Church Planting Resident - The Christian and Missionary Alliance - U.S. Church Ministries

Who We Are

River of Life Alliance Church is a church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We are a church of about 400 attendees with a dynamic vision for reaching the Western Slope of Colorado with the living water of Jesus Christ. We believe that God has placed us in our geography for “such a time as this.” Part of our Five-Year Launch Vision is to pursue a church planting movement in Western Colorado.

River of Life (ROL) is currently structured for three pastors (Lead, Associate, Youth) and three ministry staff (Administration, Worship/Media and Kids Ministry). We are an elder run church, meaning that our elders are actively involved in leading and shepherding the church.

Our Church Planting Vision

From our beginning, as a church plant in the early 1990’s, God has given the vision of church planting to ROL. In the first few decades of ROL’s history, a couple attempts were made to daughter churches, but in God’s providence, none of them come to fruition until 2020. In that year, ROL daughtered Harvest View Alliance Church (HVAC) in Grand Junction, CO. ROL commissioned our worship pastor and a core group of 65 people to Clifton, an area on the opposite side of the Grand Valley from ROL. Today, HVAC is a thriving church.

As ROL continues to follow God’s vision, we believe that Jesus’ will is for every person to have access to both the Gospel and the ongoing care of a local church. Church planting accomplishes both aspects of Jesus’ heart for our region. Church planting is an effective means of reaching the lost with the Good News and establishing a local body of believers for ongoing care and discipleship.

Our long-term vision is to plant churches who plant churches. Currently, most church planting initiatives in CO are focused on the growing population of the Front Range. While this is needed, there is a growing population in Western Colorado. If we do not reach them, who will?

Job Description

We are seeking a Church Planting Resident who could begin as soon as January 1, 2025. This resident would spend approximately 12 months in Grand Junction, doing full-time ministry with River of Life (ROL) and preparing for a potential church plant. A plant may be a new start from scratch, or a church revitalization. This man needs to be called to church planting and have a desire for greater equipping and discipleship before planting. We believe part of the success of the Western Slope plant would be partnership with River of Life and the Mid-America District.

This person would participate in ROL ministry (including starting ministry from scratch or leading existing ministry, governance, preaching development, evangelism, and discipleship); undergo mentoring; attend BASICS and Church Planter Assessment. Finally, in partnership with ROL, this individual will discern God’s leading for a church plant location. If the Holy Spirit opens a door in a community, the resident will frequent that community to assess the spiritual needs, health of existing churches, and how best to partner with local believers to reach the lost.

Their investment at ROL will taper down over the year so that an increasing amount of time can be invested in the church plant. ROL will provide salary and health benefits for approximately 12 months, with an assessment near the end of that time.

Qualities of a Good Church Planting Resident

Someone with a call to church planting, willingness to relocate to Grand Junction for one year, desire to be challenged and equipped, proven effectiveness in starting ministry from scratch, humble, Godly “elder-like” character (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9), self-starter, connects easily with people, and licensed or able to license with the C&MA. (Learn more about C&MA Licensing)

The resident needs to be mentally prepared for life in whatever area God calls. This may include but not be limited to living in a rural setting far from the luxuries of a big city or long winters in high elevation towns of western Colorado.

If this describes you, we look forward to connecting! Feel free to email us at: office@riveroflifegj.com.

To be considered for this position, please complete the application to include your testimony, resume and other background information related to the position.

If the district office has reviewed your application and they think you may be a potential match for the position, that the hiring manager will reach out to you for next steps.

This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website