About us
Twelve friends, a borrowed coffee urn and a bend in the river.
Riverbend is an independent, non-denominational church in Lawrence, Kansas. We’re about 650 people on a Sunday: students and retirees, lifelong churchgoers and people who are still not sure what they believe.
Our story
We didn’t set out to start a big church. We set out to be the kind of people who would notice our neighbors, and the rest followed, slowly.
Come and see2011
A living room in Old West Lawrence
Dana Okafor and eleven friends start meeting on Sunday nights to read Luke and eat dinner. Within a year they need folding chairs.
2013
A bakery on Massachusetts Street
A closed bakery lends us its back room on Sundays. The building smells of cinnamon for two years and nobody complains.
2016
An old roller rink by the river
We buy the Riverside Avenue rink and renovate it with a lot of volunteer weekends. The skate-hire counter is now the kids’ check-in desk.
2020
The Riverbend Pantry opens
What started as a box of groceries on the porch becomes a client-choice pantry serving about 180 households a week.
Today
Two gatherings, thirteen groups, one long table
We’re renovating the River Room so the whole neighborhood can use it, and we still put the coffee on at 8:30.
What we believe
Historic Christian faith, held with open hands
We stand with the church across the centuries in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. These are the convictions that shape everything we do.
God is love
One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who made the world good and has never stopped caring for it.
Jesus changes everything
Jesus lived, died and rose again. Through him anyone can be forgiven, made new and welcomed home.
The Bible is trustworthy
Scripture is God’s word to us. We read it together, carefully and in context, and let it read us.
Grace comes first
Nobody earns their place here. We follow Jesus because we’re loved, not so that we will be.
Church is a family
We practice baptism and communion, share our lives in small groups and carry each other’s burdens.
Love your city
Faith that stays inside the building isn’t finished. We serve Lawrence alongside anyone doing good.
How we’re led
Riverbend is led by a board of seven elders elected by members, who oversee the pastors, the budget and the care of the church. Our finances are reviewed by an independent accountant every year, and our safeguarding policy is reviewed with the Douglas County child advocacy center. Ask for either; we’re glad to share them.
Staff
The people who’ll probably make you coffee
Dana Okafor
Lead Pastor
Dana planted Riverbend in 2011 with twelve friends and a borrowed coffee urn. She preaches most Sundays and still makes the coffee.
dana@riverbend.exampleLuis Herrera
Pastor of Families
Former fourth-grade teacher, father of three and the reason Riverbend Kids has a snack budget. Leads our family and kids ministries.
luis@riverbend.exampleHannah Brooks
Associate Pastor, Care
Hannah oversees pastoral care, the prayer team and our grief and recovery groups. Ask her about hospital chaplaincy or quilting.
hannah@riverbend.exampleMarcus Bell
Youth Director
Marcus runs Wednesday youth nights for grades 6–12 and coaches the church’s famously average softball team.
marcus@riverbend.exampleJune Whitaker
Kids Director
June leads a team of 60 volunteers who make Sunday mornings safe, loud and joyful for children from birth to fifth grade.
june@riverbend.exampleTheo Nakamura
Worship & Arts
Theo leads the band and choir, writes some of the songs we sing and runs the Thursday open rehearsal anyone can join.
theo@riverbend.examplePriya Raman
Operations & Generosity
Priya keeps the lights on, the books open and the budget published. She answers every giving question within a day.
priya@riverbend.exampleRuth Aldana
Community Care Coordinator
Ruth runs the Riverbend Pantry and our meal train, and knows every social worker in Douglas County by first name.
ruth@riverbend.example