the River School of Discipleship

R.I.S.E. - The River Summer Experience

A Fun & Life Transforming Experience for Teens & Young Adults!

Join Us this Summer for R.I.S.E. 2021!


It's Going to Be Your best Summer Yet!

Join us for the last 3 weeks in July! Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week will be in person from 10am - 2pm with lunch being provided. On these days, we will focus on personal and spiritual development with times of worship, prayer, Bible teaching, and small group discussion. Thursdays will be our outdoor adventure fun days when we will do things like hiking, kayaking, a day trip to Virginia Beach, go kart racing, etc. Scroll down below for more details and to fill out the sign up form. This experience is free with just a $35 deposit required to secure your spot. Space is limited so sign up today!

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Life, College, and Being an Adult can Be Scary and Difficult at Times.


Come to The River First and We Will Equip & Empower You to be Strong & Successful!

R.I.S.E. 2021 Details


  • Summer 2021 theme is Spiritual I.D. - Spiritual Identity & Destiny. You will discover what God and the Bible say about you. You will gain a strong foundation in who you are as God's child and you will attain a greater sense of security, confidence, faith, peace, joy, and purpose.
  • July Session: July 13-15, 20-22, 27-29.
  • R.I.S.E. is free and funded by the gifts of generous sponsors and ministry partners.
  • We are only requiring a $35 deposit to sign up and secure your spot. Payable via PayPal, Venmo, check, or cash. Email address for PayPal and Venmo is theriverva@gmail.com
  • Tues. and Wed. each week will focus on worship, prayer, Bible training, small group discussion.
  • Lunch will be provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • Thursdays will be our outdoor adventure / fun day.
  • Thursdays we will pack our lunch or eat at a restaurant.
  • Everyone who signs up will receive a free copy of Russ' book Becoming A Champion - a Proverbs devotional on life, leadership, and relationships.
  • Anyone 17-22 is welcome and the class is open to Christians of all denominations and churches. 
  • Venue for the course will be True Vine church in the Market Square shopping center of Brandermill. 4806 Market Square Lane Midlothian, VA 23112.


If you have any questions, please send an email to theriverva@gmail.com

or visit the contact page

About Pastor Russ Mason


Active in ministry since 1998, Russ Mason is passionate about Jesus and helping people become everything God has created them to be. He and his wife Shari have been mentoring and discipling teens and young adults for over 20 years and they have been serving as Pastors in the greater Richmond area since 2007. Russ is an ordained minister with a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and International Missions from Northpoint Bible College. He has been trained as a Pastor and Church Planter by ARC - the Association of Related Churches and CMN - the Church Multiplication Network.

Russ is also a traveling preacher, Bible Teacher, and the author of Becoming A Champion as well as Making Disciples & Leading Small Groups. One of his greatest joys is seeing people fall deeper in love with God and reach their greatest potential in Him. He is super excited and can not wait to see what God does in the students' lives throughout the course and beyond!



To sign up, please complete our registration form.


Sign Up Today!


Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you soon!


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