At River Ridge, we believe serving starts at home. Through Go Local, we take part in monthly projects around Charleston—cleaning parks, supporting schools, partnering with nonprofits, and more. One of our biggest local outreaches is Big Kick, a summer soccer camp hosted across Kanawha County where kids learn soccer skills and hear about Jesus in a fun, safe environment.

Additionally, our  West Side Initiative is an ongoing effort to invest deeply in the West Side of Charleston. We partner with groups like the Second Avenue Center and Midian Leadership Project to support kids, families, and future leaders through tutoring, meals, mentorship, and more.

Each month, a team from River Ridge heads out into the community to serve. Whether it’s helping in local schools, partnering with non-profits, supporting other ministries, cleaning up parks or stepping into new opportunities as they arise, GO Local is all about showing up and sharing God’s love in practical ways.
No task is too small when it comes to making a difference.

Interested in joining the GO Local Project Team?

At River Ridge, we believe loving our neighbor starts close to home—which is why we partner with Capital High School, just minutes from our church. We support teachers with meals and gifts, assist with school events, and look for meaningful ways to serve students and staff.

One key effort is the Cougar Community Closet, which provides CHS students with hygiene items, food, clothing, and other essentials. A $40 donation helps supply one student with items they need. To donate, click the button below.

At River Ridge, we believe the Great Commission starts in our own backyard—which is why we’re committed to the West Side of Charleston. Through partnerships with organizations like the Second Avenue Center and Midian Leadership Project, we invest in kids, families, and future leaders.

At the Second Avenue Center, we support elementary students through our Homework Buddies Program, offering help with schoolwork and consistent mentorship. Our Meal Teams also provide warm dinners throughout the week, making sure every child heads home cared for and well-fed.

Each summer, River Ridge hosts Big Kick—a fun-filled week of soccer camps for kids ages 4 through 5th grade. Kids learn the basics of soccer—dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork—in a safe, encouraging environment. But what makes Big Kick truly special is that every child also hears the good news of Jesus in a way they can understand and remember.

Big Kick is a true all-church effort! Whether you’re coaching, passing out snacks, cheering kids on, or inviting your neighbors, there’s a role for everyone—no soccer experience required. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates—we hope you’ll be part of this incredible opportunity to reach kids for Jesus!

At River Ridge,  we’re honored to walk alongside families who are answering God’s call through foster care and adoption.

Our Lamplighters Ministry exists to support and empower those considering or currently involved in foster care. Through care communities that provide meals, prayer, and other practical support our church is able to surround foster families with the love and care they need. Click the button below to learn how to become a Lamplighter and we’ll reach out with information on next steps.

If you're looking to take a next step out of your comfort zone, consider joining one of our mission trips to places like Kenya, Costa Rica, or locations in need within Appalachia. Each trip is a powerful opportunity to go with the hope of the Gospel—serving others, building relationships, and growing in your own faith. These experiences offer more than just travel; they open your eyes to how God is moving across cultures and communities, and invite you to be part of that work. Whether it’s across the globe or just a few hours away, you’ll return changed, with a deeper understanding of God’s heart for the world.

n Kenya, we partner with Young Life to support their mission of reaching young people with the Gospel. Our teams help lead camps, serve alongside local leaders, and invest in relationships that encourage both students and staff. The experience deepens our faith as we witness the resilience and passion of the Kenyan church, reminding us that mission is less about what we give and more about the transformation God brings in us and through us.

Through our partnership with Young Life in Costa Rica, we help create life-changing camp experiences for students while supporting local leaders who are faithfully sharing the love of Christ. By building friendships, serving behind the scenes, and joining in worship, we experience the beauty of a global faith and return with a renewed understanding of how God moves across cultures and communities.

Many communities in Appalachia face generational poverty, limited access to resources, and a deep sense of being overlooked. By sending mission teams, we step into those spaces to offer hope, encouragement, and practical love through presence and partnership. These trips remind us that people don’t just need help—they need to know they are not forgotten, and that God sees and loves them deeply.

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with many vulnerable children, families, and refugees in need of care and connection. We partner with local churches and ministries to support their efforts to bring healing, stability, and the hope of Christ. Our presence helps strengthen their ongoing work, while giving us a window into God’s faithfulness in hard places.

Trips to Moldova are currently paused due to the conflict in Russia and Ukraine but we continue to support missionaries who are living in the country and continuing to share the Gospel.