The Rock Church

Itchy Ears

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” — 2 Timothy 4:3–4

We live in a remarkable age! With my phone, I can listen to or watch podcasts, videos, reels, and music from around the world. Individual results may vary, but studies find people spend:

• 33 minutes per day on Facebook
• 34 minutes per day on Instagram
• 49 minutes per day on YouTube
• 54 minutes per day on TikTok
• 148 minutes per day on Spotify

The point is obvious: we are consuming an incredible amount of content day to day. And in many respects, it’s incredible! I can listen to people discussing culture, sports, and politics. Also, I can listen to science, the history of the Bible, theology, etc. In fact, I can mow the lawn and learn the Bible. Not only that, but I can always enjoy hours of music.

However, I recently read the passage above. And it surely lands differently in light of the hours we spend consuming digital content each day. The phrase “to suit their own passions” reminds me of our algorithm-driven, carefully curated feeds. Myths stand in contrast to the truth of God’s Word.

Pondering

Some questions to ponder as we make decisions about the content we consume daily:

• There is freedom in Christ. But am I constantly replacing the Word, preaching, and worship with something else? In other words, does my content dull my affection for God’s truth?
• Is this perhaps satisfying some sinful desire in me?
• Will this content fill me with the Fruit of the Spirit? Or am I angry, fearful, or anxious after I consume it?
• Does the content I consume reduce my appetite for meaty things like the Word or worship? Think about cotton candy versus a well-balanced meal. Do I find it harder to digest the parts of the Bible our culture doesn’t like?
• Will my content merely make me feel good, or does it specifically feed my soul?
• Am I painting myself into an echo chamber?
• And finally, does the amount of digital content I consume leave room for the other things the Lord has called me to do?

Questions I am pondering…

Josh

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

The Harvest Is Plentiful in Italy

Good morning from Milano!

It has already been a busy few days for our team! We arrived on Friday, a little later than scheduled due to delays at the airport. Thankfully, all our luggage made it, and so did we!

As often happens with international travel, we are still feeling the effects of jet lag and would appreciate your prayers for rest and recovery. We have a very full week of English Clubs ahead of us, and a few team members are already feeling a bit under the weather.

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

Set Your Mind on Heaven

In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted something almost unimaginable: swimming the 22.8 miles from Catalina Island to the California mainland.

Florence definitely knew a thing or two about long swims. She had already become the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But that day, off the California coast, the water was freezing. Also, people in the support boats had to drive sharks away, and a thick fog settled over the ocean.

For nearly 16 hours, Florence swam.

Finally, exhausted and discouraged, she told the people in the boat beside her that she couldn’t go any farther. Her mother encouraged her to keep going. The shore was certainly close.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Rocktoberfest 2026

Who wants to spend Halloween “just trick-or-treating” when you can have WAY more fun at Rocktoberfest! You’re not going to want to miss this action-packed evening! Join us and bring the whole family to this FREE fall festival.

Walk through our trick-or-treat “street” located on our north lawn, where your kids can “trick or treat” for candy and prizes along the way. We’ll have games, activities, bouncy castles, food trucks and more! The atmosphere will be festive and fun and costumes are encouraged for all.

Posted in Events, News by The Rock Church

Faithcamp 2027 — Save the Date!

Mark your calendars now for an amazing summer conference — Faithcamp!

What is Faithcamp?

Faithcamp is an event for the whole family! Join M28 churches from across the country for an unforgettable week of worship, teaching, fellowship, and activities for all ages—including a dedicated DTC Teen Conference track.

Posted in Events, News by The Rock Church

Being Renewed

“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” — Colossians 3:10

There is something incredibly encouraging hidden in that little phrase, “being renewed.” God’s Word reassures you that God, not you, makes you new. Paul doesn’t say, “You just need to do better.” or “Try harder to become a better version of yourself.” The wonderful thing about this verse is that for all who belong to Christ, God is already doing something in you.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Hands and Feet: Our Final Day in Honduras

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. — 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Our mission trip concluded the way it was meant to—with open doors, warm welcomes, and the unmistakable presence of God at work.

As we gathered in Honduran homes for breakfast on our last morning, I reflected on Mark 6:7, where Jesus sent His disciples out to share the Gospel. They went from place to place, trusting God to provide and receiving the hospitality of those who welcomed them into their homes. In many ways, we experienced that same kind of welcome throughout our time in Honduras, but especially on our final day.

We spent our last hours providing medical care and sharing the Gospel with members of the community. Then we ended where we were meant to be—at the orphanage, standing alongside the faithful servants who dedicate their lives to caring for the children there.

The children welcomed us with unbounded joy, and in serving them, we were reminded of what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ. In those moments with the children and the devoted staff who love them, we saw a beautiful expression of faith in action.

As we prepare to leave Honduras, we carry with us the certainty that God’s Kingdom is at work here. We saw it in homes, medical clinics, Gospel conversations, faithful servants, and in the hope and joy of these children.

Our Honduras Mission Trip may be ending, but God’s work here is not. We leave grateful that He allowed us, even for a short time, to be a small part of what He is doing.

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

Meeting God in the Midst of Suffering

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. — Ephesians 2:10

This trip has been both exhilarating and mentally exhausting—in the very best possible way! Each day has felt like a week. It’s as though we’re living in a strange and wonderful time warp.

When we landed in Comayagua, I discovered that my daughter, Beverly, had developed cellulitis from a bug bite she got in Utah. It was discouraging to face a medical issue before we even left the airport, but thankfully, antibiotics quickly took care of it, and we were able to move forward with the mission.

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

The Real World

Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:10

Sometimes we think our busy lives, full of suffering and distraction, are the real world. But the reality is that Jesus is advancing His Kingdom, and He’s using the love of His Church to do it.

Every opportunity we have to love “the least of these” is made possible by many people working together to serve others and share the love of Jesus.

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

A Story of Forgiveness at Jericho House

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. — Psalm 147:3

One of the girls at Jericho House shared her story with our Honduras Mission Team, and it was one I won’t soon forget.

After losing her father to alcoholism, Carlita’s life became incredibly difficult. Her mother refused to work and sent Carlita and her siblings out to beg on the streets. That’s when Albia stepped in and brought them into Jericho House. Carlita was only six years old when she arrived. Seeing her now at sixteen and hearing her share what God has done in her life is incredible.

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church