2023-Q3 Report

Greg Rhodes • Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)
October 4, 2023

2 Minute Read

It was a mixed bag this quarter. Accreditation marked a significant milestone for RiverLife, but decreased giving and Fall ministry expenses put a financial strain on the church.

Ministry Highlights

  • RiverLife finally became an officially accredited church in the Alliance (after 6 months of hard work and a pandemic delay).
  • 46 youth attended the HLUB conference in July, resulting in 11 youth baptisms at camp and here at home.
  • Despite the rain, we served hundreds of our Eastside neighbors at National Night Out at the Conway Rec Center with Bahn Mi hotdogs, cotton candy, and a bounce house.
  • Simple Summer events at STP & BP were a hit, with solid attendance and lots of fun.
  • You donated 300 lbs. of school supplies for Eastern Heights Elementary in St. Paul and Edinbrook Elementary in Brooklyn Park.
  • At the July Work Day for the St. Paul campus, we cleaned out the overstuffed garage and beautified the church sign with new flowers.

Attendance

  • Attendance picked up in September after a steady Q2 and summer.
  • Quarterly average: 212.
  • 9% Lower than last quarter (232). If we exclude Easter, it’s only 3% lower.
  • 17% higher than this time last year (181).
  • September saw a 5% bump from Summer (July, Aug). This is fairly normal for RiverLife.



Financial Update

Balance Sheet (Q3)

Income: $84,951
Expenses: $95,293
Net: $-10,342

Balance Sheet (YTD)

Income: $288,404
Expenses: $273,081
Net: +$15,323

Revenue Sources (Q3)

Offering: 86%
Twins Fundraiser: 6%
Facility Rental: 4%
Covid Clinics: 2%
Translation at CPA: 2%

Monthly Revenue (all sources)

All three months of Q3 were below budget.

Progress on 2023 Goals

Become an Accredited Church

  • Done and done! (As of Sept. 10, 2023) ✅

Improve the Financial Health of the Church

  • This was a difficult quarter for church finances.
  • Decreased giving and increased expenses for Fall ministry launches reduced our savings by about $10,000.

Develop a Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy

  • No significant progress on this goal in Q3.

Become a Voice of Influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry

  1. Had multiple discussions about adding a podcast
  2. Name: The RiverLife Ministry Blog/Podcast
  3. Tagline: “Simple Talk and Practical Ideas for Ministry to Next-Gen Hmong”
  4. Strategy: Positioning ourselves as people’s individual ministry mentors, e.g. “Hi, I’m Greg… and I’m Kong… and we’re your ministry mentors…”
  5. Plan to launch nextgenhmong.com blog in Q4.
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From this Tag: Quarterly Reports
May 8, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
2026-Q1 Report
Q1 2026 showed steady overall momentum for RiverLife, with growth at Brooklyn Park and strong engagement among kids and youth helping offset a softer season of adult attendance and giving challenges at St. Paul. Ministry Highlights Launched The Big 3 (attend every Sunday, read your Bible 4x a week, pray 4x a week) as RiverLife’s primary discipleship framework. Increased Pastor Tommy Lor to full-time staff (from 25 hrs/week). Added a 3% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to all paid staff and approved doing this annually. Implemented additional security measures at both campuses in response to increased ICE activity in the Twin Cities. Collected food and packed 39 Mexican meal kits for the congregation of La Iglesia while many were staying home due to fear of ICE. Also, collected $2,400 for church rental assistance. Voted Yeng Thao as a new board member for a term of 2 years. Attendance Campus Detail Summary Q1 2026 showed a more divided story between campuses. Brooklyn Park continued slow, steady growth, especially among adults and youth, while St. Paul experienced a noticeable decline in adult attendance despite continued strength among children and families. Overall church attendance remained relatively stable, but growth momentum shifted away from STP and toward BP. Financial Update Balance Sheet (Q1) Income: $108,878 Expenses: $101,161 Net: +$7,717 Revenue Sources (Q1) Offering: 90% Facility Rental: 7% Fundraising: 2% Misc: 1% Monthly Revenue (all sources) While quarterly revenue was ahead of budget, monthly totals varied considerably. Giving was down in February, possibly due (along with lower attendance) to the fear and economic uncertainty of the increased ICE activity. However, the congregation responded to the call for increased generosity in March to cover the deficit. Progress on 2026 Goals Embed The Big 3 as our primary discipleship pathway. Launched The Big 3 (attend every Sunday, read your Bible 4x a week, pray 4x a week) Preached a sermon series on it in January. Created a year-long Bible reading plan for completing the New Testament. Move staff compensation toward market fairness. Increased Pastor Tommy Lor to full-time staff (from 25 hrs/week). Added a 3% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to all paid staff and approved doing this annually. Build scalable systems to support continued growth. No significant progress on this goal yet.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

November 14, 2024 • 2 Minute Read
2024-Q3 Report
Third quarter was financially strong with generous giving, successful fundraising, and a couple of extra-large facility rentals. We also celebrated our 10th anniversary in RiverLife style—with a huge famly picnic full of worship, activities, and fun. Ministry Highlights Pastor Greg returned from his sabbatical in August, refreshed and ready to launch us into the next decade. We celebrated our 10-year anniversary with a giant, all-church picnic. We worked 8 Twins games, raising $6,700. We raised $7,235 for the annual Thrive Youth Annual Fall Retreat. Thank you for investing in the next generation. We welcomed a new intern from Crown Colllege. Attendances Attendence returned to normal levels after a typical summer dip. Quarterly average attendances had a slight increase compared to Q2. St. Paul, Brooklyn Park, Online—3% increase (289 vs. 281) St. Paul—5% increase (159 vs. 152) Brooklyn Park—1% increase (115 vs. 114) For the whole year, attendance has remained steady. Financial Update (Q3) Balance Sheet Income: $95,868 Expenses: $91,021 Net: +$4,846 Revenue Sources Offering: 84% Facility Rental: 8% Fundraising: 7% Misc: 1% Budget Revenue: 107% of budget Expenses: 102% of budget Our expenses are almost right on budget for this time of year, and our revenue is ahead of budget. Progress on 2024 Goals Develop a comprehensive discipleship strategy. We have had some conversations of what discipleship could look like in 2025. No significant progress on this goal in Q3. Improve the capacity and depth of our volunteers and leader. We added new volunters in over half of our ministries. We welcomed a new intern from Crown College. Stabilize and strengthen our financial position. We finished Q3 strong, with $4,846 more revenue than expenses and $19,000 in our account. Through 2024, our total income is $14,000. We’ve received 55% of our budgeted income while spending 51% on expenses. We’re right on track with our budget! We worked 8 Twins games, raising $6,700. Become a voice of influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry No significant progress on this goal in Q3.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

July 20, 2024 • 2 Minute Read
2024-Q2 Report
Our second quarter was a steady and stable season of ministry while Pastor Greg was on sabbatical. Thank you to everyone who helped lead the ministries while Pastor Greg rests! Ministry Highlights Pastor Greg began his 4-month sabbatical in April. He has served RiverLife faithfully for 10 years and a few of those years were the most difficult during COVID. Rest well, Pastor Greg, and we look forward to you returning in August! We had our biggest Level Up Sunday with 18 incoming youth members and 12 graduating high school seniors. We also leveled up Jeremy Garland from Kids Ministry Director to Kids Pastor! Congratulations to everyone! Our youth group has increased by 50% across both campuses since February 2024. We currently average 38 students across both campuses. In 2023, we averaged 25 students. A big contributor is launching Plug’d (our weekly Friday night youth gatherings) at the Brooklyn Park campus in Q1. We generated $12,100 of income! We baptized 1 adult. We recruited 7 first-time volunteers at our Fresh Fellowship event. We raised $345 for the Great Commission Fund in Q2 (Q1: $205). Attendance There was a 3% decrease in attendance across both campuses since last quarter. Quarterly average: 274 (Last quarter: 282. If we include Easter’s attendance in Q1, our average was 300) Financial Update (Q3) Balance Sheet (Q2) Income: $95,594.31 Expenses: $83,516.98 Net: +$12,077.33 Revenue Sources (Q2) Offering: 86% Facility Rental: 10% Covid Clinics: 3% Misc: 1% Monthly Revenue (all sources) Progress on 2024 Goals Develop a comprehensive discipleship strategy. No significant progress on this goal in Q2. Improve the capacity and depth of our volunteers and leader. We had a successful Fresh Fellowship event across both campuses in June. We recruited 7 first-time volunteers! We brought back Volunteer of the Month at St. Paul campus honoring our awesome volunteers! Stabilize and strengthen our financial position. We finished Q2 in the positive with $12,100 in our checking account. Through 2024, our total income is $14,000. We’ve received 55% of our budgeted income while spending 51% on expenses. We’re right on track with our budget! We started fundraising at Twins games. Our goal is to raise $20,000 in 2024 with $15,000 coming from these games. Help volunteer at a game to help us achieve our goal! Become a voice of influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry No significant progress on this goal in Q2.

Kong Moua

Campus Pastor, Elder (BP)

May 3, 2024 • 2 Minute Read
2024-Q1 Report
This was one of RiverLife’s strongest quarters ever. We saw a notable increase in attendance and giving across both campuses. Ministry Highlights Launched Plug’d, our weekly Friday night youth gathering, at the Brooklyn Park campus in February. Prior to this, students from both campuses met for Plug’d at the St. Paul campus. Generated $7,900 of income in Q1. A 22% increase compared to Q1 in 2023! Baptized 4 adults and 2 kids. Celebrated Easter with 506 people in service between both campuses (St. Paul: 336, Brooklyn Park: 170). Put on our very first kids ministries’ play retelling the Easter story! Hosted an egg hunt for 1,800 people across both campuses. The Associated Press covered the Brooklyn Park campus’ egg hunt. Watch the video here. Increased attendance across both campuses. 2024’s Q1 averages at St. Paul was 167 and Brooklyn Park was 118. Compared to last year, 2023’s Q1 averages at St. Paul was 134 and Brooklyn Park was 84. Raised $205 for the Great Commission Fund. Upgraded kids' check-in stations at both campuses. Attendance 18% increase in attendance across both campuses since last quarter. Quarterly average: 300 (Last quarter: 247) Financial Update Balance Sheet (Q1) Income: $105,021.18 Expenses: $97,159.51 Net: +$7,861.67 Revenue Sources (Q1) Offering: 89% Facility Rental: 5% Covid Clinics: 4% Misc: 2% Monthly Revenue (all sources) Progress on 2024 Goals Develop a comprehensive discipleship strategy. No significant progress on this goal in Q1. Improve the capacity and depth of our volunteers and leader. We had a successful Volunteer Mega-Rally in January. This helped instill our volunteer values to all of our current and new volunteers. Our previous cafe leads at both campuses transitioned out, but they were able to bring on new leads. Updated our volunteer handbook. At the BP campus, Volunteer of the Month was brought back to honor individuals who exceptionally reflect our volunteer values. Stabilize and strengthen our financial position. We finished Q1 in the positive with $7,861 in our checking account. Our goal is raise $20,000 in 2024 with $15,000 coming from the Twins Fundraising program. We plan to start the fundraising initiative in May. Become a voice of influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry No significant progress on this goal in Q1. Check out www.NextGenHmong.com for articles we’ve posted.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

January 10, 2024 • 2 Minute Read
2023-Q4 Report
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Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

Currently Reading
October 4, 2023 • 2 Minute Read
2023-Q3 Report
It was a mixed bag this quarter. Accreditation marked a significant milestone for RiverLife, but decreased giving and Fall ministry expenses put a financial strain on the church. Ministry Highlights RiverLife finally became an officially accredited church in the Alliance (after 6 months of hard work and a pandemic delay). 46 youth attended the HLUB conference in July, resulting in 11 youth baptisms at camp and here at home. Despite the rain, we served hundreds of our Eastside neighbors at National Night Out at the Conway Rec Center with Bahn Mi hotdogs, cotton candy, and a bounce house. Simple Summer events at STP & BP were a hit, with solid attendance and lots of fun. You donated 300 lbs. of school supplies for Eastern Heights Elementary in St. Paul and Edinbrook Elementary in Brooklyn Park. At the July Work Day for the St. Paul campus, we cleaned out the overstuffed garage and beautified the church sign with new flowers. Attendance Attendance picked up in September after a steady Q2 and summer. Quarterly average: 212. 9% Lower than last quarter (232). If we exclude Easter, it’s only 3% lower. 17% higher than this time last year (181). September saw a 5% bump from Summer (July, Aug). This is fairly normal for RiverLife. Financial Update Balance Sheet (Q3) Income: $84,951 Expenses: $95,293 Net: $-10,342 Balance Sheet (YTD) Income: $288,404 Expenses: $273,081 Net: +$15,323 Revenue Sources (Q3) Offering: 86% Twins Fundraiser: 6% Facility Rental: 4% Covid Clinics: 2% Translation at CPA: 2% Monthly Revenue (all sources) Progress on 2023 Goals Become an Accredited Church Done and done! (As of Sept. 10, 2023) ✅ Improve the Financial Health of the Church This was a difficult quarter for church finances. Decreased giving and increased expenses for Fall ministry launches reduced our savings by about $10,000. Develop a Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy No significant progress on this goal in Q3. Become a Voice of Influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry Had multiple discussions about adding a podcast Name: The RiverLife Ministry Blog/Podcast Tagline: “Simple Talk and Practical Ideas for Ministry to Next-Gen Hmong” Strategy: Positioning ourselves as people’s individual ministry mentors, e.g. “Hi, I’m Greg… and I’m Kong… and we’re your ministry mentors…” Plan to launch nextgenhmong.com blog in Q4.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

July 7, 2023 • 2 Minute Read
2023-Q2 Report
This was the largest fundraising period in RiverLife’s history. Through your generosity and hard work, we raised $27,500. Ministry Highlights Held the largest Easter in RiverLife’s history—with 495 joining us for service at both campuses and over 1,200 attending the Easter egg hunts. Celebrated 7 baptisms on Easter — 5 adults and 2 kids. Hosted 180 people for a 3-day Soul Care Conference with international author and speaker Rob Reimer. Over 50 people were set free through deliverances. Volunteered 525 work hours at Twins concessions stands to raise money for the youth HLUB Conference and the church General Fund. Added 12 new garden plots to our Community Garden at the Brooklyn Park campus, for a total of 92 plots. Taught a Financial Peace University class. Over eight weeks, the 15 participants paid off $222,680 in credit card debt. Bundled over 3,000 diapers and collected 50 boxes of wipes for First Care Pregnancy Center as part of Serve Sunday. Attendance Steady attendance at both campuses. (Easter was the exception). Quarterly average: 232. Nearly identical to the last quarter (234). 27% higher than this time last year (184). Financial Update Balance Sheet (Q2) Income: $109,107 Expenses: $84,790 Net: +$24,317 Balance Sheet (YTD) Income: $203,453 Expenses: $176,399 Net: +$27,054 Revenue Sources (Q2) Offering: 71% Twins Fundraiser: 14% Soul Care Conference: 9% Facility Rental: 6% Covid Clinics: 2% Amount Raised from Fundraising (YTD) Donations to Youth: $7,428 Twins Fundraiser (for the youth): $3,664 Twins Fundraiser (for the church): $10,552 Soul Care Conference: $5,857 TOTAL: $27,500 Monthly Revenue (all sources) Progress on 2023 Goals Become an Accredited Church Wrote a complete first draft of our church bylaws. Scheduled our official accreditation meeting for Sept. 10, 2023. Improve the Financial Health of the Church After the youth expenses in July, we’ll have saved over $10,000, bringing us close to our goal of $15,000 by the end of the year. Weekly giving is up 18% from this time last year. Develop a Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy Successfully hosted classes in Soul Care and Financial Peace University class, as well as a 3-day Soul Care Conference. Launched one new Life Group. Become a Voice of Influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry No significant progress on this goal in Q2. Plan to launch nextgenhmong.com blog in Q3.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)

April 17, 2023 • 2 Minute Read
2023-Q1 Report
Strong giving in January and March allowed us to save money while launching multiple discipleship opportunities. Ministry Highlights We sent 4 church members as missionaries to Warren, Germany, to serve for 10 days. (Yeng Thao & Jerry Yang, Rick & Kirstin Wallace) You donated a whopping $6,876 for the HLUB youth conference. Thank you for this incredible generosity! We bought a new soundboard. The one at the St. Paul campus was failing and is no longer supported by the manufacturer. After some repairs, we have working snowblowers on both campuses. This has helped cut snow removal costs at the end of the winter season. At the Brooklyn Park campus, a nearby mosque has been using the parking lot for Ramadan celebrations. This has been an ongoing and very positive interfaith relationship. We have received another shipment of 5,000 Bombas to distribute. Attendance Overall, steady attendance. Quarterly average: 234. This is a 5% growth over last quarter. Financial Update Balance Sheet Income: $94,345 Expenses: $90,556 Net: +$3,789 Revenue Sources Offering: 89% Facility Rental: 6% Covid Clinics: 3% Monthly Revenue (all sources) Progress on 2023 Goals Become an Accredited Church Hosted membership classes and began the process of ratifying 40 new members. Scheduled a meeting with District staff in April to begin developing church bylaws. Improve the Financial Health of the Church Saved nearly $4,000 in Q1. That’s 20% of our goal of saving $15k this year. Projected our revenue from the Thrive fundraiser and the Soul Care conference to be $10k-$15k. Published a 2022 Annual Report with detailed financial reports. Created this quarterly report to improve financial visibility throughout the year. Develop a Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy Scheduled Soul Care and Financial Peace University classes for Q2. Began adapting the membership “Church Engagement Matrix” into a discipleship pathway tool. Become a Voice of Influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry Cast a vision to the Ministry Team for writing blog articles. All members are excited about launching. Plan to launch nextgenhmong.com blog in Q2.

Greg Rhodes

Lead Pastor, Head Elder (STP)