More than 25 years ago, prominent Austin, TX, developer Gary Bradley donated 60 acres of land to assist Dr. Gerald Mann in expanding his small church. The gift marked the start of Riverbend Church’s rise to its place as a major congregation in the area. With Gary Bradley’s permission, Dr. Mann went on to expand the Austin, TX, church by selling the land and using the proceeds to purchase another site down the road. The church would go on to attract thousands of members and become a megachurch with a message available to millions through its television broadcasts.
Although Dr. Mann died late in 2015, Riverbend Church continues as a major force in the community. Its invitation to prospective congregants to come just as they are echoes Dr. Mann’s focus on accessibility to today’s people seeking a closer relationship with God. The church extends its outreach efforts in particular to people who feel battered and broken by the stresses of life. Its leadership strives to ensure that its values of diversity and inclusion translate into an atmosphere in which everyone can feel welcome.
Recent events at Riverbend Church include a school supply drive to help underserved children, a global leadership summit, and a congregational trip to the Holy Land.
