The River

Next session will begin in January 2012

What is the River?

The River is an intense, Christ-centered discipleship and healing group that meets for fifteen weeks. We explore core issues of the soul: our identities as men and women, our relationships, our pasts, and our romantic and sexual choices. Through worship, teaching, prayer, the arts, and small groups, we address the reality that we’re all growing in our ability to love and be loved, and we discover together the restoration Jesus brings. The River is relevant to those struggling with family dysfunction, self-hatred, fantasy, the effects of abuse, same-sex attraction, emotional dependency, unhealthy relationships, distorted views of self, or loneliness, among others. No matter what our issues may be, we learn to embrace God’s acceptance, truth, and restoration as a community.

What does it look like?

Worship: We’re intentional about focusing on God through music, art, writing, or other means of worship. We create space to connect to God in responsive, authentic ways that center us in His love.

Teaching and interaction: The teaching is based on reading and reflection given the previous week. We often have interactions or exercises that help us connect with the material, with God, and with each other.

Prayer: In the large group, we invite God’s healing presence to transform and empower us.

Small groups: We spend about an hour in small groups. We gather in same-gender small groups to pray and to process what we’re learning and what God is doing in our lives.

What does it cost?
   $375.00 (includes all materials)
   $75 is required at the time of the interview to reserve your spot,
   with the remaining $300 to be received by December 2011.

When and where?
  • Next session will be in Jan 15 - May 20, 2012.
    Sessions will run from 2:30 - 5:30pm on Sundays
    Applications due: January 1, 2012
    Reunion: August 19, 2012
The River is a closed group, which means that everyone goes through the application process and no new participants join us after the first week. Team members have been through the River themselves and are committed to ongoing growth in their own lives. Every participant and team member agrees to confidentiality guidelines and boundaries that help build trust and encourage respect for each person’s experience. In order to create a consistent community, we ask you to commit to attend every session and make your growth and healing a top priority for the duration of the River.

You will be contacted for an interview once your application has been received.

Deadline for applications: January 1, 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What will I learn?
• Letting go of distraction and inviting deeper conversation with God
• Finding freedom from shame and self-hatred
• Recognizing how "the fall" affects our identity, relationships, and sexuality
• Receiving the Father's love
• Recovering a core sense of peace and well-being through God’s nurture
• Embracing the power of the cross and confession
• Sorting through our inheritance from our families
• Renouncing our idols
• Restoring the true self through the cross
• Overcoming temptation and addiction
• Healing from abuse and the sins done against us
• Processing loss and allowing ourselves to grieve
• Moving towards forgiveness
• Understanding gender and identity development
• Inviting reconciliation between men and women
• Building intimate relationships and healthy community
• Fulfilling our dreams and divine purposes as mature Christians


Is the River for me?
You may want to consider participating in the River if you
• desire to deepen your relationships with God and others
• desire to grow in your identity as a man or woman of God, allowing Him to reveal the goodness of relationships and sexuality
• are willing to face the sinful areas of your life and the painful realities that led you there. This involves exploring hurts from your past specifically related to key people in your life, such as your parents and family
• are willing to be open and honest with others about your brokenness, including sexual feelings & practices, as well as issues of identity & emotional immaturity
• are willing to receive the healing ministry of the Holy Spirit in these deep areas
• are willing to walk free from sinful patterns by the power of the Cross
• are willing to honor your commitment to yourself and others by being present throughout the entirety of the River. Your presence matters.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?
 Click the link below to download the application:
(please email applications or questions to: theriver@pihop.com)

Applications


Deadline for applications: January 1, 2012 or until the ministry is full.


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