Welcome!
Rivertree Christian Chapel strives to serve God’s people who are in need of a little peace in the busy and complex cyber world. This virtual Chapel exists as a quiet place to pray, reflect, study, or find resources to help you along your journey.
Here at the Chapel, we honor the teachings of Jesus Christ. From the time of his birth, Jesus was on a mission. He announced that the spirit of the Lord was on him and that he had been anointed to (a) bring good news to the poor, (b) proclaim release to the captives, (c) give sight to the blind, (d) free the oppressed, and (e) proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:16-21). As disciples, we strive to carry out this mission over the Internet in the name of Jesus. The Chapel rests on a foundation of healing, renewal, and service.
You are welcome here, and we are so glad you stopped in.
Statement of Faith
Rivertree Christian Chapel acknowledges The Apostles’ Creed, which has stood for centuries as a general statement of doctrine in many Christian denominations.
The Apostles’ Creed
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church*,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
*The word “catholic” refers to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Great Commission
We strive to be obedient to “The Great Commission,” as stated in Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV):
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mission
The mission of Rivertree Christian Chapel is to glorify God and lift up the name of Jesus through sermons, prayer, discipleship, and education.
Vision
The vision of Rivertree Christian Chapel is to (a) establish a virtual sanctuary for prayer and reflection, (b) maintain an online presence where God’s people can seek shelter, (c) disseminate inspirational messages, and (d) promote justice in the manner that Jesus taught his disciples.
The Chapel’s ministries strive to apply principles from the Bible as the basis for living in righteousness, wholeness, empowerment, critical reflection, and restoration. In doing so, we endeavor to promote social change and carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Purposefully Peaceful
To be “purposefully peaceful” means intentionally cultivating a sense of inner calm and tranquility and approaching conflicts or challenging situations with a mindset of non-violence, empathy, and understanding. It requires actively seeking to create harmony in one’s own life and relationships, and promoting peace and positivity in the world around us through our thoughts, words, and actions. Being purposefully peaceful demands mindfulness, patience, and a steadfast commitment to resolving conflicts peacefully and constructively.
About the Chaplain
Rev. Lorrie C. Reed, M. Div., Ph.D., founded the Rivertree Christian Chapel to re-envision discipleship in the age of technology. An ordained minister, preacher/teacher, mentor, systemic change specialist, researcher, and author, her professional experiences include service as a secondary school teacher, educational administrator, university professor, pastor, and chaplain. Her cumulative gifts have made room for her here at the Chapel.
Rev. Dr. Lorrie nurtures a passion for healing, wholeness, and inter-generational resilience among people going through turbulence. Her blog posts emphasize being purposefully peaceful in the face of adversity. She holds a Ph.D. in Research Methodology and master’s degrees in Educational Administration, Theological Studies, and Divinity. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and has lived in Chicago with her husband for over five decades.
Chief Technology Officer
James R. Reed III is Director of Technology and Chief Information Officer for Rivertree Christian Chapel. Jim has a unique background in computer science. He worked almost 30 years with mainframe computer systems to include analyzing business problems using system analysis, testing and developing large mainframe systems and managing information system programs in mission-critical criminal justice related applications. He was trained at some of the leading computer science programs in this country. In 2002, Jim retired from a 26-year career with the Illinois State Police, where he served in various capacities, including Bureau Chief. That same year the Agency honored Jim with the Meritorious Service Award for his work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a project consultant with the NCIC 2000 project. Jim possesses a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice with a minor in Computer Science and a master’s degree in Social Justice Professions Administration.