Our Story
History in Brief
From the wide, sparse plains of Texas came a Methodist cowboy-preacher on horseback. Hugh Griffin’s purpose was to share the Good News of Jesus with those immigrating to the New Mexico Territory. The year was 1879. He would make it to various points around the San Juan Basin to preach wherever he could find at least a small group of people.
Not until 1886 was there a church formed using a small adobe building on Main Street. New times and community growth brought various forms of ministry to meet new circumstances. At the corner of Behrend and La Plata a new building was started in 1911. For seven years only a basement could be afforded. The structure was completed in 1920. Eight years later, the Presbyterians and Methodists formed a federated church. Preachers were rotated every two years.
October 24, 2017 history was made when our church body voted to change the name of the church to RiverStone Church! After much prayer, sweat, tears, and with a new fire for Christ in this community, we launched RiverStone Church on January 28, 2018. God called us to be a body of Christ followers responding to the changing circumstances and dynamics of the 21st century with a fresh vision for ministry intent on making followers of Jesus. That vision calls us to Love God and others, to Follow Jesus and to Serve God and others!
Growth
Numerically + Spiritually
Exploding population growth in the San Juan Basin began in the 1950’s. With great determination, the Methodists purchased land for a new location and built a new, larger facility at the corner of Monterey and Mojave in 1958. Farmington Methodist Church had grown from 7 to 422 members. Since then, membership has gone beyond 1,500.
Serving Faithfully
Changing Times
Yes, significant growth, numerically and spiritually, has been experienced. Hundreds, quite possibly, thousands, of lives have been directly and indirectly transformed with the life-saving message of Jesus Christ and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Challenges of many kinds and magnitude were overcome, including a population and membership downturn just as the present facility was being built. Following years experienced growth and decline in membership and scope of ministry.
Today, we are a body of Christ followers responding to the changing circumstances and dynamics of the 21st century with a fresh vision for ministry intent on making disciples, followers, of Jesus. That vision calls us to Love, Follow and Serve – love God and others, follow Jesus, and serve God and others. Ours it is to faithfully live and, like that cowboy turned preacher, share the Good News of Jesus Christ to whoever will hear it.