The Rock Church

Run the Race!

I think God has placed an innate sense of competition in our DNA (somewhere). This also includes a desire to run the race. Obviously, there’s more competition and desire in some people than others. Along with that, the race can mean a plethora of things to each of us. But one thing is certainly true. We undoubtedly all want to win. Nobody hopes to use their thumb and index finger to place an L on their forehead. 

While a young boy, I believed I was very fast. As a young man, I was definitely full of myself. Consequently, I would sometimes challenge other men to a foot race. This typically happened at parties and get-togethers. I’d even challenge the occasional woman. In fact, my wife was one of them; we were both very competitive. I beat her handily, by the way. Alas, as age takes its cruel toll on us, we all slow down. Even the next generation eventually replaces professional athletes.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Talk it Out, Pray it Out

“16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” — James 5:16-17

Recently, I’ve been reading in the book of James. These verses reminded me of the power of prayer in a fresh way. James shows us that we experience healing, breakthrough, and spiritual strength through two simple but important practices: confession and earnest prayer.

Verse 16 calls us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that healing can flow. Confession certainly isn’t about earning forgiveness from Jesus. On the contrary, His grace already covered us at the Cross. Instead, confession is about walking in the light. It keeps the enemy from cornering us with shame and isolation. It also gives Believers permission to live in an honest, transparent, and grace-filled way. We begin to heal when we step into the light with a trusted community and invite God into our weakness.

Then James points to Elijah in verse 17. He writes of a man “as human as we are.” A man whose earnest prayers absolutely shaped the world around him. Elijah wasn’t perfect; he was simply willing. His life reminds us of something we should never forget. That fervent, faith-filled prayer from ordinary people invites extraordinary intervention from God.

These Verses Remind Us

Honesty opens the door to healing. Equally important, earnest prayer opens the door to God’s power. We don’t need to be spiritual giants. We just need to always surrender ourselves, be humble, and be willing to pray.

Considering this, is there something in your life He’s prompting you to confess so you can walk in the light? And how can you take steps today to pray in faith, believing He hears and responds?

Talking it out and praying with you,

Steele

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

The Promise Fulfilled — Christmas Series 2025

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20

Christmas is approaching, and it brings our four-week series called “The Promise Fulfilled.” We’ll discover how the promises of God find their ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Christ: beginning with ancient prophecies of hope, continuing to the angel’s songs of joy, celebrating the Prince of Peace born in Bethlehem, and embracing God’s gift of love revealed in Jesus.

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church

A.I. Sycophancy

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 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 4:2-4

A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) has been in the news A LOT! Everyone certainly has thoughts and predictions about what it means for our world.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Lessons from the Life of Obed-Edom

Imagine along with me. You wake up to find someone has delivered the Ark of the Covenant (the sacred symbol of God’s very presence) to your house for safekeeping (by Amazon). That’s exactly what happened to a man named Obed-Edom. Well, not the Amazon part.
 
Let me back up a bit. King David and his men were transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. A tragic incident occurred when Uzzah improperly handled the Ark and died (1 Chronicles 13). King David halted the Ark’s journey and left it in the home of Obed-Edom. What happened next has always amazed me:

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

The Roads We Would Rather Avoid

In my previous posts, I have written about the passing of my father and my journey with Jesus through grief. This is my latest entry into that collection. Maybe one day you will find these posts a source of comfort, too.

October 23 marked five years since the day my father went into cardiac arrest while driving us home from work. It was a moment that not only changed my life but also rerouted how my brain navigates grief, pain, and loss.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

A Night of Hope — Join Us for “Harvest Crusade: Hope for America”

In today’s world, people are searching for peace and hope amid chaos and uncertainty. The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk has left many in shock and searching for answers. But there is good news: God offers lasting hope and purpose in life.

At the invitation of local pastors and leaders, Pastor Greg Laurie will bring a Harvest Crusade to Utah — specifically to Utah Valley University. Partnering with local churches, including The Rock Church, this free, one-night, live-streamed event is called:

Harvest Crusade: Hope for America

When: Sunday, November 16 @ 6:00 p.m. (MST)

Where: The Rock Church — Official Host Site

Posted in Events, News by The Rock Church

Making a Way: God’s Work Through Conversations in Milano

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19

Our second day of English clubs went very well! We had both fun and meaningful conversations around the topic of music.

Several students shared that they had never been asked about their favorite song or type of music before. Many expressed genuine gratitude simply for being asked a question and for being listened to with interest. One student in particular, Vlad, was especially thankful that we took time to hear his thoughts. That moment opened the door to deeper conversations about belonging and community.

Conversations and Connection

Elijah had the opportunity to share with Vlad and his older brother about our church—how it’s a family, why it’s called The Rock, and that Jesus is our foundation and everlasting rock.

The skit we performed for the students was a huge hit—so much so that they wanted to take a photo with “George Washington” (a.k.a. Ryan)!

Later that evening, we took five students out to dinner, where even more meaningful conversations unfolded. Abbi, Ava, and Kaylee spent time with Vittoria (who came last year and stayed in touch with Andrea and Abbi throughout the year) and a new student, Ilaria. They’ve been able to share their faith multiple times, and both girls have shown genuine curiosity and asked wonderful questions.

We are so thankful that God has gone before us and prepared the way for these conversations.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) brings more opportunities for connection—through a cooking class, games, and continued conversations.

Please pray that our words will be led by the Holy Spirit, that we would continue to speak with boldness, gentleness, and truth, and that God would be glorified in everything we do.

In Christ,
The Italy Mission Team

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church

Providence

Lately, on my drive home from work, I’ve been intentionally quiet. Off goes the radio, and I sit in the silence. I think about how glorious God is and how near He is to me. I don’t ask anything in prayer, or even pray out loud. In the same way, my thoughts are about Him, and I quietly praise Him. Along with that, I enjoy the indwelling of His Spirit in me.

More recently, on one of these quiet drives home, God’s providence overwhelmed me. How incredibly detailed He must be to be truly providential in everything. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

God’s Delight and Our First Day of English Club

“As for the saints who are on the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” — Psalm 16:3

The night before our first English club meeting, Frank Apiza encouraged our team with these words. What a beautiful reminder that God’s delight in each one of us—even before our mission work begins.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church