A church for River Oaks.
Rooted in history, committed to our neighbors, and actively loving our community.
Our Story
River Oaks United Methodist Church has stood at 4800 Ohio Garden Road for nearly 90 years. We were planted here to be a spiritual home for families moving into the growing River Oaks neighborhood.
Over the decades, our neighborhood has changed, and so have we. But our core identity has remained the same: we are a neighborhood church. We believe the church isn't just a building you visit on Sunday; it's a people organized to love and serve the specific community they are placed in.
Today, that means offering bilingual worship. It means feeding families through our pantry, teaching English, and helping seniors navigate digital forms. We are proud of our history, but we are even more excited about how God is using us today.
Our Mission
"Offering Christ to anyone through love, acceptance, inclusivity, and unity."
Meet Our Pastor
Pastor Samuel "Sam" Macías
Lead Pastor
Pastor Samuel "Sam" Macías has served in pastoral ministry since 2001 and is the Lead Pastor of River Oaks United Methodist Church.
Originally from Mexico, Pastor Sam has had the privilege of serving churches in both Mexico and the United States for more than two decades. His passion is simple: helping people know Jesus, grow in their faith, and discover the joy of living for Christ.
Together with his wife, Saby, and their three daughters, he has experienced God's faithfulness through many seasons of life. Those experiences have shaped his heart for ministry and deepened his desire to walk alongside people with compassion, hope, and grace.
Pastor Sam loves bringing people of different cultures and generations together. He believes God's Kingdom is beautifully reflected when we worship, serve, and grow as one family in Christ.
His greatest joy is seeing lives transformed by the Gospel and watching people become more like Jesus each day.
A Word from the Pastor
Welcome to River Oaks United Methodist Church!
Whether you're searching for a church home, exploring faith for the first time, or simply looking for hope, I'm grateful you found us.
At River Oaks, we believe that following Jesus changes lives. Our desire is to be a church where people encounter God's love, grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and discover ways to serve others.
One of the things that makes our church unique is that we worship together in both English and Spanish. We believe God's family is beautifully diverse, and everyone should feel welcomed, valued, and at home.
My prayer is that whenever you visit River Oaks, you'll experience more than a Sunday service. I hope you'll find a church family that encourages you, prays with you, walks beside you, and points you to Jesus.
No matter where you've been or what season of life you're in, there is a place for you here.
I look forward to meeting you personally.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Samuel "Sam" Macías Lead Pastor
Our United Methodist Identity
As United Methodists, we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.
As a United Methodist congregation, we share a rich heritage of emphasizing both personal faith and social action. We believe that loving God must always result in loving our neighbor.
Open Hearts
We seek to love others as Christ loves us—unconditionally and without reservation.
Open Minds
We welcome thoughtful questions and recognize that we don't have all the answers.
Open Doors
No matter your background, race, history, or struggles, there is a place for you here.
Becoming a Member
Membership isn't about paying dues or passing a test. It's a commitment to walk alongside this specific family of believers, supporting each other and serving our neighborhood together.
Visit Worship
Come to a Sunday service and get a feel for our community.
Meet the Pastor
Have a brief, casual conversation after service.
Participate
Join a small group, serve in the pantry, or volunteer on Sundays.
Join
Take membership vows during a Sunday service, officially calling this your church home.