We exist to lead people to authentically follow Jesus.
Meet Nathan & Rachel
Our founders Nathan and Rachel are the proud parents to three children - Isaac, Jocelyn and Asher Derenski
Nathan and Rachel grew up in the Cincinnati metro. He and Rachel met in high school, today they have been married for over 16 years and have three wonderful children: Isaac, Jocelyn and Asher. They both received their respective undergraduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Nathan a Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in Operations Management and Rachel a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Nathan obtained a second Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and Rachel a Master’s of Science as a Nurse Practioner. They have served the local church as Youth Pastors and in Executive Pastor roles for over 16 years. They love Cincinnati and love serving the people in the city they call home.
In addition to planting Rhythm Church, Nathan also serves as an Executive Coach for Integrus Leadership which specializes in advancing the Gospel for greater kingdom by training and developing leaders.
It can be limiting, trying to explain yourself in only words and historical accomplishments. People have much more depth than a few paragraphs can contain. We’d much rather have conversations. Find a time to get to know us! We’d love to connect.
Being "sent" to start a new church is rooted in God’s direction and the support of the church community. In Acts 13:2-3, the church in Antioch prays, fasts, and lays hands on Paul and Barnabas, recognizing that the Holy Spirit has called them into mission. This moment shows that starting a new church is not about personal ambition, but about stepping out in faith to fulfill God’s purpose. The church doesn’t just send; it walks alongside those chosen, affirming and empowering them for the work ahead. It’s a reminder that when God calls us, He also sends us with the support and prayers of the community behind us. Nathan and Rachel were approved by ARC (the Association of Related Churches) and then sent out by the elders of Radiant Church to start Rhythm Church in Cincinnati, OH. Click the link below to learn more about the Association of Related Churches.
Sent
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We place Jesus as first priority, the real hero and the focus of all we do and say. It is not about us. We know our lives are His. His authority, not our ambition; His glory, not our reputation; His reward; not our comfort . We worship passionately, sacrifice willingly, love unconditionally, and invite unashamedly.
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We aim to be a people of defiant joy who live and respond from the deep joy we find in Jesus. We resist bitterness, criticism, and despair.
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We know every person is on a lifelong journey to know Jesus, follow Jesus and become like Jesus. We never arrive. We are radically committed to being transformed and constantly growing. We understand transformation is a process which requires grace and compassion for both ourselves and others.
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We work hard and rest well. We believe both work and rest are God’s ideas so we value both. We work hard because we know He is worth it. We know that Sabbath is resistance and recreation is restorative. It is not in our own strength, power, skills, or best efforts but only through His empowerment. We follow through and go the extra mile. We are committed to living at the speed of love.
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People are our priority. We practice the love of Christ in the context of authentic relationships and hospitality rather than by ourselves. We reach towards those who are far from God and believe the invitation starts now. We believe anyone can change and relationships are a necessary component of spiritual formation. Because we know relationships can be messy we pre-commit to working through conflict, forgiving one another and fighting for unity.
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We stand as one behind the vision God has given and relentlessly participate in the Great Commission. We unite under King Jesus, not our preferences. In the essentials of our faith we have unity, in non-essentials, liberty. No one person or people group knows more than God. We understand not every person will agree with everything. We embrace the tension and are okay with that. We know unity is not uniformity. We unite around the mission of Jesus while having a high degree of individual diversity. We know God creates each person uniquely and by embracing those differences we can celebrate the image of God found in the body of Christ.
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We believe we are stewards of everything and owners of nothing. We give our time, talent and treasure selflessly. We rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to instruct our yeses an no’s. Jesus models humility through His life and we aim to do the same by choosing the road of humble service. We recognize that all that we have has been given to us by God. He is our ultimate source. We enjoy being the people of God who have been given the greatest gift the world has ever known. Generosity is about everything. Therefore we love generously, serve well, assume the best of others, faithfully give of our finances, and passionately offer our lives to Him.
Values
Learn more about the values and rhythms that we embrace.
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We believe in one God who exists in three distinct equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of the universe, never changing, eternal, all-powerful, and unending in love. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7-8)
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We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, became flesh to reveal God to humanity and rescue the world from evil. He, being fully God yet fully man, is the only person to live a sinless life. He was born of a virgin and took the weight of sin and evil in the world on the cross so mankind could be free from the penalty of sin and creation would be redeemed. According to the Scriptures, He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18; John 1:1, 14; 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:15)
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We believe that the Holy Spirit was given, after Jesus ascended into heaven, to edify and empower every individual believer and the Church collectively to accomplish God’s purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit is alive and active today. (Acts 1:5, 8; Ephesians 3:16)
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We believe the entire Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. (Proverbs 30:5-6; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
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We believe that man and woman were created in the image of God in perfect fellowship with Him, but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, humankind is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort. (Genesis 1:26, Romans 3:23)
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We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is a free gift and occurs when a person repents and places their faith in Jesus as the sufficient payment for sin. (Luke 24:46-47; John 1:29; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 1:7-9; Revelation 5:9)
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We believe that every Christian is to live for Jesus and not for themselves to be examples of the love of God in the world. By devotion to the way of Jesus, obedience to the Bible, participation in a community of faith, and daily yielding to the Holy Spirit, every believer matures and becomes conformed to the image of Christ. (Matthew 16:24; John 14:23; Galatians 5:25; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 10:23-25)
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We believe that the church is the family of God on the earth. Those who have trusted, by faith, the finished work of Christ are adopted into the family. The church is to partner with God in bringing about His purposes of hope, redemption, and grace in the world. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23)
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We believe in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of believers, the reality of heaven and hell, the final judgment, and all things being made right in the new heaven and the new earth. Only the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return. (Matthew 24:30, 36; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 21:1-2)