Melinda and me. We have moved into our home and are glad to have some elbow room to move around! There is still some remodeling work to do, but little by little we are getting it done. Again thanks to everyone who has helped us make this transition possible, from working on the house, to helping us move our furniture & boxes! You all are amazing!

Ps. Ellis Newman

What’s Next?

The fast is complete, but the journey has just begun.

For 21 days, we pressed in together—denying ourselves, seeking God’s face, and positioning our hearts for what He has ahead. But a fast isn’t the destination. It’s the launching pad.

So what’s next?

As Individuals:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

Stay hungry. Don’t let the fire you cultivated during the fast grow cold. Keep seeking Him daily—in the Word, in prayer, in worship.
Stay surrendered. Whatever God stirred in your heart during this fast—that area He put His finger on—keep yielding it to Him.
Stay expectant. You’ve planted seeds in the Spirit. Watch for the harvest. God is faithful to complete what He’s started in you. (Philippians 1:6)
Stay connected. You weren’t created to walk alone. Stay rooted in community, in accountability, in the family of God.

As The River Community Church:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

We move forward in unity. What we built together during this fast—the prayer, the sacrifice, the seeking—becomes the foundation for everything ahead.
We listen and obey. This is a year to hear God’s voice and respond with faith and action. No hesitation. No holding back.
We expect increase. Increase in faith. Increase in fruit. Increase in souls. Increase in impact. God didn’t call us to maintain—He called us to advance.
We become who He’s called us to be. Individually and corporately, 2026 is the year we stop playing small and step fully into our identity and assignment.

The fast prepared us. Now we walk it out.

Let’s go, River!

Ps. Mel

Youth Fellowship & River Campus Ministry (RCM)

Group photo of diverse individuals smiling together in a community or event setting, with some seated and others standing. It appears to be indoors with a casual atmosphere.

A group of children and teens gathered in an indoor recreational space, some standing while others sit on the floor, likely participating in an activity or event.

A group of four friends posing together at a table in a casual setting. They are smiling and enjoying their time together.

Back in December the RCM took a small, but powerful mission team to Monterrey, Mexico. We ministered to many people in Mexico and saw miracles, demons flee and people healed.

On Tuesdays we continue to have fellowship, food and Jesus. Some of our bible studies have been led by our young adults and they have brought forth powerful messages. Our young adults continue to be ministered to by Holy Spirit and experience emotional and physical healing.

One night after a Tuesday group in December, one of the college students wanted to be baptized. We went to one of the boat launches at 10:30pm. We worshiped and then baptized her and continued to worship afterwards. The presence of the Lord was so tangible that the water was even heated as we were praying right before the baptism. When we went home, she got out of the car and noticed her back was no longer in pain. She had suffered from back pain for many years from herniated disks, sports injury and a car wreck. But God! He healed her.

We also had a magnificent worship event on NSU’s campus with all of the other Christian organizations. It was a great time to come together in unity as the body of Christ to worship Him.

Last week we had a community event at the Natchitoches Skating Rink for the youth. We started with an amazing time of worship. Coach Kedrin Seastrunk came and preached an awesome word. Afterwards, the kids skated non-stop until it was time to go home.

We are also excited to announce that we will be having our second annual God’s Camp. Last year we made our camp free to the youth of the community and will do the same thing this year. We will need the community’s help again in supporting this event.

This semester we have started a junior and senior high school group called 3:6Teens. It is led by some of our young adults in RCM and it meets every other Thursday.

Missions

Last month, our own Lyndsay Bolding had the opportunity to serve on mission at Motherly Love Orphanage in Accra, Ghana. Motherly Love currently serves 111 children, with more than 65 living on site. The orphanage provides comprehensive care for the children in their community, including housing, medical care, and educational support.

During her time there, Lyndsay spent meaningful time with the children—listening to their stories, learning about their interests, and hearing their dreams for the future. She also met with the leadership team, including Reverend Azuma and Lamisi, the house manager. They shared their vision for the continued growth of Motherly Love and their heart to provide a safe, loving environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.

A group of children sitting on benches under a large green tent, engaged in an activity, with some wearing school uniforms.

A group of five people smiling together outdoors, with greenery in the background. They are dressed in casual clothing, including flower-patterned dresses, plain shirts, and shorts.

A group of children and adults outdoors, with lush green foliage in the background. One woman is in a black top, standing next to a girl in a patterned dress. Other children are present, some smiling and engaging with the camera.

Scripture reminds us in James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” Lyndsay’s visit was a beautiful example of our church family living out this calling and supporting the work God is doing around the world.

If you would like to learn more about how our church participates in missions, we invite you to join us for a Missions Lunch on April 19. As a church, we believe everyone can take part in God’s mission—whether by praying, giving, or going. If you’d like to host (cook or serve) at the lunch, please contact Eva Kingsley.

To learn more about missions at our church, visit rivernsu.com/missions.

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