Rivers moved to Boston, and began studying at Harvard College in 1976. In 1984, he founded the Azusa Christian Community in Dorchester, serving as pastor. He also founded the Ella J. Baker House, in Dorchester, as a community youth center. Concerned about gang violence, and the high number of youth being killed by gun violence, he joined with other black clergy to found the Boston TenPoint Coalition in 1992. The Coalition's efforts succeeded in reducing violence in Boston's neighborhoods, and led to what has been called the "Boston Miracle." Rivers became co-chair of the National TenPoint Leadership Foundation, and was widely seen as an expert on strategies for reducing urban violence that impacts African Americans.
