The name of the River of Life Christian Ministry was an inspiration, prophetically birthed in +Bishop Michael J. Springs by the Holy Ghost on September 26, 1997. During the next several years, +Bishop Springs and Pastor Evangelist L. Mary Springs faithfully served various pastors throughout Stateside and overseas in leadership positions and teaching the Word of God. In March 2002, at the leading of the Holy Ghost, +Bishop Springs submitted the Articles of incorporation for the River of Life Christian Ministry to the Texas Office of the Secretary of State. The Articles were approved, and the River of Life Christian Ministry was officially founded on March 6, 2002.

          After several years working in the vineyard, on July 13, 2004, +Bishop Michael and Evangelist Mary L. Springs received a Rhema Word from the Lord that their “due season” would begin September 2004. They immediately believed the Almighty God and stepped out in faith. After hearing God, within two days, they had a place to start the public ministry of the River of Life Christian Ministry.

          On September 5, 2004, various pastors, churches, and friends from around San Antonio, Texas helped celebrate the installation of +Bishop Springs and Pastor Evangelist Mary Springs. Their pastor, Pastor Anderson Goodridge, of the Children of God Deliverance Church, Schertz, Texas officiated their installation service. +Bishop Michael J. Springs+ was installed as the Senior Pastor and Evangelist Mary L. Springs was installed as Pastor of River of Life Christian Ministry.

          The following Sunday, September 12, 2004, the doors of the River of Life Christian Ministry were officially opened in an “Upper Room” at the Clarion Suites Hotel in Live Oak, Texas. Six individuals attended: +Bishop Springs, Pastor Evangelist Springs, Elder R.C. Johnson, Sister Mary C. Williams, Aryka Johnson, and Diane Velasquez. +Bishop Springs’ sermon was “Breathe on Me."

          On April 3, 2005, River of Life relocated to the Comfort Suites Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. In January 2007, the Lord spoke to +Bishop Springs in a “still small voice” and instructed him to move into a building. On May 4, 2007, +Bishop Springs signed a lease for the location at 2411 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 114, San Antonio, Texas. After several building modification projects, the River had its first celebration worship service on August 4, 2007. The building was officially dedicated on September 9, 2007, in conjunction with their 3rd anniversary. On October 20, 2018, River of Life relocated to 5624 Randolph Blvd., San Antonio, Texas. The first service was held November 4, 2018.

          On July 24, 2022, +Bishop Springs was elevated to the office of Bishop in the Lord's Church during the annual Faith Association of Ministries International (FAMI) Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.