Hope everyone is doing good today and ready to meet together as a church family on Sunday!  Many of us, you get together or at least cross paths throughout the week but there is absolutely nothing that can replace us being together each Wednesday and Sunday.  So as we reflect on us being together last night may we already be anticipating being together on Sunday.  But now, today, we're in the grind, in the world, equipped and encouraged for what the day brings.   I pray you're ready to face all that God will place before you today.

 In the We had a great time in the Word last night as a student ministry.  We finished our series digging into How and Why we accomplish the What of The Rock SM.  We've discussed certain elements of our faith that are must haves.  We've looked at why these things are so important and how they in fact do help us in this life.  Andrew finished us off last night.  His sermon is attached below.

I do want to share one question I was asked last night in my group, after the sermon.  Had nothing to do with the sermon but everything to do with life.  It will help you understand the seriousness of the struggle and what exactly is on the mind of the random 15 yr old as we peel behind the layers.
The question "Why doesn't Jesus help me?"  His problem was this, he doesn't expect Jesus to provide bread or money or a new house.  He simply is curious why Jesus doesn't take the pain away.  Great question, popular question and also one of the biggest "hang-ups" with people today.  So how would you respond?  There is not good answer, only the most right.  Jesus didn't come to take all our boo boos away.  We will experience pain, suffering, wrong while living here.  He understood this. But why does his mom keep getting "done wrong?"  Again, a big perspective is key here.  Has God forgotten us?  Is Jesus real?  Is Jesus enough for our daily needs?  Huge question and the answer is something that will continue to be lived out.  Be praying for this young man and for the others who do not yet have the boldness to ask such a question.  But be honest....we think this too sometimes don't we?  In the end the question had everything to do with the sermon I guess.  If this center of the sermon was questioning why we continue in this Christian life, questioning where Jesus is in my pain is an obvious reason to not continue.

Last night we attempted something new.  Many students have cell phones with them on Wednesday night.  They seem to not have their Bible.  We do have actual Bibles for them to use each Wednesday night.  Over the last 10 years we've probably bought 500 Bibles.  We let them take them if they do not have one....occasionally they forget to bring them back, obviously.  But....they rarely forget their phones.  So why not put them to use in a good way.  Why not teach them that even the phone can be used for good.  
YOUVERSION is a Bible app in all app stores.  Within that app there are events, bottom right option, third down from the top.  EVENTS.  Once you hit, if your location is used within the app you'll see us.  

Once there, during the service, students can follow along with the points, commentary and Scripture.  A great way to be present during the night and a great way for students to continue to chew on what we've talked about.  We'll give it a go for the next month and see what students think.

Meet & Greet is a time for us to meet and talk with parents and students after the AM worship.  We told you all about this last week along with Camp and Refuel information.  So I'll simply point you back to that for all the details.


Have a great rest of your week and we'll see everyone Sunday morning!
Thank you for allowing us to be a small part in your students life.
​Chris

Hello!  Hope everyone is well and resting in the grace and mercy of God which stands new for us this very morning.  What an incredible thought and truth.  We all have things we love and wished would never run out.  The vacation, the summer break, Christmas, that amazing meal, endurance and energy are but a few things I wished I had an endless supply of in my life.  The reality is these things ultimately end and then I wait.  In those cases that in and of itself is a beautiful.  If everyday were vacation we'd eventually grow tired of that, at least some of us would.  But as we turn our focus to the grace and mercy of God we have this endless supply.  We could never turn to it one day and find it empty.  We could use it all up to return to an empty tank.  No, it is always more than enough, ultimately sufficient in and for our every need.  Do you need encouragement today?  Do you need motivation to continue on?  Do you need a simple reminder that God is for you and not against you?  Find rest, comfort, hope and joy in the reality that His grace and mercy stand new, fresh, completely full for you today.
That's a hope that will never end and never be found empty!  What a great truth.

We continued our series on Why and How we accomplish the What of The Rock SM.  This series is one that will specifically answer the question of the Bible, Jesus, Church and us continuing in these things will help us with our WHAT.   The What is simple:  Know Christ and make Christ Known.

Last night we looked at the church.  The church is under attack this very day.  It has been from the beginning but now it seems people who once aligned with the church are walking away from her, not seeing the need for her and not understanding the importance she can play in their lives.  This is sad and actually a tragedy.

The church is instrumental, needed and actually a God designed, Jesus loving, Bible supported need in our lives.  So why is the church so important to me knowing Christ and making Christ known?  Find the answer in the pages of God's holy Word.  You can also read through the sermon from last night and get a head start.  

Last night was not a complete look at the importance of the church.  It was a basic and simple glance at the Why and How of the church.

One thing is certain....there are many things in our culture that are meant to aid the church that are actually competing with the church.  Video sermons, para-church ministries, that Youtube channel of your favorite christian personality.  Small groups, home groups, cell groups, travel ball groups, work groups.  You name it and everything has the potential to replace the church.  But we find in God's Word that the church is the be the pillar of each community.  A city set on a hill filled with a people (true definition of the church) that are, not called to be but ARE salt and light.  These people gather, they are an assembly of called out ones.  Meant to gather only to be scattered into their personal lives to go proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is the church and it is precious to God.

The main question is this.  If the church was designed by God and if the church is important to Jesus, and if the church is taught from pages of Scripture.....why shouldn't it be important to us?  Don't be confused or misled.  There are many benefits and need for the preacher on youtube, for live stream, for the para-church ministries.  But the minute they begin to replace the gather of the body of Christ is the minute a problem begins to rise.

Below is the pricing plan for both trips as well as the calendar for any price increases for each trip. All deposits will be non-refundable and non-transferable. 
Price for each trip covers all food, lodging, shirt and programming and is determined by the date of a minimum $20 deposit. 

Good morning, afternoon and evening!  Hope everyone is good and settled into the routine of school. Football officially kicks off soon, just have to pray for football weather to quickly follow! Praying for a great season to all those involved in the many things going on right now. Football, softball, band, and then ACADEMICS! Probably missed some but praying either way for God to be glorified in all we say, do and think.

Last night we continued our series "The WHY and the HOW of the What of The Rock SM."  Simply put, What are we here for?  Why are we here for that reason?  How will we ever hope to accomplish that 'What?' Big questions personally and a big question for our ministry.  Peace and direction seems to happen when clarity exists.  As we understand the what, why and how we can just live. Clarity helps so much.  So this month we're simply re-visiting all of these things as we do each August.  Why are we here, why does it matter and how does that even help?  This year we're approaching it by looking at 4 huge things....The Bible, Jesus, The Church, and us actually Walking. How and Why will these things helps us do the What.  By the way, the WHAT is simple:  Know Christ and Make Christ Known.

Attached is the sermon from last night as Andrew led us to better understand how and why Christ is so important to every "what" in our life.

September 4th - Kick off night with snow cones after a short FOCUS explanation.

September 8th - Meet & Greet: come and meet the leaders who pour into your students each week.  Also a great time to learn the why's, what's and how's of our ministry.  Also....a great time to bring some folks you know who are yet to be plugged into The Rock SM. Also.....an opportunity to go ahead and register for our Winter and Summer Retreat at a discounted price. Special price for that day only. 




Have a great weekend and we'll see everyone Sunday!
Chris

After some time away the RockBlog is back.  We took the spring/summer off to really try another method of communicating with The Rock SM family.  Moving forward we'll house all weekly communication and updates here on our website.  We will push the information from various format but they will all point here.   

The blog is mainly this.  A weekly note to let you know what's happening in The Rock, what's being taught at The Rock, what's coming up at The Rock and anything in between.  Sometimes I get long-winded, like today, while other times it's short and sweet (few and far between.)  But the hope is that every week you hear from me or Andrew.  We never want to be distant or secretive.  We feel the home is to be the main disciple maker of these students.  We are merely a support group and partner for you.  We do realize not every student has a home where that takes place.  But we never assume the role of a Father and Mother.  We do however hope to play a significant part in their lives.  One aspect of that is communication.  That's where the blog and this website come into play.

Our website is the central hub to all things Rock.  We will be fading out our Remind communication.  That account will be deleted by September and text/emails will be our main form of contacting you.  If you have not updated your profile on the Roopville Road Community Builder I would definitely do that.  Ensure your email is correct and also ensure your cell number and carrier is up to date.  Our hope is that we have an open and active line of communication to you as parents.  The Community Builder is the best option moving forward.

On another note, Community Builder has an app called LEAD.  This app is for the phone and is great for quick contact information, messages and calendars.  It syncs with and is the same at the online version of Community Builder.  So....be looking for those changes to take place by the end of August.

  August is typically the bridge from one year to the next.  August is a transition month for all families as we get to know that school schedule once again.  Our Calendar at The Rock SM is fairly empty. We purposely keep it that way to ensure our students are making that transition from sleeping in to getting up early and then the struggle of having to function for 6 hours a day.  

We do meet in August and each year we love to address who we are as a ministry.  What is our hope?  Our vision?  Our goal?  Why do we come each week?  Why does Roopville Road even have a student ministry?  Furthermore, why am I, a student, even here.....on earth?

We love these questions and specifically address them each August.  This year our approach is to look at how the Bible, Jesus, Church and Walking fit into the hope of this ministry.  The title is lengthy but a the actual purpose.  The why and how of the what of The Rock SM.

The Hope of WHAT of the Rock Sm is simple: 
Help students come to know Christ and make Christ known.
We seek to work towards that in many ways.  Each year is different but the end is the same.  We hope to help students come to know Christ and make Him known.

One huge statement from last night was this: 
Our hope is that we introduce you to Christ (the WHY).   If we change the Why of our lives, the Whats seem to fall into place.   That's when we go on offense rather than defense.  That's when we begin to facilitate rather than motivate.  That's my goal.  That we would have a ministry filled with students who fully embraced the WHY.   of course we know there will always be people struggling in the WHY.  For that reason our ministry is also changing and adapting and seeking to meet all students where they are.  The full sermon is available below.

It was good to be back on a normal night.  I'm so excited for our new year, new theme, upcoming series.  This year has the potential to fully meet students with the WHY's and WHAT'S of their life.