“For The City” has been an anthem for Richwoods that has motivated us to engage our city and surrounding communities in creative ways. The next step of that work is to expand our church’s impact by bringing a new local church to the East Bluff community located in Peoria! We believe that God has miraculous things planned for the families of East Bluff and that this new church will be a beacon of hope within our city!
He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes. — Deuteronomy 10:21
Keep scrolling for more details or CLICK HERE to visit the Centerpoint website.
Our Ultimate Why
Why plant and start a new church? (This isn’t a new campus, but rather its own autonomous church.)
- Matthew 28:18-20 — All authority has been given to Jesus, and He has sent us. As we grow, we reproduce.
- Luke 4:18 — Jesus was anointed to proclaim good news and declare freedom. We are sent where the people are who need good news and freedom. We aren’t trying to increase our name/reputation, but we’re on a rescue mission to make Jesus known in the East Bluff.
Our Ultimate How
Led by Colossians 4:2-6, we aim to be:
- Devoted to prayer (vs. 2)
- Alert in mind and heart for this community (vs. 2b)
- Seeking God-given opportunities to share the mystery of Christ (vs. 3a)
- Remembering our “why” (Vs. 3b)
- Speaking as plainly, graciously, and attractively as possible (vs. 4, 6)
- Living wisely and never wasting a moment (vs. 5)
Our Ultimate What
*Richwoods East Bluff will have the same heart as Knoxville, but different methods.
*This new gathering will look and feel different from Knoxville — ministry will happen street by street, house by house, one family at a time.
Our Ultimate When
As the Lord leads, opens, and makes clear, we’ll move. There are plans being made, but there are still many uncertainties. We want our when to be his when. We want something that will last, not something that will just get up and running ASAP.
Prov. 16:9, Psalm 37:23, Jeremiah 10:23 — We are waiting on the Lord and we don’t know how or when He’ll do it, but we’re going to “weaponize the waiting” and practice patience with intention.
FAQs:
Who will pastor the new church?
Through prayerful consideration, the nudging of the Holy Spirit, and Brian Russell’s humble willingness to serve, Pastor Brian was ordained at Richwoods on October 23, 2025 and began his role as full-time Lead Pastor on November 1, 2025. We are also praying for God to provide a second pastor to join this pastoral team.
We are prayerful about each aspect of this new church, and that includes when it will officially open. Pastor Brian and the Core Team are already serving in the East Bluff Community. Our hope is that the official launch date will happen on Easter in 2026.
Where will be the new church be located?
We are currently in discussions with the Catholic Diocese of Peoria with regard to some property they have available within East Bluff. Once we know for certain that a property has been agreed upon, we will make a public announcement.
Do we plan on doing things in the EB community in the coming months?
Yes! We have held community engagement opportunities in East Bluff including a prayer walk, cookout, Trunk or Treat, and supported the East Bluff food pantry.
Our hope is that regular touchpoints with the residents of the community will make them aware that God is doing a new work among them. We also hope to use these events to network, find people who want to join in what God is doing, and find ways we can serve East Bluff families.
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Prayer Needs:
If you want to join us in prayer, then the following list can be a guide for you. Please check back as we will update this prayer list as new requests and needs arise.
- Wisdom as we take next steps toward planting this new local church.
- Open doors for community engagement and networking.
- God’s provision of property, leadership, and finances for a successful launch.
- Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of families in East Bluff.
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200 people to join the Launch Team. (The Holy Spirit has already led 100 people to join us; we feel that God can move in the hearts of 200 people to help launch Centerpoint.)