Coming Home

Have you ever wondered what happens to Riverside Tree students after they graduate from college? One would expect that they find a job, start their careers, find love, get married, buy a home, have children, and live purpose driven lives. But the reality is that a journey into adulthood during college is not easy and students can get lost, not realizing the moment they had started to take their eyes off their Guide.

This was true for Jorge. He had decided to drop out of college and started working at a secular job; slowly, he found himself becoming distant from God. While he still attended church, he stopped serving and even stopped keeping in touch with friends he made through Riverside Tree. But he remained in the group chatroom on WhatsApp, where he would receive an invitation every two weeks to the Saturday Zoom Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Days, then months, passed by. And then, one day, he responded. He had just gotten off work and on the bus ride home, he joined the Zoom. The students and Riverside Tree staff were elated to see his face. It was like the returning of a prodigal son. After the meeting came to an end, Jorge realized why he had gotten lost – disconnection with Jesus and his family in Christ. After that day, Jorge has not missed another gathering.

The Riverside Tree ministry was founded on Jeremiah 17:8, which says “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” While the ministry, with the help of sponsors, provides financial support and scholarships for students to attend college, the ultimate purpose is to help students develop and hold onto a Kingdom mentality and perspective as they complete their degrees and enter their future workplaces.

But even after school, Riverside Tree continues to follow up. Graduates are invited back to participate and join in the meetings for prayer and fellowship. Riverside Tree desires and aims to be a family and a source of encouragement to all present and former students that they will live God centered life to glorify Him who loves them unconditionally. And we want to express our gratitude for your faithful partnership in this endeavor.