Riverbank Church
We are on a rescue mission, helping people take their next step with Jesus.
Our Story
Riverbank Church began with a simple conviction: the people of Vermont and New Hampshire deserve to hear the life-changing message of Jesus.
In 2010, Pastor Chris Goeppner and two families stepped out in faith, leaving everything familiar behind to help plant a new church in the Upper Valley. On April 4, Riverbank Church held its very first Sunday worship experience at the Lebanon Opera House, where 179 people gathered with great anticipation for what God would do.
From day one, our mission has been clear: help people who are far from God take their next step with Jesus. We’ve always believed that a real relationship with God changes lives, and we’ve committed ourselves to building authentic relationships, boldly preaching God’s Word, and creating welcoming environments where anyone can encounter Jesus.
God has done far more than we could have imagined. What started with a handful of families has grown into a thriving church serving communities across Vermont and New Hampshire. Along the way we’ve met in homes, schools, theaters, hotel conference rooms, and other temporary spaces before establishing permanent locations from which we continue to reach our region.
Most importantly, we’ve watched God transform lives. Thousands of people have placed their faith in Jesus, found freedom, discovered purpose, and become part of His Church.
But our story is still being written.
We believe God is calling Riverbank Church to continue the rescue mission, helping one more person take their next step with Jesus. Whether you’ve been following Jesus for years or you’re simply exploring faith, there’s a place for you here. We’d love for you to join us as together we continue what God has started.
Our Leadership
Matthew Burge
Lead Pastor
Matt Burge is a pastor and leader with a passion for helping people discover a personal relationship with Jesus and equipping leaders to impact the next generation. Growing up in Thetford, Vermont, Matt developed a deep burden to see the hope of Jesus reach every community throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.
Matt and his wife, Rachel, have been married since 2003 and are grateful for the joy, adventure, and everyday beautiful chaos of raising their four amazing kids. Whether they’re sharing a meal, heading out on a camping adventure, or simply enjoying life together, family time is always the best!
After attending Riverbank Church in 2010, Matt sensed God’s call to ministry. Since then, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including worship, leadership development, and executive leadership. For eight years, he served as Executive Pastor and Board Treasurer, helping strengthen the church’s leadership, culture, and vision.
Today, Matt serves as Lead Pastor of Riverbank Church, where he is passionate about building a Jesus-centered, community-driven, and mission-minded church that reaches people, disciples believers, and raises up the next generation to live on mission for Jesus.
Connect with Pastor Matt
Board of Overseers
The Overseers are leaders and pastors of ministries who love Riverbank Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called in to help in accountability matters relating to the Lead Pastor if requested by the Pastors or Trustees.
The Board of Overseers of Riverbank Church are:
- Pastor Anthony Milas, Granite United Church
- Pastor Sean Sears, Grace Church
- Pastor Randy Bezet, Bayside Community Church
Board of Trustees
The Trustees oversee the finances and direct the provision of the facilities needed by the church. They provide counsel to the Lead Pastor and Leadership Team regarding the major financial commitments of the church.
The Board of Trustees are:
- Pastor Bill Lamorey, One Life Church
- Pastor Bob Partridge, Riverbank Church
- Mark Pomeroy, Riverbank Church
Our Values
Jesus
Nothing is sacred except for Jesus. Our methods may change, but the message of Jesus never will.
Excellence
From the street to the seat, we will honor Jesus in all that we do.
Serve
We will serve well by giving generously of our time, talent, & treasure.
Love
People matter to God. We will love people because we were never intended to do life alone.
Our Beliefs
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Old and New Testaments pointing to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Proverbs 30:5
Trinity
We believe that there is One God, eternally revealed to the world in the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. By Him were all things created.
Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus
We believe that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem all of mankind. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life on this earth, performed many undeniable miracles, was crucified for our sins, buried and was raised from the dead for our justification. By the name of Jesus Christ, and His name only, can mankind be saved. Jesus Christ sits at the Right Hand of the Father and will return personally in power and glory to receive His Church unto Himself.
Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, 1 Timothy 6:14-15
Man
We believe that mankind is sinful by nature and will perish without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as revealed in His Gospel. That God wishes that no one should perish, but that all would come to this saving knowledge through the preaching of the Gospel to a lost and hopeless world.
Genesis 1:27, Psalms 8:3-6, Jeremiah 17:5, Acts 17:26-31, Romans 3:23, 2 Colossians 1:21-22
Holy Spirit
We believe in the multi-faceted work of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin, revelation of the truth of the Gospel of Christ, drawing of the sinner to God, adoption of mankind into the Body of Christ through regeneration, and the distribution and administration of the Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Jesus Christ is the “baptizer with the Holy Spirit” for the empowerment of the Church through Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25
The Church
We believe in the local church as a place where believers gather together for edification, teaching from the Word of God, and ministry to and through each other according to their spiritual gift. The local church provides identity to its members as well as encouragement, interdependence, fellowship, correction, and discipline.
Acts 2:42-47, Acts 9:31, Acts 14:23, Acts 11:25-26, Hebrews 10:24-25
Our Association
Riverbank Church is a member of the ARC (Association of Related Churches). We are part of an association of relational churches working with church planters, church leaders, and churches in transition to provide support, guidance and resources to launch and grow life-giving churches..
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