It is the mission of Living River to share with everyone we can reach, through our music, the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to tell of His wonderful gifts of salvation and eternal life.

Living River was originally organized in 1987, and has presented concerts in churches and at many events throughout the Midwest. We, the men of Living River, are friends who enjoy praising God together in word and song.

The music presented by Living River is a blend of contemporary praise and worship, gospel, and a cappella styles. The lyrics reflect the light that only Jesus Christ can bring to a hurting world, and it is this message that we wish to bring to others.

The reason we sing is because of who God is and what He’s done for us.

God created us to be in a perfect relationship with Him; to worship Him; to bring Him glory. But through the sin of Adam that communion was broken. We were separated from a Holy, Awesome God who cannot have sin in His presence. The Bible lets us know that we are all born sinners and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Because of this, we cannot enter into His presence. The price of even one sin in our lives is death (Romans 6:23). This is not a physical death, but separation from God for eternity.

Here’s the most amazing, mysterious part of God’s plan. He loves us SO much that He desired to restore that broken relationship. So He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to give up His glory in heaven to come down and live as a man. After 33 years He willingly allowed others to hang Him on a cross where He gave up His life for you and me. God the Father poured out His wrath for our sins on His son, who is sinless. He was laid in a tomb and then was raised to life in three days, conquering death and the grave.

It is a gift that God offers to us. All we need to do is accept it. So many of us try to earn our way to heaven and into His presence. There is nothing we can do to buy salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Otherwise Jesus would not have had to die. When we accept this free gift, we once again enter into an intimate relationship with a Holy, righteous God. He sees us as clean and forgiven because of what His son has done. He assures us that we will be in heaven with Him one day (John 3:16). Real Christianity has nothing to do with religion. It’s about an intimate, personal relationship with a Holy God.

When we hear of this wonderful love, grace, and mercy of God, how can we help but respond? We respond by surrendering and turning our lives over to Him. We admit that we are sinners, acknowledge that He paid the price for those sins, ask for forgiveness, and devote ourselves in serving Him. We respond by desiring to be more like Him, to live lives of humble service, to love and extend forgiveness. We respond by seeking to grow through reading the Bible, praying, and meeting with other believers for encouragement. We respond by realizing that it has nothing to do with us. It’s ALL about God. We didn’t deserve anything He’s done for us, but He did. All we can do is respond in worship and praise and thanksgiving. He deserves everything we can give. What a MIGHTY and AWESOME God.