Church History

In the early 1950’s a group of believers met in a series of tent meetings on the corner of Cumberland and Hope Mills Rd.  In time, as the group grew, the local mill donated 2 acres of land on which the first house of worship was built.  In the early 80’s, the late Rev. James Wilson, built the church’s second sanctuary.  In the first 40 years of Cumberland’s history the church saw its greatest growth during the leadership of Rev. Wilson’s 19 year ministry. 

In 1987 Rev. Paul B. Keeter, Jr. became the senior pastor of the Cumberland Church.  After 6 years of continuous growth and no room for expansion, the church purchased 7 acres of land off of Bingham Drive in the city of Fayetteville.  With the relocation of the congregation from the Cumberland district to the city of Fayetteville the church adopted the new name of Rivers of Living Water. 

Today, Rivers of Living Water is a thriving New Testament church.  Bishop Keeter’s unique ministry & “preaching” style has brought together believers of all colors and cultures.  Rivers provides cultural groups with English language challenges an opportunity to worship & study the Bible in their native language.   

Expansions

Rivers of Living Water Church of God has four ministry facility centers. The first is a 4,800 sq. foot Student Discipleship Center where youth come together weekly for discipleship training. 

The second is the Rivers School of Ministry Campus. Where we provide continuing Christian education from a diploma to a doctorate degree in Theology

The third is a Student Center where our youth & children celebrate worship on Sunday’s and Family Training Bible studies on Wednesday evenings.  

The fourth is a 16,500 sq. foot, 1200 seat state of the art Sanctuary.  For the second time in 10 years Rivers was faced with the challenge to expand.  In 2007 the church began its 24 month initiative to build its second sanctuary.  In December 2008 Rivers approved a proposal to begin the building of its permanent worship center that was completed and dedicated on March 6, 2011. 

For more information, please email: exec@theniagara.org