Podcast Summary

Podcast: River Valley Church
Episode: Message | Vision Weekend - Pastor Rob Ketterling
Date: January 11, 2026
Speaker: Pastor Rob Ketterling

Main Theme & Purpose

This Vision Weekend message, delivered by Pastor Rob Ketterling, centers on River Valley Church’s vision in a tumultuous time for Minneapolis and the broader community. Pastor Rob addresses the church’s mission to be “salt and light” amidst political unrest, tragedy, and societal chaos, and outlines the church’s missional focus for 2026: “Speak, Lord, we’re listening.” He recaps last year’s ministry outcomes, sets ambitious goals for the year ahead, and calls the church to actively listen to God’s voice—emphasizing that listening produces action, not passivity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Responding to Crisis: The Role of the Church

• Current Events: Pastor Rob addresses recent turmoil in Minneapolis involving protests, violence, and unrest.
• The Church’s Response: Calls for River Valley Church to lead and be a positive influence:
  • “God, what's the bigger picture? So after a terrible, tragic situation... there's something right now that we have to do as a church. We have to lead in this moment. We have to step up.” (02:45)
  • Emphasizes the biblical call to be salt and light.
• Action Points for the Church:
  1. Presence the Kingdom of God: Carry God’s presence everywhere—“Realize, you are a citizen of heaven before you’re a citizen of this state or country.” (05:45)
  2. Proclaim the Truth of the Gospel: “Only Jesus can change hearts. It’s the only hope.” (09:15)
  3. Participate in the Political Solution: Encourages members to engage, notably on caucus night (Feb 3). “The voice of salt and light needs to be there in full force this year.” (11:48)
  4. Pray and Activate the Supernatural: Prayer is not a formality, but key to inviting God’s intervention—“Prayer activates the supernatural.” (13:35)

2. Specific Prayers and Empathy

• For Immigrants: Recognizes the fear and instability faced by immigrants (both legal and not). Offers solidarity:
  • “If you’re an immigrant, I’m embarrassed by this... As a nation, we can do better.” (16:00)
• For Law Enforcement: Prayer for safety and wisdom, rejecting divisive narratives—“River Valley loves in all directions.” (18:30)
• For Leaders: Encouragement to stand firm under pressure, invoking Old Testament references to leadership and the challenge of public service.
  • “I pray for you that you will not bow to the pressure... that you will be safe.” (21:43)

3. 2025 & Beyond—Reflections and Future Vision

• Pastor Rob recaps 2025’s spiritual theme: Forever Glory.
• 2025 Key Outcomes:
  • 544 new members, 4,678 people said yes to Jesus, 809 water baptisms.
  • 27 new missionaries approved (total: 294 toward a goal of 500).
  • Kingdom Builders giving: $12,547,330 (with context about database hacking causing a monetary shortfall; the community responded by bridging the gap).
  • Missions giving: Over $10,000,000.
  • Launches, like the Tokyo church plant.
• 2026 Theme:
  • “Speak, Lord, we’re listening” (based on 1 Samuel 3).
  • This year’s focus is on tuning the entire church to actively listen for God’s direction, which always leads to action.
  • “When the Lord speaks, it always involves action.” (43:05)

4. Goals for the Year

• Grow by at least 1,000 people.
• Baptize 1,000 individuals.
• Send 400 first-time participants on global mission teams.
• Hit $15 million in Kingdom Builders giving (“not about squeezing more, but inviting more people to participate”).
• New Initiative: Global 33 – focus on 10 strategic cities through 2033, sending 20 missionaries to each.
  • Announced first two cities: Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Tokyo, Japan.

5. Active Listening to God—Spiritual Practice and Expectation

• All campuses to implement pre-service prophetic prayer, seeking specific words from God for individuals.
• “We believe that God wants to speak in the middle of a church that's seating thousands. And he's gonna speak to an individual that wonders, do you care? Do you see me? And God's gonna show you that he cares and that he sees you.” (57:00)
• Listening is never passive:
  • “Hearing God is relational, not informational.” (59:30)
  • “Listening always means obedience.” (1:01:25)

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We’re not here to hide. We’re not here to fight. But we’re here to be the salt and light.” (03:50)
• “Only Jesus can change the hearts, right?” (09:16)
• “Prayer activates the supernatural.” (13:44)
• “River Valley loves in all directions. We love in all directions.” (18:35)
• “A detour can still get you to your destination.” (35:00)
• “Speak, Lord, we’re listening.” (43:55 and repeated throughout)
• “When the Lord speaks, it always involves action.” (43:10)
• “Hearing God is relational, not informational.” (59:30)
• “Listening always means obedience.” (1:01:25)
• “I will listen and obey.” (1:02:30; referencing a teaching moment with his grandson)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:23 | Pastor Rob opens addressing community crisis and church’s role | | 02:45 | “We have to lead in this moment. We have to step up.” | | 05:45 | On “presencing” the Kingdom: “You are a citizen of heaven...” | | 09:15 | On proclaiming the Gospel: “Only Jesus can change hearts.” | | 11:48 | Encourages church engagement on caucus night | | 13:35 | “Prayer activates the supernatural.” | | 16:00 | Empathy and prayer for immigrants | | 18:30 | “River Valley loves in all directions.” | | 21:43 | Prayers for leaders | | 25:50 | Recap of 2025: salvation, baptisms, missionaries, giving | | 43:05 | Introduction of the 2026 theme: “Speak, Lord, we’re listening” | | 57:00 | Prophetic prayer practice introduction | | 59:30 | “Hearing God is relational, not informational.” | | 1:01:25 | “Listening always means obedience.” | | 1:02:30 | Teaching moment: “I will listen and obey.” |

Tone & Atmosphere

Pastor Rob’s tone is passionate, visionary, and pastoral—balancing urgency with hope. He addresses sensitive current events with empathy and conviction, focusing on constructive, Christ-centered action. The recurring call to active listening and obedience invites the congregation into deeper spiritual engagement, while practical statistics and goals foster a sense of collective mission and measurable impact.

Summary Flow

• Crisis Response: Church called to active engagement and peacemaking amid Minneapolis unrest.
• Annual Review: Celebrating previous year’s salvations, baptisms, missions progress, giving—honest about challenges.
• Vision Casting: 2026 focus is tuning in to God’s voice; listening leads to collective and individual action.
• Goals & Strategies: Growth, new mission goals (including a strategic city focus), deeper prayer culture.
• Spiritual Challenge: Listening is only real if followed by obedience—God still speaks, and the church must be ready to act.

This episode is a rallying call for River Valley Church members and a deep encouragement for any listeners seeking practical ways to approach faith, community crises, and the ongoing pursuit of God’s voice and action.