The roots of River of Life began in 1983 with Reverend Robert Shutes here in Cloquet. He dedicated his time to teach home Bible Studies explaining the simple truths contained in the Bible. Our present pastor came to know the Lord through Rev. Shutes at that time and has stayed with this church family ever since.

Soon there were several families involved with these studies and we began meeting for worship and teaching in the Shutes family home. It was not long until we outgrew their home and we purchased a storefront on Arch Street and held services there. (Present site of Muckala Accounting) A few years later St. Kashmir’s Catholic Church (Our present building) was offered for sale and we purchased this beautiful building.

In 1999 John Napoli, the Associate Pastor at the time, was elected to the Pastor position when Pastor Robert Shutes relocated to the Twin Cities. John had served for years as the church youth leader and Associate Pastor and had been ordained in 1998. Pastor John Napoli continues in this position.

We are a body that believes the Bible is the Inspired Word of God and we place our faith and trust in the truths the Bible holds. We also believe that Jesus Christ is the “Word made flesh” and He is our Messiah and believes what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We believe we are saved by Grace, by the atoning blood shed on Calvary for you and I. We strive to teach and hold to what is commanded and taught in the New Testament, which leads to the life our Father intends for us in the relationship we have with Him, and each other.

There is Religion and there is a relationship.  Religion does not always lead to a relationship with our Lord Jesus, our Savior. If you are looking to be part of a “religion” and not wishing a closer walk and relationship with our Lord, this fellowship may not be for you.  BUT, if you are looking to surround yourself by a group of imperfect people sincerely seeking to have a closer walk with our Lord and work together as a “Body” to take care of each other and share the Gospel, then you will feel at Home in this assembly.

Pastor John Napoli

Beginning as a small congregation, we were blessed by knowing that when any project or need presented itself, it took all of us to get involved.  To not make the time and dedicate our energy was really not an option when there are so few to do the work.  As we have grown, we have asked God to ensure we never lose the feeling that it takes everybody to get involved, to take the body completely, and accomplish the will of God.

Shortly after moving into our present building, “You are Welcome Here” was written to commit in writing how we feel regarding our embrace to all who wish to get involved with the work of the Lord and the family here at River of Life Church.

Past history of the present home of River of Life – St. Kashmir’s 

(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i[‘GoogleAnalyticsObject’]=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,’script’,’//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js’,’ga’);

ga(‘create’, ‘UA-48757507-1’, ‘rolcloquet.com’);
ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’);