Who We Are

At ROLW Church, a Non-denominational, Spirit-filled church located in Maplewood, Minnesota, our vision is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry priorities and to be part of the River Valley Fellowship of Ministries (RVFM). 

At ROLW, we are real people who know and worship a real Jesus, who helps us overcome real problems so we can become real testimonies of His love and faithfulness! We believe that God is bigger, better, and closer than we can imagine, and that He loves us and wants us to experience Him, ultimately offering us eternal life. The Bible serves as God’s perfect guidebook for living. Nothing in creation, including our spiritual image of God, “just happened.” God made it all and through the role of the Holy Spirit, He can bring good even out of evil events. God promised victory over evil to those who choose salvation through Jesus Christ. The church is called to serve people just as Jesus served people.

There is only one God, the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator and Ruler of the universe, who has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and represent one God, reflecting the spiritual image of God. Through the ministry priorities of the church, we understand that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all. Furthermore, the role of the Holy Spirit is essential in guiding believers toward eternal life and fulfilling their divine purpose. Genesis 1:1,26,27; I Kings 8:60; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal and one with the Father. He lived a sinless human life and was crucified on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for the salvation through Jesus Christ for all who would believe in His name. By rising from the dead after three days, He demonstrated His power over sin and death, offering eternal life to those who follow Him. Jesus ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fulfilling His ministry priorities. The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in guiding believers to reflect the spiritual image of God, as seen in scriptures like Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:22-23, John 10:15-16, John 14:7-11, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 1:3-4, I Corinthians 15:3-4, I Timothy 6:14-15, and Hebrews 4:14-15.

The Holy Spirit is co-equal and one with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for salvation through Jesus Christ. The role of the Holy Spirit is to transform and dwell within every Christian from the moment of salvation. He empowers believers for living, provides understanding of spiritual truth, and guides them in making the right choices as they witness for Jesus. Each believer receives spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, which are to be utilized according to His will in their ministry priorities. There is a 'baptism' of the Holy Spirit that occurs after salvation, and as Christians, we strive to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Living under His control daily enables us to reflect the spiritual image of God and bear the fruit of the Spirit. John 14:16,17; John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; Acts 19:1-7; I Corinthians 2:12; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13

People are created in the spiritual image of God, making them the supreme object of His creation. While humanity possesses tremendous potential for good, it is often hindered by an attitude of disobedience toward God, referred to as “sin.” This sin results in an eternal separation from God, which can only be reconciled through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of salvation through Jesus Christ. The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in guiding individuals toward this relationship, enabling them to embrace their ministry priorities and ultimately attain eternal life.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is God’s free gift of eternal life, offered to all who receive it by faith. No amount of self-improvement or good works can compensate for our sin. Jesus Christ lived, died, rose again, and ascended into Heaven to secure our salvation. It is only by trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord that we can be saved from the penalty of sin, which is eternity in Hell. This trust is expressed through confessing with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Additionally, we must put our lives under the Lordship of Christ, reflecting the spiritual image of God. The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in helping us understand and live out these truths, aligning our ministry priorities with the teachings of the Bible. Key scriptures include John 1:12; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9,10; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; and Titus 3:5.

People were created to exist forever, reflecting the spiritual image of God. After death, one will either experience eternal life united with God in Heaven or be eternally separated from Him in Hell. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is offered to every individual who places their faith in Him. This aligns with ministry priorities that emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers towards this truth. Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:44,46; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15

Biblical ministry is relational by nature and is the action of God carried out primarily through His people. The ministry priorities reflect the essential relationships Christians have with God, His people, and the world. Our first priority is to minister to God through worship, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our hearts. Our second priority is to nurture God’s people, fostering a community that reflects the spiritual image of God. Finally, our third priority is to minister to the world through mission, sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Each member is called to discover and utilize their spiritual gifts within the body of Christ as we work towards eternal life. I Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11-13; I Peter 4:10,11