Membership Gathering
September 7 // 5:00PM – 6:00PM
The Membership Gathering event is designed to intentionally care for and connect with our members through worship, fellowship, vision casting, and teaching. This event allows us to welcome new members, communicate church direction, and help our growing church feel and function like a true family.
Baptism Night
August 17 // 5:00PM – Food Trucks // 6:30PM – Worship & Baptism
Join us Sunday, August 17th at 5:00PM for an outdoor night of acoustic worship & baptism. This is a family-friendly event! We will have food trucks here so come early and grab a bite to eat (*food for purchase).
Please bring your own chairs.
If you’re interested in being baptized, please complete our baptism form! This allows us to get to know you and your spiritual journey.
We’re collecting backpacks & supplies to help students and teachers start strong and stay strong all year long! Your donation will have a direct impact on the lives of students at Oscar Smith High School, especially those who face extra challenges.
What We Need for Students:
School Supplies:
• Black book bags
• 1.5-inch binders
• Blue & black pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Index cards
• Post-it notes
• Water bottles
• Hand sanitizer (travel-size welcome!)
Snacks:
• Fruit snacks, granola bars, peanut butter crackers
• (No Pop-Tarts, please)
Hygiene Items:
• Deodorant (male & female)
• Fragrance-free lotion
• Hair ties
What We Need for Teachers:
Teacher Appreciation Items:
We are also collecting small gifts to show love and support to our incredible teachers and staff.
• $5 Gift cards to Starbucks
• Notebooks or pens
• Snacks or self-care items
Drop-Off Location: Main Lobby, Missions Table
Collection Dates: Every Sunday beginning Sunday, August 3, 2025 – Sunday, August 24, 2025.
Contact: Jen Kennedy, 757-672-0448 or email at
Let’s show these students and teachers they’re seen, valued, and supported—every step of the way!
River Oak, are you looking for a ministry that reaches all impacted by incarceration, through the love, hope, and faith found in Jesus Christ?
Kairos Prison Ministry may be a great fit for you!
The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.
If you have questions about Kairos, please contact Paul Fletcher at or 504-782-3135
Next Tidewater Kairos 4-Day Weekend: K87
Dates: October 2-5, 2025
Location: Greensville Correctional Center, S1, 901 Corrections Way, Jarratt, VA
To Volunteer: Contact Paul Fletcher,
Team Formation Meetings on Saturdays 8AM – 3PM:
August 23, 2025 – River Oak Church
September 6, 2025 – Kings Grant Presbyterian Church
September 20, 2025 – Kings Grant Prebyterian Church
River Oak Church
255 Great Bridge Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Kings Grant Presbyterian Church
745 Little Neck Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Preparation/Final Coordination Meeting:
October 1, 2025 – Lebanon United Methodist Church
Lebanon United Methodist Church
10053 Lebanon Church Rd
Emporia, VA 23847
Lodging:
October 1-5, 2025 – Baymont by Wyndham Emporia (previously Days Inn)
921 W. Atlantic St
Emporia, VA 23847
Please pray for the Kairos Prison Ministry, the residents and staff at Greensville Correctional Center, our Tidewater Kairos volunteers, and our K87 events.
The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood supply shortage in over a decade.
Please visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: ROAK to schedule an appointment.
All blood donations are now tested for COVID-19 antibodies.
Monday
6:30PM | Great Bridge | Beginning June 16th
*This group is for women ages 18-25*
Jennifer Steinwand |
Lauren Knighten |
Tuesday
8:45AM | Town Center Panera, VA Beach | Beginning June 24th
Tracy LoAlbo |
9:30AM | Deep Creek | Beginning June 10th
Cecilia Dilday |
Debbie Curling |
4:00PM | Great Bridge/Hickory | Beginning June 10th
Ginger Cooper |
Tara Reed |
Amberly Halvorsen |
Catherine Neal |
8:30PM | ZOOM | Beginning June 17th
Katie Martin |
Wednesday
9:30AM | Off Jolliff Rd. | Beginning July 9th
Caitlyn Nobbs |
Donna Cunningham |
9:30AM | Virginia Beach 23464 | Beginning June 24th
Lauren Kenyon |
Presley Cantu |
6:00PM | Off Bells Mill Rd, Chesapeake | Beginning June 18th
Gretchen Smith |
Thursday
1:00PM | Greenbrier | Beginning June 19th
Cheri Petraitis |
6:30PM | Panera – 1397 Fordham Dr, Virginia Beach | Beginning June 12th
Ashleigh Hussar |
Tina Gonzales |
Friday
8:30AM | Hickory Trading Company and the Hitching Post | Beginning June 13th
Lesia Van Syckle |
Saturday
Morning | ZOOM | Beginning June 21st
Katie Martin |
Interested in joining us October 8 – 12, 2025 as we travel to Belize for a medical mission trip?
We will have an interest meeting on Sunday, July 27 at 10:45 in room 121D.
Trip applications are due Monday, August 4th.
All are welcome to serve on this trip, not just medical professionals!
For more information about this trip or the ministry we partner with please visit the All 4 Jesus Belize website below or contact Summer Michaelson at
Already know you would like to GO? Apply below
WELCOME: River Oak Church is hosting its 2nd Annual Tidewater Men’s Bible Conference. Join us for a time of food, fellowship, worship and learning the Word of God. This is a time for men to engage in a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus or first learn about Jesus. River Oak Church invites all men to this conference.
ADMISSION: Cost is $20.00 per registrant that includes breakfast. Please bring your confirmation email with you to the event. Please note that all ticket sales are FINAL, NO REFUNDS.
We look forward to seeing you at Tidewater Men’s Bible Conference
We invite all 55+ senior adults for a time of fellowship. This will be an opportunity to connect with other people in your stage of life.
The SALT Ministry at River Oak is excited to announce a trip to Lancaster, PA and Washington DC to see “Noah” at the Sight and Sound theater, and “The Museum of the Bible” with a tour of DC!
Who: Members and attenders of River Oak ages 55 and above
Trip Dates: Wednesday, October 8th-Monday, October 13th
Cost per person: $1025 (double), $1375 (single), $1000 (triple)
Details: This 6 day, 5 night trip includes roundtrip Amtrak transportation from Norfolk to DC. A motorcoach will pick you up in DC and drive to Lancaster where you will visit for two days, then on to DC for three days before returning home.
*We still have room for additional folks! Register and pay your deposit of $150/each with remaining balance due not later than August 1, 2025*
This trip includes:
Day 1: Depart Norfolk AMTRAK station early in the morning. After arriving at Union Station in Washington, DC, board your spacious, restroom and video-equipped Motorcoach and set off for Lancaster, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Later that day, enjoy a relaxing Dinner and check into your Pennsylvania-area hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2: Today, after enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you will go on a GUIDED TOUR OF LANCASTER, including Amish Country. Next, you’ll visit the KITCHEN KETTLE VILLAGE – a charming marketplace of shops and restaurants. Then, Sight & Sound Theatres invites you to experience the show “NOAH.” With a catastrophic storm on its way, Noah is given a monumental task: build a boat big enough to save his family from a flood that will cover the entire earth! As Noah endeavors to live faithfully amid an incredibly chaotic world, can he trust that God’s promises run deeper than the rising waters around him? Returning for one season only, this landmark production takes you on one of the world’s best-known voyages as live animals fill the stage and aisles. Set sail inside the enormous ark as this extraordinary story comes to life in this special 30th anniversary season! Tonight, enjoy Dinner and head back to your hotel.
Day 3: Today, after enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you will visit the MENNONITE LIFE VISITORS CENTER, where you will learn more about the unique way of life of the Amish and Mennonites. You will see a short film and experience biblical history come alive during a guided lecture tour of the Center’s full-sized Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction. Next, you will enjoy lunch on your own, then head to your next destination: Washington, D.C., our National Capital! Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing Dinner and check into your Washington, D.C. area hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 4: Enjoy a Continental Breakfast before departing for a full-day GUIDED TOUR of WASHINGTON, D.C. Some of the awe-inspiring sights on this fantastic tour will include the US Capitol, the White House, the National Archives, Embassy Row, and Georgetown. During the day, you will see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, and several War Memorials. Enjoy Dinner at a local restaurant this evening before continuing on the GUIDED MEMORIAL and MONUMENTS TOUR.
Day 5: After a Continental Breakfast, you will enjoy a visit to the MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE. Discover the Bible’s history, narrative, and impact on our world’s history. From the 40-foot-tall bronze doors at the museum’s entrance to the roof-top garden, explore over six floors of exhibits that span the time, space, and cultures of the Bible. With over 40,000 items, the Museum of the Bible’s collection contains some of human history’s oldest and most important biblical artifacts and documents. Later, you’ll enjoy Dinner before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: After enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you’ll depart Washington, DC via Amtrak around Noon for home. It’s a perfect time to chat with your friends about all the fun things you’ve done, the great shows you’ve seen, and where your next group trip will take you!
