Simple Supper at River Street Church of God

By: Mckenzie Gerdes

Simple Supper is a community dinner hosted by River Street Church of God in Newberg every Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This dinner is open to anyone who needs a meal.

I stepped inside the open church doors on a pleasant evening a few weeks ago, and was greeted with the pleasant smell of dinner cooking. Volunteers were moving around tables set up for people to sit and eat. To-go meal bags were waiting close to the entrance for those who could only stop by for a moment. Within a few minutes I was having a conversation with Pastor Doug Balzar, who told me about the past, present, and future of Simple Supper and other outreaches the church pursues.

Pastor Doug said that Simple Supper is a way to give people a “genuine community dinner” and help them feel like they “belong.”

The Simple Supper is not the only outreach project River Street Church of God promotes. They also provide a place to shower for those without housing on Wednesdays from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Starting soon they will host a watch party for the television series “The Chosen”  from 6:45-8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, as well. 

Once a month, River Street Church of God has a community movie night for families. The church also has a neighborhood BBQ twice a year. These missions, often meeting important needs like food and a shower, have resulted in River Street Church being given the title, “the church that cares,” from regular attenders of the outreaches.

There are many ways to support these community outreaches, but one of the best ways is by volunteering. River Street Church of God is always looking for more people to help with the Simple Supper, which involves starting the meals at the church in the afternoon, and serving the meals to people closer to the evening. They have volunteers of all different faith backgrounds who join together to support the Newberg community through this outreach.

The church is open to creative ideas for more outreaches and appreciates different perspectives. The goal is to “reconnect with community,” said Balzar, and to provide a way for people to hear about Christ if that is something they are interested in.

River Street Church is aiming to show true fellowship and friendliness through these events and to promote the message that anyone will “belong” here.For more information on events and volunteer opportunities, visit River Street Church of God’s website.

Photo courtesy: River Street Church of God