College
Grow in Gospel Community
We are a welcoming community of college students growing together in Christlikeness and reaching all peoples with the gospel.
If you are a college student in Columbia, we’d love to connect with you!
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Sundays
Worship | 9:30 AM
College Gathering | 11:00 AM | The Attic
We gather on Sundays at 11:00 for a relaxed time of connection, worship, and teaching specific to college students. A light breakfast is provided with plenty of opportunities to meet other college students and build gospel community. This serves as our primary large group gathering, with life groups being our point of small group connection.
Life Groups
Life groups are small group communities that meet during the week throughout Columbia, either on or close to college campuses. If you’re interested in joining a LifeGroup, fill out our Interest Form!
Ladies Group – Mondays @ 7:00 PM, Led by Maggie Rosier & Christi Madeline
Ladies Group – Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM, Led by Hannah Smith & Mia Brown
Ladies Group – Thursdays @ 7:00 PM, Led by Larkin Taffoni, Lauren Kennedy, & Megan Platt
Guys Group – Wednesdays @ 7:30 PM, Led by Brian Epting & Evan Blackmon
Guys Group – Mondays @ 7:00 PM, Led by Caleb Krupczyk & Robbie Bauer
Sending
We believe that the Bible calls every believer to the work of the Great Commission – making disciples of all nations. That’s why we’ve got numerous opportunities for you to be sent by Riverland Hills at home and around the world. You can learn more about trips and express interest in one below.
Spring 2026
Madrid | Mar. 7-14, 2026
London | Mar. 7-14, 2026
Boston | Apr. 2-5, 2026
Summer 2026
Boston | 8 Weeks, Dates TBA
Madrid | 7 Weeks, Dates TBA
North Africa | 2 Weeks, Dates TBA
Serve
It takes a team of committed people to reach campuses in Columbia with the gospel. From weekly gathering set-up, life group leadership, to mentoring – there are a number of ways to serve with RH College, and we’d love to have a conversation with you about them. You can fill out the form below and someone will reach out to you to follow up.
FAQ

Our main student nights are Sunday nights throughout the school year (6-8 PM), Wednesday nights throughout the Summer (6-8 PM), and every Sunday morning throughout the year.
Weekly Events:
- Sunday AM
- The Gathering
- Grow Groups
Fall Retreats
Every October we take our middle and high school students on separate weekend trips to Look Up Lodge or Camp McCall. Students have countless opportunities for outdoor camp fun in the cool mountain air! Each retreat includes a weekend theme with gospel-centered Bible teaching sessions and sharing time around the fire. Fall Retreat is a slower pace than our other student retreats, and leader spots are far more limited.
DNOW (Spring – Early March)
We kick off spring with our “Disciple Now” weekend that you don’t want to miss! Students join us at the church for a weekend of intensive discipleship that includes preaching from a guest speaker with a yearly theme, worship, off-campus fun, group competitions, meals, and sermon discussions led by our discipleship leaders! We have about 30 college and young adult leaders who disciple students and lead a group. Students stay overnight in host homes with their grade and gender-specific small group.
Beach Blast (Summer – Mid July)
Beach Blast is hands down the highlight of our year! We pack up our entire church and plant it right next to the Beach at Garden City Retreat Center. Our pastors, worship team, adult leaders, and discipleship leaders all join us for an incredible week of focusing on what matters most: our relationship with Jesus! Our sermons and small group discussions all center around our yearly theme. Our “talk times” give leaders and students time to process the truth they have heard, ask questions, and apply God’s Word to real life through real conversation. We spend time sharing stories of how God is at work and praying for one another. There are countless options for fun during free time between the beach, the pool, the pier, the arcade, ice-cream shops, volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and off-campus activities like go-karts, the waterpark, and Broadway at the Beach!
Summer Mission Teams
Our mission teams are led by our Missions Pastor and Student Pastor. These teams are reserved for students who profess faith in Jesus and desire to sacrificially serve others to advance Jesus’ mission. We work with long-term mission partners locally, domestically, and internationally. We have mission opportunities for Middle and High School students. Applications are required for all mission teams.
Our primary meeting space is The Attic upstairs (up the stairs closest to Entrance E).
Students and leaders meet in the Attic at 9:30 on Sundays. We start by hanging out and eating donuts together before students are dismissed to their grade-specific Sunday AM classes on the student hall. When classes are dismissed at 10:30, students head back downstairs to the Atrium before our 11:00 service begins. Parents and students should coordinate where they would like to meet, whether it’s upstairs in the Attic or downstairs in the Atrium. Most of our students attend the 11:00 modern service (in Worship Center East) and they sit together in the front middle section near the stage!
We do not offer student classes at the 11:00 hour, so families should plan accordingly. If a parent(s) would like to attend an 11:00 Life Group alone, their student is welcome to join the rest of our student ministry in our 11:00 Modern Service. Students attending the 11:00 hour alone should swing by the welcome desk before the service so we can make sure they get connected with our group and have somebody to sit with!
Chad Burnett serves as our Student Pastor and has oversight of the Middle School & High School ministry while primarily focusing on High School ministry. Aaron White is our Middle School Minister and Tori Franklin is our Girls’ Associate. Angela Daniel is the Student Ministry Admin who helps with everything related to Student Ministry!
Connect
Stay connected and informed with what’s happening in the College Ministry.

Get Reminders
Join our GroupMe to get details and updates. This is the main way we communicate, so make sure you’re in so you don’t miss anything!
Follow us
Got Questions?
Contact the Church Office for additional information about the Student Ministry and how you can connect.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-5:30
Events

CrossCon26
Dec. 31, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026 | Louisville, KY
CrossCon is a conference focused on spiritual growth for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples.
The conference includes worship, focused preaching and teaching sessions, and breakouts that serve to equip college students for Christian living and mission.
Registration begins this fall – check back for more information then!
Cost: $80
Beach Blast 2025
Beach Blast is our Summer retreat in Garden City, SC for 6th-12th grade students. Students will travel to Garden City Retreat Center (Myrtle Beach) to build friendships, relax on the beach, and grow spiritually. At Beach Blast, you will have the opportunity to participate in small group Bible studies led by college students/young adults and large group sessions led by the praise band and youth staff. Plus, with fun activities like going to Broadway at the Beach and other group activities, you can be assured you will never be bored! Make sure to sign up for Beach Blast before spots fill up!

Middle School (6th – 8th grade completed 2025) | July 6-9
Cost $230 (includes activity fee)
The cost increases $100 on May 22nd.
High School (9th – 12th grade completed 2025) | July 9-13
Cost $300
The cost increases $100 on May 22nd.

Please contact Angela if you’re registering more than 2 children.
Registration closes June 4th. Late registrations, after June 4th, will need to be completed in the Church Office.
Beach Blast 2025
Middle School (6th – 8th grade completed 2025) | July 6-9
High School (9th – 12th grade completed 2025) | July 9-13
Beach Blast is our Summer retreat in Garden City, SC for 6th-12th grade students.
**Updated Registration Process
Beach Blast 2025 is a two-part registration process. Student registration is complete and your spot is reserved once you have uploaded the registration with required forms and your payment has been made. Spaces are limited and are filled based on the order we receive complete registrations.
Step 1: Submit online registration with uploaded medical and Beach Blast Guidelines form, and front & back copy of insurance card.
Step 2: Once all forms are submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with online payment instructions.
Any registrations completed after May 26th will need to be paid in person at the Church Office via cash or check.
If you’re registering 3 or more children please contact angela@riverlandhills.org prior to registering.
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College Ministry Staff

Christina Thompson
DISCIPLESHIP / COLLEGE & YOUNG ADULTS ADMIN. ASSISTANT