James River Church Review

If one would have told me I would be a member of a Christian church ten years ago I would have laughed and displayed a most bizarre expression to you. James River Church, through the grace of God, literally rescued me from a ocean of darkness. Riddled with depression and horrible life controlling issues, I nearly gave up on life. The moment I entered the doors of our South campus sanctuary in 2009, the Spirit of God sank in my heart and tears streamed from my eyes. The Gospel was presented in a shockingly elegant, splendiferous manner by Pastor John Lindell, a man with obvious passion for the Lord and notable knowledge of scripture. I knew I was in the right place from hour one. Do not let the size fool you, this church is gifted in making a large church seem small. I moved away only to move back ten months later specifically for what James River has to offer. Making each individual feel special through earnest love and providing an awesome atmosphere to worship the living God.

James River Church has so many opportunities to get involved in ministry. Their events are amazing, especially the Men's Conference! Highly recommend this church to anyone seeking a church home.

Spirit filled service with truth being proclaimed every time Pastor John speaks.

I love JRC. Very anointed preaching. Wonderful people who love to serve God with their whole hearts. I feel God's presence always when we gather to worship. We are the church.. Welcome HOME!! If you do not have a home church, we would love for you to visit!!

I have attended James River South Campus for just over 3 months and it immediately has become home. The people are so welcoming and are so ready to greet you with a smile and a wave and help you with anything you need help with.

Posted by Matt Peyson - What can I say? Coming to James River church was like coming home for me. John and Debbie are so loving and so giving of themselves and their time. I was in a very trying time and I sort of ambushed John one morning after serves because I just had to have some Godly counsel concerning my then estranged wife. John not only took the time to talk with me, but when Debbie his wife came out to the truck, she immediately offered her help not having any idea who I was. My then ex wife and I are now happily remarried and and I don't believe it would have happened without James River Church. Thank you God for James River Church and for John and Debbie Lindell, I and my family are in your debt. We love you and we love the family at James River Church.

You can truly feel the presence of the Lord here. Great place to be

I cannot say how much this church has impacted my life. Because of JRC my faith is stronger, I better understand God and the Bible, and I have an incredible community where I am continually strengthened and encouraged.

I have attended both their South Campus in Ozark, MO and their West Campus in Springfield, MO. They are both great places to attend. Both campuses you will feel at home and valued greatly, because the community is very relational and uplifting.

Amazing Church! Amazing People! Superb Preaching and Worship!! Starbucks in the main Atrium! Top notch youth and kids programs! These guys do it well! Keep it up!

Totally AWESOME... Thank you Sis Debbie for opening up yall's Church to this wonderful event... I love the ladies Conference, I so NEEDED it

Absolutely the best place on earth!!! Our family has attended for years and we are so thankful for the incredible leadership and authentic relationships we've built. James River is people-oriented and love their community. Thousands of people are helped every year through various ministries throughout the church. If you're looking for a church home, come visit. You won't be disappointed!

I love this church and community at South Campus! The way JRC welcomes people home is incredible! Our lead pastor, John Lindell, is extraordinary!

If you like a large group of people at services, this is the place to go. Pastor John Lindell is an excellent teacher and well worth coming to his services for. The choir is well rehearsed and the song selections very comfortable. There is something here for everyone with a very well organized management and staff team to assist.

This church has given us a place to call home. My husband was saved here, my children baptized. It is a large church that is easy to plug into to make it personal. Expository preaching, and a strong presence of God. We are heavily involved in missions and our community and welcome EVERYONE!

Really great church! They have lots of different ways to get involved and the people there really care about you. There are so many different life-groups to join, and serving teams to join.

Prayer meeting was wonderful, worship music was uplifting and I always feel the Lord's presence.

If you're using reviews to determine which place to worship or what part of God's global family to lock arms with, let me encourage you to turn off your phone and intently seek God for direction with faith + prayers for these answers you look for. God WILL lead you in wisdom when you ask Him in faith (James 1:5-8).... guaranteed!

See, God did that for me and that's how I found James River Church. I had a deep hunger for God yet looked skeptically, as a local outsider, upon James River. I thought the people there were going to be a bunch of hypocrites, the teaching was just going to be sheep fluff to get people back each week, that people just go there to socialize but not really seek Jesus, and that the general consensus of the place was going to be "let's worship and congratulate ourselves." Let me make this clear: that was not James River's fault. That was mine. See, I heard a lot of bad about James River all over, in religious and anti-religious settings alike. I began to believe that without talking with God about it and listening to him. I began to stereotype and judge the megachurch context without once stepping into the building or talking with anyone there or listening to the messages....just judging from the outside. I just would feed on what the naysayers would put out there. It was the anti-religious crowd's opposition that began to intrigue me to the place of prayer and pondering with God. I ended up deciding to visit the place myself and I was absolutely shocked to the core. Nothing I judged the church so harshly on in such brazen ignorance was actually true. I began to worship God together and come back for more. I soon became part of the James River Church family, in the sense that I built relationship and connected with the church as family: worshipping God there each week, relationships with people/the church, identifying as a member, serving, joining a life group, tithing there, growing in God together. Being a part of this family was in the darkest season I've ever experienced in my life and they were brightly shining the only source of light in all my deep darkness: Jesus. Yay God, He brought me out of that pit of darkness and made me stronger than ever in Him. I am now married and my wife and I are connected into the James River family, and pray to grow more and more connected together as family. I grow so much in renewing my mind and growing in perfect love and living in faith with these powerful messages here. Serving is a joy, witnessing God's amazing power at work here is full of awe, and being transformed more and more each day is nothing less than amazing, and James River is part of that. No, this church is not perfect and there are things I disagree with (as everywhere) but that makes no difference - it's all about Him and He's there, He led us there, and we're there to love God first and love people...not be there for us. Sure, we'll be the change we want to see and grow together into Christ who is the head of the church. Each part from the broom-pusher to the preacher, when doing what God made us to do, grows up into being one body glorifying the head...Jesus! (Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12). We're so thankful to God for our James River family who we love so much!

Great place to worship. James River is an awesome5 ministry. Great for children and they are truly giving back to the community, especially in helping the poor.

Has so much changed my life for the better! The staff is wonderful!

The friendliest and most loving church I've ever attended. The teaching is clear, practical, insightful and without compromise. Hard Bible passages are not avoided but given in a way to deliver you and not beat you up. The altar calls are NOT a walk of shame but rather a walk of fame. They will celebrate and embrace your repentance and help you to walk the walk. A great place of encouragement for the whole family.

This church is the healthiest church I have ever been to. If you want to go to a church that PRAYS, this is it. They pray so much and it is obvious when you walk into the building, there is a special anointing on this place

My family and I have loved this church for years! It's so great to have a church our kids are excited to get up early and get ready to go to!

Wonderful church family .....we been active with our church for 10 plus years....praise him

The best children's & youth ministries anywhere! Excellent teaching & friendly people make this a great church!

You like mega churches this is a great one if you don't I would probably find something smaller.

My family and I moved to Springfield 7 months ago and started attending James River Church. It's been incredible to see how much God is moving and changing the lives of so many people through the love and generosity of all who attend here. We are blessed to call JRC our home church. We truly feel apart of this great family of believers!

Wherever you are in life there is a place for you in the body of Christ. There are not any requirements or obligations! Family! Wholesome, healthy, God-fearing people who love community and have a passion for spreading the name of Jesus. I feel like these past 3 years at James River Church have not only shaped me but challenged me and grown me in numerous ways. The leadership at this church is phenomenal, and Pastor John s heart and vision are effectively and amazingly reflected among every staff member at both campuses. I love that this church cares for more than it s congregation, but they have ministries that go and be the hands and feet of Jesus in OUR community. I love this place, and I hope to see YOU there!

Visited with my granddaughter. Such a warm, friendly group. I loved it!
If I lived in Ozark, I would be there!!

I have attended James River Church almost 18 years and have loved it the entire time. I haven't any other church regularly in my life before but from the other churches I have visited I can honestly say that James River is clearly a blessing from God. Every ministry in the church is lead by amazing volunteers and staff, many of whom I have gotten to know over the years. The teaching is expository on Sundays and topical on Wednesdays which is perfect for making sure that every aspect of Christianity is covered and is my personal preference. Also, I love the amazing range of people we (I say "we" because I call it home and am part of it) minister to. There is no specific age group that we target because Jesus came for everyone. Even those who say they "don't like large crowds" find James River to be an uplifting and relaxing place, especially after getting involved in one of the amazing life groups. James River Church is just an amazing blessing.

They opened up with heavy metal music, I walked out during service. I won t be going back. I ll pray for you all.

Never have I experienced a church like this. They really do make a big church feel small. My favorite part about this church is the volunteers. They are hard working, dedicated people that intentionally love on individuals. Serving alongside them has build my character and taught me to enjoy every opportunity to serve.

I've attended both South and West Campus and I'm never disappointed. Thank you so much JRC and to our Pastors for investing in people like me.

I have attended james river church for about a year now,and I absolutely love it! when I first went I loved how welcomed they made me feel,and the smiles on everyone's faces! Now I am a volunteer at james river church and I love it, and I love to see all that God has done in the church! Its definitely worth a visit:)

I had an awesome time at James River Church. Thank you for sharing DFL with me. What a life experience. God BLESS YOU ALL!

I started when it was much smaller. Pastor John Lindal. Paste John changed my life. The people and staff are amazing. I went there for many years somtimes 3 times a week in groups. So Amazing. Also there class Living Free I watched that class grow so fast. Then had to move to Kansas and leaving James River Church tore my heart out. I have tried to find a church like that but have not yet and it's been 10 years. Going to a Wednesday night service with my dear friend Odeser and her kids. I no now I will never find a church like James River. But I will find my new church home. Just need to stay at 1 church for awhile and give it a chance and slso put it in GOD'S hands.
So thank you Pastor Lindal for teaching me so much and also the Leaders of Living Free.
Thank You
Debbie Lowe

Amazing Church! Amazing People! Amazing Preaching and Worship!!

James River Church is and will always be a church home for me! There are so many aspects that make James River the best in various aspects.

First and foremost, I love that the South Campus is so conveniently placed in North Ozark. It's so close to my home!

I really appreciate that the word of God is preached very clearly and within context!

The worship experience is always anointed and let's me encounter God in unique ways.

The Kids and Youth programs are the best that I've ever seen within a church! If you are a young family, you should really consider James River Church!

If you are looking for a church family with full engagement for your family James River is for you. If your not sure about all this God stuff come and explore your questions.

James River makes you feel at home. And you have many ways to get connected with the church. The Lindell's are wonderful and passionate people.

I gave my life to God here. A true blessing. Every service hits an area in my life and I know that's God speaking through the preachers/pastors mouths! Amen!

Awesome church..they will welcome you home...it has changed our family and our lives

I love James River Church! I used to be intimidated by how big it was, but once I started getting involved in a Life Group and getting to know the people, it felt like a family.
The preaching is fantastic, the worship is amazing, and I'm astounded by how much they put into their kid's and youth programs.

Pastor John Lindell is the most amazing preacher I've ever heard. His sermons are easy to follow and understand. The people are great!!!

From Bakersfield CA
Blessed. Praises to GOD. Abundant love and family of GOD. Blessings that reach the world.
Thank you for blessing us as we attended the Springfield MO campus.
Thank you LORD

My husband and I have been first attendees and then members since moving from Calif. in 2004. WE LOVE this church! We even held "Life Group" at our home on Sunday evenings for years. This Church has been BLESSED by Pastor John Lindell, he preaches nothing but the word of GOD, OUT of the Living Bible! And whomever said that they have "pedifiles" working in the Child Care is NOT true at all. I used to volunteer in that dept. and my back ground was throughly checked BEFORE they would even allow me to think about coming on board. They have a very STRUCTURED AND SECURED area of security in this area...grandparents can't even pick up their grandkids unless their fingerprints are in the System! My grand daughters LOVE their Sundays there!

Such an incredible church. We love it. It took us a little while to get used to the size of the congregation, but we found that James River does a great job of breaking that congregation into smaller pieces called life groups. It's a great way to make a large church become a community.

The amount of good they are doing in Springfield is outstanding.

All I can say is welcome home. A great place of worship. No condemnation. Hear about God's grace here. The main campus is in Ozark Missouri along with a west campus and now a north campus.
Word and worship. Experience it yourself.
Starbucks inside! Don't take Starbucks gift cards though. Come as you are, leave different.

If you do not want your hearing damaged, stay away. I found out after my visit that they actually hand out ear plugs at the front desk. There is no doubt that the decibel level in there is way over the safe allowance. The whole worship service is a fake pre-planned put-on show. We sang (in one note, mostly screamed) simple minded repetitious phrases over and over. There are no pews, instead very uncomfortable tiny movie theater type seats that fold. Thus, there is no where to sit anything, had to hold my purse in my lap the whole time-that or just put your stuff in the floor I guess. There are literally thousands of people there to the point that it is an impersonal mob of faces. The teens sitting in front of me have apparently never heard of modesty, wearing their underwear on the outside of their clothes...Most everyone there didn't dress any more thoughtfully than if they were going to a ball game. The sermon was good, but the overall experience was really short of feeling like a 'family'...and more like 'take a number'.

This place is amazing!!!! James River Church is the place where I first got saved. I got discipled in this church and I made so many amazing relationships throughout my time there.
Pastors John and Debbie are so full of love and compassion for people!!! I now live in Florida where I m furthering my ministry training. I wouldn t be where I am today if it wasn t for what God is doing in James River Church.

I have felt at home in a church only once as an adult. I am facing a move, and find myself nervous with the notion of finding a new church family. I know that I have had limited exposure at James River Church, but in almost every interaction, I have felt welcomed. I am not sure what will come from my future interactions and connectivity at James River, but I have loved what I have seen so far, and I welcome the spiritual growth that I know will come in my future, and I welcome the role that James River Church will play in my growth, and pull towards the Lord! God bless any and all who visit any James River Church Campus, or any other church for that matter! Get connected and grow... God is good all the time!

Amazing! You can't afford not to attend. Our souls need food.

I've been going to the virtual life group and it is very welcoming and so is the church in the Ozarks. They have been very helpful and kind and loving.

My daughter and i moved to Springfield a little over 2 1/2 years ago and my daughter grew up in James river church and she loves it. We both love the church and we can it our home church. We don't know no other church then James River.

I have to give them a 4 because I would like to see some of the Men s Conference and Bible study online. I live in Dallas County in MO and it s hard to attend the Men s Ministry then Wed and Sundays Online.

This is the best Church ever, I attend reaife and the lead pastor Chris does an amazing job. When your there no matter what happens in service, like the power in the mike goes of everyone pays no attention to it at all. Also right when you walk into Realife Student Ministries you can feel Gods presence. I spoke in tongues before the first song once. They also have camp ground which are amazing, its the best thing ever. Theirs no words to describe how amazing it is you have to go there to know how amazing it is. And that's just a fraction of how good James River Assembley.

The Holy Spirit is usually very evident and you almost always as get a rhema word for your life.

This place has been my home,the place where I have been able to grow in my personal relationship with christ and also a place to grow in my faith. I have never been to a place where God's presence was so overwhelming (in a good way) and powerful . I'm thankful for my leaders Pastor John and Debbie lindell for there willingness to obey God with the direction of the church and the way the lovingly lead.

I thoroughly enjoy the messages presented by Pastor John, and the others when they take over..
I missed this morning service on Ch3...
Hoping it hasn't been discontinued

Most friendly and Godly. Sermons bring God into your heart in this place. This is a mega church I feels like home

Amazing outpouring of God's love through preaching of the gospel. People are giving their lives to Jesus Christ. Randy and I love James River Church!!!

Personally, I love James River Church, it is not a perfect church, by any means, but what church is? God has blessed me so much since I start I started attending James River at their South Campus, three years ago as a teenager. I have grown so much in my walk with the Lord since I have been attending, serving, and enjoying all that God has been and is doing through this incredible Church. Not only is James River's main services wonderful but their youth ministry realife is also amazing. For it is through realife I was first connected to this church. I know God s favor and grace rests mightily on this place.I could not image where I would be if God had not brought this church family into my life.

It seems like the Church has Become Theatrical with dancing and less Preaching. You Have To Give Your Checking or Credit Card Information to the Church. There's people who wants to Thithe and Sorry but that show's greed more than what poor people can do. You charge for snacks and drinks. Most Churches Provide. I'm not Being Judgemental but You Need To Ask Is That What God Would Want? I'm on disability and I Couldn't Afford To Go To Your Church. It's Also Sad So Many Homeless and Hungry People Are Around This Area. The Cost of Building A New Church Cost 14 million dollars and that Could Have Helped People like that. I'm On This Earth To Worship and Praise God My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ My Savoiur. Jesus Didn't Put On A Big Show He Taught Others.

James River knows how to make a big Church feel small... My mom was recently in the hospital (for about a week). The Church sent her flowers and a pastor visited and prayed with her everyday. They also found out that my mom's bed mate didn't have anyone visiting her, so they sent her flowers too and continued to visit her, even after my mom was released form the hospital. Both my mom and her bed mate were so encouraged by the Church's care for them. James River truly loves people!

Always try to stop by JRC when I travel through Springfield! Solid, biblical teaching and a focus on connecting people to build positive relationships. Such a wonderful church!

We always go to this church when we are here visiting my son and family because it's the church that they go to and we enjoy going. James River Church is a very friendly church, with good praise and worship, good messages and outreaches.

If you want a church that says they have core values in Jesus Christ this is completely against the Bible s teachings, Entertainment money control it s not a true prophecy of any church Your expectation at this church is about loyalty to the pastor and worshiping him

Love this church! It's also a great way to advertise or market your business!

Excellent Christ Centered place for people who want to know the love of God in Christ. What an incredible ministry!!

This church may look big from the outside but just step in and feel the love. Teaching from the Bible directly, Pastor John leads the church attendees in an easy to understand, welcoming manner. Folks coming in to listen seldom leave without returning and making JRC their church home.

My family visited James River about 10 years ago I feel in love with it then when I went to the youth group then and now I am actually counted it as my hike church. My parents have been going to hangs River for now 6 years. My daughter and I have been going since 2013 and I had people worried about being in service with a 2 week almost 3 week old baby that the music would be to loud for her but it wasn't and she lives being in the praise and worship part of service had a hard time with her when she got 1-2 years old she had a rough time but the teachers and coaches where very helpful and she grew attached to them and she gives them all a big hug and tells then that she will see them the following week. She also loves zooper church, the elephant when you first walk on where you check the kids in, and she always asks for offering do she can put it in the twirling offering bucket they have for kids. I could let her do it when I am checking her in and the staff smokes when they see her running across the atrium to put her change in. She also has fun going up to her class, zooper church, and the play area. Also she gets into the music and bible study they have for the kids in zooper church. I also had her in the baby dedication when she was only a month and half before she ever started nursery. Plus a lot of staff know her and they automatically know when I leave my check in card at home who I checking in.

Amazing community, great preaching, and ministries for all ages. I love it!