Risley, family ‘blessed’ to be part of new Russellville church

When Aron Risley was called to become pastor of Waypoint Church last month, it was a homecoming of sorts, even though Risley’s church is newly formed.

Located at 116 Coffee Avenue in downtown Russellville, Waypoint is located in the building that previously served as Redemption Outreach Church, where Risley once was student pastor.

The church leadership at Waypoint decided to call several different temporary pastors on a rotation delivering the Sunday message, before seeing where God would lead them on calling a permanent pastor.

Waypoint Church pastor Aron Risley and his wife Amanda.

After Redemption Outreach Church closed, it remained on the hearts of many board members to find a way not to shut their doors permanently.

That led to the formation of Waypoint Church. 

Already familiar with Risley, the board asked him to preach in that rotation. To take the next step though, Waypoint needed a permanent pastor and church leadership decided after several months on Risley.

After some extended prayer, Risley and his wife Amanda were satisfied God was showing them Waypoint was the right place, along with their 15-year-old daughter Crimson and their nine-year-old daughter Faith.

There’s an abundance of excitement among Waypoint’s staff and congregation about what’s happening with their young church. Waypoint hosts Sunday morning worship at 11 a.m., and every second and fourth Wednesday of the month their prayer meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. And children’s church is offered during each Sunday morning service. 

Church leaders noticed there was an increase in attendance on Sunday mornings when Risley preached in the rotation, so that was a factor in their decision to offer him the permanent pastor position.

One week after Risley became Waypoint’s official pastor, there were approximately 70 in attendance for his Sunday message, and there’s a growing aura of optimism at Waypoint.

“We are a new church, with new leadership, new ideologies and new standards,” Risley said. “We wanted a complete fresh start and there are some great things happening here for the first time. That creates a lot of excitement to be a part of something that’s growing and being there at the beginning.”

As Risley and his wife prayed about their decision, there were several church members who, having no idea he had already been offered the position, told him they wanted him to be their permanentpastor, another sign from the Lord Waypoint was the place for his family.

The 37-year-old Risley is a Russellville native and a 2008 graduate of Russellville High School. He works at Tiffin Motor Homes in the slideout department of the Red Bay plant. 

As a loving husband and father, Risley knows the importance of family and family values, and he wants his congregation to know they’re a family as well.

“That’s the very first thing we’re doing—hammering on family values,” Risley said. “We want everyone here to know they’re in our family and we look out for each other.

“And that extends to every person who comes to Waypoint Church, whether or they’re a believer. When you come to our church, you’re receiving the Word, receiving Truth and receiving Community. Everyone is welcome no matter how you look, how you’re dressed or what’s in your past,” he added.

It will be a priority for Waypoint Church to be involved in its community, and some upcominglocal outreaches and community events will strengthen that involvement.

Waypoint Church will host a ‘Tailgate Sunday’ on Sunday, September 6th. And you’re invited! Wear your favorite team colors to the service, and bring your lawn chairs to enjoy a hot dog and ‘brown bag’ lunch in the church parking lot after the service.

“We want everyone to come. We’re just trying to get our name out there. There are a lot of folks not aware of our church yet or that we have a steady pastor,” Risley said. “With us, it’s not about filling seats or numbers. We just want to give people as much Jesus and Truth in as welcome an environment as possible.”