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River University (R.U.)

River University began as River Bible Institute in 1997 with the heartfelt desire to train up ministers with character and integrity. Since then, we’ve seen over 7,898 domestic (4,911) and international (2,987) graduates. We are raising up a new breed of revivalists for the 21st century, and there’s no stopping what the Hand of the Lord is doing in and through the River University!
Our mission is 3-fold: River University is a place where the Word of God and the Holy Spirit come together to produce life, birth ministries, and launch graduates into their respective areas of ministry and government. R.U. is not limited to full-time ministers but is for all of God’s people who are hungry for more.
We desire to produce men and women of God who are Holy Ghost firebrands and soul-winners, knowledgeable in the Word of God, strong in faith principles, compassionate to the needs of others, and bold as lions. R.U. is designed to train students to be Holy Ghost “Green Berets” with the ability to be dropped off in a desert place and causing an oasis to spring up.
With this in mind, R.U. offers several distinct programs of study. Among these are the River Bible Institute (& River Bible Institute en Español), River School of Worship, and River School of Government.
R.U. currently has more than 476 registered students from 18 countries and 41 states.
In the words of President Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, “Just like there is a launching pad on the East Coast of Florida at the Kennedy Space Center, we believe River University will be a launching pad for ministers to be sent out and help meet the needs of people around the world.”

Programs of Study

Each dynamic program delivers quality, Spirit-filled Biblical instruction, hands-on academic training, and practical education. Students are provided with many opportunities to put classroom instruction into practice ensuring they learn and live out the Word of God in their daily lives.
We are equipping men and women to be victorious in every area of life including their finances. R.U. is valued at $18,700.00 per year and every student receives a scholarship, eliminating the burden of debt and high tuition costs.
R.U. offers both two- and three-year degree programs with 24 courses each in the first and second year. There are 160 in-class hours plus 120 hours of lab requirements per quarter, for a total of 240 calculated hours of ministry training per quarter. Time spent in preparation is never time wasted! Course completion and degrees are outlined as follows:
o Year One (9-Month 24 Course Program): Certificate of Completion
o Year Two (9-Month 24 Course Program): Associate’s Degree
o Year Three (12-Month Internship Program): Bachelor of Ministry
In addition, students may have opportunities to travel on the road, gaining invaluable ministry experience. Around R.M.I., anything can happen and probably will!
o River Bible Institute (R.B.I.) & River Bible Institute Español (R.B.I.E.) – Year One: 9 Month Program
Let those who are thirsty and hungry come! This program is designed for those who desire an in-depth study of the Bible and how to apply it to their daily lives. This includes but is not limited to the full-time minister, new converts, and individuals hungry for greater intimacy with God. R.B.I. lays the exciting foundation toward further structured theological study.
Example Study Courses: 12 Pillars of Faith, Old & New Testament Survey, Church History, Christian Lifestyle, Faith I, and many more!
*Students enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive a One-Year Certificate of Completion.
o River Bible Institute (R.B.I.) & River Bible Institute Español (R.B.I.E.) – Year Two: 9 Month Program
This program is solid training ground for students called into the Five-Fold Ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Students train for ministry, pursue an intense study of the Bible, enhance their present skills and talents, and gain deeper understanding of how to flow in the anointing.
Students also learn how to relate and communicate with others through Biblical guidance, and obtain invaluable instruction on Faith, the Holy Spirit, ministry, and other theological areas.
Example Study Courses: The Book of Acts, Faith II, Eschatology, The Minister’s Family, Leadership, and many more
*Students enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive an associate degree.
o River Bible Institute (R.B.I.) – Year Three: 12 Month Internship Program
During the third year, R.U. students from their respective programs of study intern full-time with Revival Ministries International gaining hands-on experience of the revivalist’s role. Interns are placed under the tutelage of The River at Tampa Bay church pastoral team to obtain working knowledge of effective daily operations in a church and ministry setting.
Interns are rotated to different departments throughout the course of their training to expand their ministry knowledge, skills, and abilities. Each 3-month quarter, they are evaluated by their respective Department Managers on their work ethic, productivity, and all program requirements as outlined in The River University Intern Handbook.
*Interns enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive a Bachelor of Ministry degree.
o The River School of Worship (R.S.W.) – Year One
Worship is a lifestyle and R.S.W. is raising up a new breed of worship leaders, musicians, and worshippers to infiltrate our culture and the world with the Presence of God.
It combines the foundational instruction of R.B.I.’s year one program with worship training, giving students a well-rounded, on fire, Holy Ghost experience.
Example Study Courses: Music Theory, Songwriting I & II, Recording & Production, Submission & Authority, Worship Leading, and many more!
*Students enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive a One-Year Certificate of Completion.
o The River School of Worship (R.S.W.) – Year Two
This intensive music and ministry training program is for students who sense a call into full-time music/worship ministry. Excellence in musical gifting is developed alongside flowing in the anointing of God.
Students train for positions as worship leader/pastor, advancing their skills and acquiring others needed to minister effectively in those vocations.
Example Study Courses: Music Administration & Copyrights, The Worship Pastor, The Ministry of the Evangelist, Ministerial Excellence, and many more!
Revival always has a song and over the years, students have written, recorded, and produced songs out of the Word and the anointing! In addition, students have the opportunity to serve in various roles throughout the Worship Department during Sunday Main Events, River Kids, The Stand, annual R.M.I. conferences, R.U. Revival Week, weekly chapel services, and special events!
*Students enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive an associate degree.
o The River School of Government (R.S.G.) – Year One & Year Two
R.S.G. was founded in 2012 as a result of the corruption we see in the current government system, and the need to raise up godly individuals with personal and public integrity to take up positions of leadership in our nation for the 21st century.
R.S.G. trains student to be full of the Holy Ghost, govern according to solid godly principles, and faithfully defend the individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by both the Constitution and God’s Word.
R.S.G. is non-partisan and our goal is not to produce career politicians, who will abuse their position for personal gain or for personal power, but to inspire tomorrow’s leaders to honor and stand up for the integrity of both the Constitution and God’s Word and bring America back to her founding principles.
R.S.G. is for those who feel called to run for office and/or those driven to see change positive change in the political realm.
Typical Courses: The Constitution, Killing of Uncle Sam by Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne & Paul L. Williams, Religion & Foreign Policy, Political Leadership, and more!
*Students enrolled in this program who successfully complete all required courses and lab work will receive a One-Year Certificate of Completion, and an associate degree.
Beyond the Classroom: From Head Knowledge to Heart Revelation & Practice
At River University, instruction and learning extend far beyond the classrooms. We are raising up men and women of God to be fully trained in all areas of ministry. In doing so, students are given many exciting opportunities for practical application.

Ministry of Helps Practicum (M.O.H.)

Having Enough Loving People Serving is vital to the work of the ministry. This is a hands-on course taught in relation to students helping fulfill the vision of their local church setting through faithfulness, humility, and having the heart of a servant.
Students learn how to become effective ministers of helps, bloom where God plants them, and develop a spirit of excellence by serving God’s leaders and the body of Christ. This is the training ground for learning to flow in the anointing.
Students are rotated to different Ministries of Helps throughout the course of their training to expand their ministry knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Ministry Service Practicum (M.S.P.)

The M.S.P. is all about serving and learning behind the scenes of the ministry. This practicum takes place during R.M.I. business office hours and assists students in focusing their educational and spiritual goals while pursuing a degree at R.U. Students serve within various ministry departments, receiving a well-rounded education while discovering how the daily operation of a successful ministry flows and functions.

Public Service Practicum (The River School of Government)

Designed for The River School of Government, the Public Service Practicum is a Junior Internship where students are mobilized. This includes attendance at local political and government functions to gain experience in the practical side of public service and political activity.
Students also lead email and phone campaigns, attending legislative sessions, and guide River Church member participation at local and state meetings and assemblies on issues in defense of God-given rights.

Soul-winning Lab

He who wins souls is wise and R.U. students are trained to win the lost at any cost! Students actively participate in a minimum of one soul-winning lab per week, in addition to monthly River University Super Outreach Saturdays (S.O.S.).
Students and interns are given quarterly soul goals to meet and work together to witness the gathering of the end-time harvest of souls. Through a host of student and intern-led crusades, local college, high school, and community outreaches; and one-on-one evangelism, many souls have come to Christ. During the August 2020 – May 2021 school year alone, students saw 232,184 decisions for Jesus Christ!

Call Center Lab

The Call Center serves as a 24/7 point of contact to the anointing and the river of joy that flows from R.M.I. Students are trained to have passion for prayer, transfer the anointing over the phone, and encompass the professional ability to provide useful resources and support for all incoming and outgoing calls.
Each week, over 1,000 calls are received at the R.M.I. Call Center with numerous testimonies of salvations, healings and miracles, deliverance, baptisms in the Holy Spirit and Fire, and supernatural provision.
In addition to our President, Vice President, and instructors, our students are blessed to
participate in sessions facilitated by international ministers, world leaders and
dignitaries, and government officials.
*River University is fully accredited by Transworld Accrediting Commission International.
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