Small town life is compelling to some because of the stability of the unchanging lay of the land. If you are from a small town, you may be away for years and return to find the familiar buildings, roads, fields mostly unchanged. The crops, mostly farmed by the same families as when you were born, stores which have the old shopkeeper with his congenial way of selling to the the customers, are in the same location. If the the buildings have been painted, the owner was just as happy to stick with the same color, which he has probably been in the bucket in the storage since he painted last time. (Remember, it was still wet when you wrecked your bike into his wall making made him and your mother very unhappy. Moms forgotten but he still remembers.) There is something compelling about the familiar. Those of us who have loved the small town life long enough to never leave know this is true.

So, when change comes to this same town, the news spreads fast. The coffee house conversation is all about the change. In Riverdale, there is a big wrinkle in the fabric of the familiar. Right in the entrance to town, punching the sky at 50 feet high, a steel super structure rises in one of those formerly familiar open fields. Riverdale Christian Academy was recently on an honor roll trip in the city of Fresno, 40 miles away, a cashier took interest in the students and their conduct. "What school are you from?" was the question. When Riverdale was mentioned, her eyes lit up. "Are you the one's building the big church on the corner?" She had some ties to family in the area and they had been talking about the project.

Riverdale Assembly does need more room and this building will be a blessing to ministries which are sharing offices and storage. This by product of interest I pray will also be a blessing to people who are curious enough to venture in and around the church. Maybe some down and out individual will find a new life within these walls. Our Pastor Spencer always says, "If it's alive it will grow!" The signs of life will also attract some who are looking to find a new and better life. Being the talk of the town is great. What we really want is to help another soul find Jesus. Changing the familiar always causes a stir. Changing the old life of sin for a new life in Christ causes the angels to rejoice.

Back to Photo Gallery