ministries.

                               Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered biblically-based recovery program for individuals and their familieswho are dealing with emotional distress and addictive issues. The purpose of celebrate recovery is to embrace God's healing power in our lives. We open the door by sharing our experiences, strengths, and hopes with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God's grace in solving our lives' problems, pain, shame, and addictions. Check us out at www.myspace.com/celebraterecoverychurch ________________________________________________________________________________

Small Groups

If you are looking for a way to meet new people then cells foryou. You can mature in your Christian walk and experienceevangelism on a weekly basis. These groups meet in homes, restaurants, and multiple other places, and are centered around helping one another to be successful as Christians.We invite you to become a part of one of our small groups.

Click Here to download the weekly cell lesson.

Nursery
We believe that children are a gift from God, and we want to nurture and protect these precious little ones. RIO Central provides a multi-room nursery during every service, offering a chance for infants through 3 years old to grow and learn in an environment suited just to them.

Children
Children’s Church is in full swing during both Sunday morning services. Our Praisin’ Station provides the fuel necessary to help your children grow to be strong men and women of God. With great praise and worship, fun and games, Bible study, preaching on their level, and exciting ministry opportunities, we guarantee that your child will want to come to church! (ages 4-5th grade)

Boys and Girls Clubs meet on Wednesday nights at 7 PM (ages 4 – 5th grade.) These age and gender-divided groups make learning fun as your children studies what the Bible has to say about every single area in their lives.

Youth
APEX Youth Ministries is one church with five locations. We believe that we should be exteme in life, love, and worship and we show that in everything that we do. At all of our locations, you will find Youth Pastors and Youth Workers that want to see the youth of this generation leading their peers toward Christ. We believe that this generation of Middle and High School students will be involved in the biggest revival we have ever seen in this world.

Our youth have the opportunity to be involved in ministry through Worship Bands, Mission Trips, Dance Teams, Drama Teams, and Small Groups every week. We believe that God has placed the potential in all of our youth to lead this generation toward Christ.

For more information, go to our website at
www.myspace.com/rioyouth.

Sunday School
We believe that studying the Bible and applying Biblical principles are important to the life of every Christian. We offer multiple adult Sunday School classes, ranging from book studies to topical discussions to curriculum-based groups. Children can enjoy age-appropriate classes that will help them grow in the Lord.

Senior Ministry
For all those that are 55 years old and up, we have a great Seniors Ministry! We believe everyone has a place in the body of Christ, and that everyone is important. Monthly outings include lunches, trips to the mountains, and lots more.

Widows Ministry
Our widows that are 70 years and older are some of our greatest prayer warriors. This group meets with Pastor Ronnie, his wife Jeannie, and Executive Pastor Christi Prater on a regular basis, sharing food, fellowship and prayer.

Intercessory Prayer – all three areas
We believe that we are only as strong as our prayer cover. Our intercessory prayer teams specifically pray for the staff and leadership of the church, for our mission outreaches, and for the future plans of the church. Our team leaders oversee each area of this ministry, and are available to help in any way.

Praise Team / Choir
At Rio central, our services are strategically planned to create an atmosphere of worship. This is accomplished by people of God coming together in unity, singing songs of praise and worship that become the heart’s cry of the church. Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and with a passion for excellence, the worship team strives each week to lead the congregation into the very presence of God. We do this with a blend of modern music styles and genres. We strongly believe in the pattern of worship that God established in His Word. Our service begins in the outer court as we sing jubilant songs of praise. Slowly, we begin to move into the inner courts and the Holy of Holies with intimate songs of worship that are sung directly to the Father. It is in this atmosphere that transformational worship takes place – people’s lives are changed and set free. Hope is restored. The garment of praise replaces the spirit of heaviness. Our goal is to lift up Jesus as we plow the way for the Word of God. This allows Him to pour into us what we need for the coming week, to make Him famous in our circle of influence.

Audio/Visual
At RIO we believe that audio/visual is very important to our ministry. We have created an atmosphere with the goal that you will be able to worship with the minimal of distractions. Our sanctuary is very comfortable and designed with State of the Art Sound and Lighting. We have two large screens for PowerPoint presentation, videos, and song lyrics. With a dedicated team behind the scences, we want you to have a wonderful experience while being a part of our services.

We also have incorporated Recording and Sound into our school of ministry. Taught by some leading professionals, we want to offer insight into the latest technology and how it can be applied in the church environment. From room acoustics to recording techniques, we believe that we have so much to offer those who have been called into this ministry and want to learn!

                                                                             Oasis Store
The Oasis store serves to provide quality products that will enrich the lives of those that attend RIO. From message CDs to mission DVDs, all items are available for purchase at the Oasis in the foyer at RIO Central.

Little River Learning Center
Little River provides daily quality child care in a fun and educational environment for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. From infant care to pre-school education, we offer a safe, Christian-based setting for your children to learn and grow. Our campuses are located at RIO Central and RIO 180. For more info about Little River, contact 865-379-2812.

                                                 Mimes for the Master – adult and children
We want to celebrate the Lord in all forms, and mimes offer a great way to worship and focus on Him. Our children’s mime group performs in multiple locations, including nursing homes, community events, etc. Our adult ladies mime group is active in our Encounters and Re-Encounters.

Counseling
Whether you are looking for pre-marital counseling or need help with any area in your life, RIO provides Biblical-based counseling that will help you see how the Lord wants to work in your life.

Lighthouse Ministry
Lighthouse provides food and clothing for those in need in Blount County.
Through this ministry, RIO Central provides physical assistance in order to earn
the right to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Nursing Home Ministry
Our dedicated group of volunteers regularly visit in local nursing homes,
sharing love, compassion, and a kind word. This group specifically targets
those men and women who do not have family and who do not have regular visits,
letting them know that they are not forgotten and that we at RIO care about
them.

Homeless Ministry
From providing toboggans and gloves to ministering at the local shelter, our
homeless ministry works to reach those that most of society chooses to ignore.
Volunteers minister in the shelter two times each month, reaching over two
hundred people each time.