River Youth
Student Ministry of the River at Tampa Bay Church (Ages 13-19). Join us every Wednesday at River Youth at 7 PM.
We are focused on raising up a radical generation of leaders who are not ashamed of the gospel and impacting this world for Jesus. Come ready to encounter God & experience His presence!
Love Passionately
Grow Deeper
Encounter Truth
About River Youth
River Youth exists to raise up youth and young adults who are fully committed to Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
We support and execute the vision of The River at Tampa Bay Church by raising a new breed of revivalists—bold leaders set on fire by the Holy Spirit, passionate for souls, and committed to winning the lost at any cost.
Our students adopt their campuses and communities as their mission field, establishing a Kingdom culture in every area of life.
We develop students through three core principles:
Love Passionately — Loving God, themselves, and people.
Grow Deeper — Growing in God’s Word, His love, and His power.
Encounter Truth — Experiencing the life-changing truth of God that brings freedom.
River Youth is reaching Tampa and beyond with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Meet our Youth Pastors:
Both graduates of River University, Pastors Allen & Kristin Hawes have been the youth pastors for River Youth since 2007. God has birthed a desire and a call in them to see an entire generation of young people touched and changed by the Fire of God, and to raise them up to fulfill the great commission.
Follow ps. allen on instagram Follow ps. Kristin on instagram
Project Timothy is a discipleship and leadership development initiative of The River Youth, rooted in the vision of The River at Tampa Bay Church, founded by Drs. Rodney Howard-Browne and Adonica Howard-Browne.
Built on the biblical command to make disciples, Project Timothy follows the model of the Apostle Paul and Timothy found in Acts 16:1–5. Its purpose is to raise up Spirit-led sons and daughters—not just participants—who are grounded in the Word, living lives empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14), actively winning souls, and faithfully serving within the local church. Through intentional discipleship, leadership training, soul-winning outreach, and hands-on ministry, students are equipped to discover their God-given calling, grow in character and faith, and be used by God NOW to reach their generation and make disciples for the rest of their lives.
Students in Project Timothy are placed into age-specific groups where they participate daily and weekly in discipleship curriculum, small groups, and ministry activities, learning to do life together as they grow in the Lord and become increasingly active in the River Church and the Body of Christ. As students demonstrate faithfulness, maturity, and leadership, they will also be given opportunities to serve and eventually be placed in leadership roles within River Youth under the guidance of Pastors Allen Hawes and Kristin Hawes and the River Youth leadership team.
Youth Week
Think of it as the ultimate Holy Ghost filled summer camp—powerful services to the Crucible Mud Run and epic prize giveaways, every day is packed with energy, encounters, and unforgettable memories.
