When God Says, “I’ve Got This”: A Story from River Stone Church

At River Stone Christian Fellowship Church in Arnprior, Ontario, there is a deep sense that something is beginning to break open.

River Stone is not a large church. Sandra describes it as “a humble but powerful little church” of around 85 people, located on the main street of town in a redeemed building that was once an old hotel and strip club. Today, that building has become a place of worship, prayer, community, healing, and hope.

River Stone itself was birthed twelve years ago when two churches, River of Life and The Rock Church, came together. Sandra is careful not to describe it simply as a merger. At the time, the pastor of The Rock Church asked if the two churches would “marry.” That language has marked the story ever since: not merely organizations combining, but families becoming one.

In this season, one of the clearest signs of God’s kindness has been the way He has provided for the future.

For years, Sandra and the leadership team had been praying about succession. As a senior leader, she knew the church needed younger leaders who could carry the vision forward. Eventually, God began highlighting David and Hannah, a couple with roots in the church family who had been living in Tulsa and serving at Harvest Church in Broken Arrow.

At first, it was not on their radar. But months later, David contacted Sandra and shared that the Lord had spoken to him: “I have need of you in Canada.” In the same week, God also spoke to Hannah. After many conversations and much prayer, David and Hannah moved to Arnprior and began serving as Associate Pastors on January 1, 2026, with a plan in place for them to grow into future leadership.

Then came the practical question every leader knows well: how do we pay for this?

River Stone is a church with people from all walks of life, including many with limited financial means. The leadership knew they could not offer a large package. But they also believed that if God had called David and Hannah, He would provide.

The church is a three-story building, and the third floor had been used as office space. One of the leaders sensed the Lord saying they should renovate it into an apartment for David and Hannah. What they initially hoped would be a $50,000 project became a $100,000 renovation. On November 18, they had only $8,800 in the building fund.

Still, they began.

By January, $110,000 had come in. Eventually the project reached $132,000, and provision continued to arrive from within and beyond the church family. Sandra described it simply: “It just came in from everywhere and anywhere.” People who were not part of the church contributed. Others felt led to give significantly. By the end, David and Hannah have a beautiful home, and River Stone had a tangible testimony: when God calls, He provides.

Sandra calls these “miracles of finance.” But the story is bigger than money. It is a story of obedience, courage, succession, and a church family preparing for the future.

The renovation process of the third story into an apartment.

The completed, renovated apartment.

God is also moving in healing. One of River Stone’s children’s ministry leaders suffered a serious back issue and became almost completely incapacitated. She could barely move, shower, or get up and down the stairs. After prayer over the phone, she rested, woke up, and realized the pain was gone. She stood up with no pain.

A fresh spark of faith has also come through the children. Sandra shared that one Sunday, someone in the church had a brother in the ICU after open-heart surgery, and the family was not sure he would make it. Sandra announced it to the church and asked those in the congregation who had faith to pray. David and Hannah’s almost three-year-old son came to her right away and said, “I want to pray.” Together, they prayed. Later that day, the man turned the corner and is now recovering in a rehab centre.

Since then, the children have been eager to pray. The “little ones” have even begun opening the service in prayer. Sandra said it has “sparked” the church family into greater faith — a beautiful sign that God is stirring hunger, courage, and expectancy across generations.

Children opening up the church service with prayer.

There are also signs of transformation in the community. Sandra shared about a man who had been living on the streets and came to the church. He now has a job and a place to live. These are the kinds of stories that remind us that sowing faithfully matters, even when the harvest comes slowly.

River Stone has made a deliberate choice to be present in its town. Once a month, they feed more than 160 students from the local high school a hot meal and expect the number to rise. At first, they had to go down the road and invite students to come. Now, the students come running. The church has also opened its doors weekly to the homeschooling community, with dozens of students and families using the building. Some know the Lord, some do not, but all are being welcomed.

“We have an attitude,” Sandra said. “We have to be in our community.”

That posture is bearing fruit. River Stone is known in Arnprior for supporting the community. The church also works in relationship with other local churches, joining together in shared services and community expression. There is no need for competition when the Kingdom is advancing.

Looking ahead, Sandra senses that River Stone is on the “precipice of breakthrough.” She believes they are entering a season of growth, both in people coming to the Lord and in the spiritual maturity of the church. The congregation is hungry for the presence of God and hungry to grow.

The presence of God has been coming in a way Sandra describes as beautiful and holy. Not always loud or outwardly dramatic, but sometimes in deep stillness. There are Sundays when worship ends and the room simply rests in silence for several minutes because no one wants to move or speak. Other times, the Lord redirects the service entirely, bringing breakthrough to people in ways no sermon plan could have orchestrated.

Sandra also senses a wider anticipation in the region. As a Catch The Fire cluster leader and someone connected relationally with other pastors, she sees growth and hunger beyond River Stone. In a world where many are anxious, afraid, and uncertain, she believes the wider church is being positioned to take its place with increased influence in the community.

There is faith rising. There is anticipation that is deeper than excitement. There are prophetic dreams and visions speaking of growth. New believers are being filled with the Holy Spirit. People are being prayed for. Leaders are sensing that something is coming.

For Catch The Fire as a global movement, Sandra carries a strong conviction: the new wine needs a wineskin ready to hold it. For her, one key part of that wineskin is intentional discipleship.

Presence and encounter matter deeply. But Sandra believes that what God is bringing must be stewarded by sons and daughters who are growing in maturity, character, healing, and multiplication. At River Stone, discipleship is not merely a program; it is becoming part of the culture. Whether someone has known Jesus for one day or for decades, the call is the same: receive, grow, and pour into someone else.

That is an encouragement for all of us as Catch The Fire leaders around the world.

God is moving in local churches, small towns, renewed buildings, quiet worship moments, courageous succession plans, unexpected provision, community meals, healing testimonies, and ordinary obedience. Not every breakthrough arrives with noise. Sometimes it looks like a church starting a renovation with $8,800 and watching God provide. Sometimes it looks like students running down the street for lunch. Sometimes it looks like a young couple saying yes to Canada. Sometimes it looks like five minutes of holy silence.

River Stone’s story reminds us that the Lord is faithful to the local church. He sees the hidden sowing. He honours courageous obedience. He provides for what He calls forth. And He is preparing His people not just for visitation, but for fruit that remains.

For every Catch The Fire leader praying over succession, provision, discipleship, outreach, healing, or regional breakthrough: be encouraged.

God is saying, “I’m here. I’ll move when I’m given the opportunity. Let’s go bring the Kingdom. I’ve got this.”