"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." James 7:38 KJV
ROLWC History
"ROLWC is a place where you can meet Jesus, and everyone is welcome."
The River of Life worship center was founded by Pastor Dupre Anderson on February 10th, 2020. Just as Pastor Anderson was about to formally start the church the world was hit with COVID-19 pandemic delaying the process for almost two years. This did not stop the vision God gave to Pastor Anderson, so he started having virtual Bible studies in his home. He would teach and expound on the word of God as if he were preaching to a church full of people. After two years of not being able to formally form a change and the pandemic ending, pastor Anderson was able to officially form the church. Pastor Anderson called several family members and friends and asked them if they would join him in forming the church. They all agree gladly and on June 12th, 2022, the River of Life Worship Center held its launch service. Many people came from different churches and states to help celebrate the opening of the church. The founding members or pillars of the church as Pastor would call them are Brother Keion Jackson -Anderson (Pastor’s Son), Shepard Mother Mattie Anderson (Pastor’s Grandmother), Missionary Lisa Anderson (Pastor’s Mother), Missionary Shari Boyle, Brother Corie, Brother Mike, and Minister Demetrius Jackson. Since the church's formation, the church has grown both physically and spiritually. The River of Life Worship Center continues to move forward under the leadership of pastor Anderson and shows to be a beacon of light in its community.
Pastor Dupre Anderson was brought up in the church from birth. He was a faithful Community Church of Christ member in Cliffwood, NJ under the pastorate of the late Bishop James H. Clark and then under Elder Clayton Carothers from 1979 - 2013. He was raised by his grandmother, Mother Mattie Anderson, whom he affectionately calls mom. Pastor Anderson received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the age of ten at his church's annual tent revival in 1989. Pastor Anderson is a well-educated man. He has an Associate's Degree in Liberal Studies from Brookdale Community College, a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from The College of New Jersey, formally known as Trenton State, a Master's Degree from Kean University in Education Administration, a Master's Degree in Christian Studies and Pastoral Counseling and from Liberty University, a Doctorate Degree in Education Leadership (Ed.D) from Rutgers University and a Doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D.) in Theology.
In 2001, Pastor Anderson crossed the burning sands of the North Carolina A&T Alpha Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi as the DUECE of his line, taking on the name J.A.P.A.N.2
Pastor Anderson is not just a man of God but a caring son, nurturing uncle, awesome nephew, and dedicated father. He is the Managing Director of ELH Management in Midtown NY and sits on the board of directors for the New Black Renaissance in Harlem NY.
At the age of 30, Pastor Anderson accepted the call of God into ministry. In 2013, God showed Pastor Anderson (Minister Anderson at the time) that it was time to leave his former church and grow. He joined the Community Church of Iselin where Bishop Arthur L. Jenkins Sr. is the pastor. Dupre was encouraged to further his studies in the Bible, ministry and Leadership. In 2017 Pastor Anderson was ordained an Elder through the high recommendation of his pastor, in the Lords church at the 97th International Holy Convocation of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc, which was held in Birmingham Alabama that year. Pastor Anderson served his pastor, Bishop Jenkins, for 8 years as his adjutant. In 2019 Pastor Anderson heard the voice of the Lord and with the blessing of his pastor for him to establish his own ministry (River of Life Worship Center). Pastor Anderson continues to work for the Lord and serve as the Senior Pastor of the River of Life Worship Center in Hazlet, NJ. Pastor Anderson lives by the motto "For the rest of my life, I'll serve the Lord".
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So, what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will SING WITH MY SPIRIT, but I will also SING WITH MY MIND.” - (1Corinthians 14:14,15)
"Because it gives us a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by a profession to live out, and a power to live on. There’s no place on earth where you can find all these benefits in one place."
You see, God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You could spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church but you’d never find it. Furthermore, if you joined it, it wouldn’t be perfect anymore. You are called to love imperfect people just as God loves you!