Following the merger of Lakeview Wesleyan Church and The River, the congregations met in their first joint service on July 6 under the name of The River.
While Lakeview’s foyer and worship center undergo renovations, the congregation will meet at The River North Campus, located on Ninth Street. Leaders expect Lakeview, now called The River South Campus, to be open for worship services by fall 2026.
“This is a good opportunity for all of us to be reminded that the name that’s over the church isn’t what defines the church,” Chris Williams, Lakeview’s lead pastor, said.
The lead pastors of each church said they see the merger as a win-win for the kingdom of God.
“It’s not about one leader or one pastor. It’s not about me. This isn’t my church. This is God’s Church. He died for it, I did not,” Matthew Trexler, The River’s lead pastor, said.
The pastors first proposed the merger to their church boards earlier this year.
“It was a careful, careful conversation and discussion not taken lightly, and it took place over a couple months,” Bob Burchell said.
Now voted onto The River’s board, Burchell sat as the vice chairman of Lakeview’s board of administration, having also served as the assistant pastor from 2003 to 2008.
“You know we’re coming to the end of our first five-year vision, and so in consideration for the next five years, Pastor Chris called the special board meeting to explore that with the board and shared with us that he thought the vision could be spoken into by the board instead of just him,” Burchell said.
He said the board discussed issues Lakeview had, including maintenance costs and lower attendance numbers, which impacted the church’s ministry.
“We looked at seven scenarios and categorically, kind of dismissed the ones that were obvious,” Burchell said. “One of the options was merge with another congregation to strengthen that congregation but also have that congregation be able to strengthen us.”
Building onto the merging scenario, Williams offered the idea of merging with The River.
“We had several meetings to talk specifically about merging with The River and including Matthew Trexler and his wife meeting with us,” Burchell said.
The board voted to take the proposal and ultimate decision to the membership of Lakeview.
“I don’t mind going on record saying that I waited to vote because I didn’t want my vote to be something that was self-serving,” Burchell said.
Seeking God’s direction
Chris Williams said he first got the idea for the merger two years ago during January 2023’s 21 Days of Prayer.
“We were really focused on Matthew 6:33, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,’” Williams said. “And I … (felt) the Lord sharing with me an idea of these two churches coming together to serve our community.”
Williams said he kept the idea private but mentioned it to Matthew Trexler.
Trexler said he felt opposed until other people in his life pushed him or became moved themselves.
“A coaching friend of mine challenged me with the idea that there has to be another church with enough space that the two of you could hook wagons together and continue to reach the 42,000 people in this county,” he said.
The River has added 500 attendees since 2020, with a growth of 37% over the last 12 months for an average attendance of 1,800. The church’s current building, formerly Lincoln Elementary School, no longer meets all of the congregation’s needs.
“We had outgrown the space that we’re presently in,” Trexler said. “We were looking at all kinds of different angles to figure out how to add more space, open up more seats, because more seats equals more souls that we’re trying to reach for the kingdom.”
Williams served as Lakeview’s lead pastor starting in May 2020 and immediately faced challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When we could finally bring people back into the building, we had about 115 people gathering for worship on a Sunday morning,” he said.
Several years ago, Lakeview averaged 1,300 in attendance. The church reached an average of over 300 before the merger.
“We’ve been trying to, obviously, grow the church, reach people in our community, serve needs, you know, make a difference,” Williams said.
Handling multiple issues while trying to grow and serve presented challenges to both congregations. Working together could offer solutions.
“You’ve got to consistently figure out, if you’re going to keep growing, how do you pivot into the next season?” Trexler said.
Taking it to vote
During meetings with the congregations before they voted, pastors shared their reasons for pursuing a merger and listened to members’ concerns.
Fifty-seven members, roughly a third of Lakeview’s membership roll, voted against the merger compared to two members from The River who voted against it.
“I don’t take that lightly,” Bob Burchell said.
He also said that the members who voted against the merger need to feel supported.
Karen Hershberger, a longtime member of Lakeview, has served on the church’s missions committee and in other volunteer roles. She said she did not vote in favor of the merger.
“I felt like before our pastor’s proposal, Lakeview was not looking to dissolve or merge with another church,” she said.
Still, Hershberger said she understands the situation.
“I feel like there can probably be some good things that come of it, but I was just not for it personally,” she said.
Others from Lakeview, such as Janet Richardson, said the change will be hard.
Richardson attended both Lakeview Wesleyan Church and Lakeview Christian School. Over the years, members of her family have served as leaders for both ministries.
“I’ve been involved at Lakeview my whole life, so it’s just a shock that it’s no longer going to be Lakeview,” Richardson said.
Before deciding to attend The River, Richardson said her family needs to discuss their options and tour the children’s facilities.
Many issues factored into the voting process. Burchell said he considered more than Lakeview when he cast his vote.
“When it came down to it for me, it was about stewardship of kingdom property,” Burchell said.
Moving ahead as one
Lakeview brings property to the partnership that includes three buildings with approximately 100,000 square feet of usable space. One building houses Life Center Counseling and another Westminster Preschool’s south campus.
Lakeview Christian School, which operates independently from the church, will hold classes in its current space for the 2025-2026 school year. After the school relocates, The River will renovate that portion of the building to better serve the growing ministry.
Because of the merger, the church can better focus its resources.
“We’ll be spending less money to run the organization, (and have) more money to do what the organization’s mission is,” Chris Williams said.
One of these missions is to reach younger generations.
“I see a lot of team growth and development, as far as welcoming any new team members. I also see some exciting new kid spaces in the near future as well,” Mallory Retherford said.
Retherford currently serves as The River Kids pastor and said she’s excited for joint ministry.
“I am actually someone who loves to think of the future. But recently, God’s really just been speaking to me about what’s happening right now,” she said.
After the merger, Matthew Trexler remains The River’s lead pastor while Williams becomes an executive pastor alongside Amy Biegel. Other staff members are listed on the church’s website, theriver.cc.
“It’s exciting and kind of nerve-racking all at the same time, to see how things will go,” Bob Burchell said. “(We)’ve done this and (want it) to be effective and work. So we’re trusting that God will bless it that way.”
The River meets on Sundays at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m. Starting Aug. 7, the church will run Thursday evening services, identical to the Sunday services, for people whose schedules don’t allow them to attend on the weekends.
Local services take place at The River’s 759 S. Lenfesty Ave. location.
