The Rock Church

Third Culture Reality: A Metaphor for the Christian Life by The Rock Church

 “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” — Psalm 90:1

Our team had a full day with the European missionary kids. The older kids (12-19) had a hike, devotional, polar plunge in the Adriatic, rock climbing, board games, and a night game of kick the can. For kids 11 and under, they went swimming, played tag, looked at tide pools, skipped rocks, did an obstacle course, watched a movie, and played video games. It was a full day that hopefully gave their parents essential rest.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church
Tags: childcare, christian, Croatia, europe, europian missionaries, Heaven, identity, jesus, mission trip, missions, reality, third culture

Welcoming the Children: A Connection Through Generations by The Rock Church

“He told them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes Him who sent me. For whoever is least among you – this one is great.” — Luke 9:48

After a sunny day with some planning, exploring, and swimming in the ocean, the work we came here for officially began. Children ranging from toddlers to nineteen years old were gathered for a time of getting acquainted and worship on the beach. Thirty-seven children in all made for a lot of volume and kinetic energy, but our time was fruitful. The night ended with a rousing game of hide-and-seek amongst the tweens and teens. This game was of course in the dark, outside, on the large resort campus of a foreign country. God was definitely gracious to us.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church
Tags: childcare, Children, Croatia, GCE, GMR, mission trip, missions, the rock missions, Vrsar

Prayerful by The Rock Church

Are you a prayerful person? Most of us would say we have room to grow in prayer. One of the most encouraging aspects of believers’ lives is pouring out our hearts to God and watching as He responds. There is absolutely no better way for us to communicate our thankfulness, adoration, desires, or grievances with God than through prayer. Yet, for so many of us, it becomes an afterthought. We can also be robotic or neglect to pray altogether.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: Billy, billy johnson, christ, communicate, connect, doubt, God's throne, grief, help, intercede, intercession, James, jesus, power, pray, Prayer, pry, puritan, Romans, separation, talking, talking to God, the rock church, Thessalonians, Thomas Watson, throne, throne of grace

Gathering with Brothers and Sisters: Following the Example of Paul by The Rock Church

“There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appias and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked them and took courage.” — Acts 28:14-15

It has been an encouraging coincidence that I happened to be studying the book of Acts both leading up to, and during this trip to Croatia. My family, church family, and I (18 of us in all) are here in Croatia to minister to the Saints living abroad as full-time missionaries. These missionaries live scattered throughout Europe, even as far as Africa. I haven’t met most of them yet, but am assuming that they don’t have the same comforts that come from having a close church family back in the States. These missionaries are all familiar with each other, but all working in different parts of the world. So, when they reunite tomorrow, I imagine it unfolding much like those verses above. Where brothers and sisters in Christ gather, there is mutual encouragement.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church
Tags: Croatia, europe, GCE, GCZE, missions, the rock missions, Vrsar

Pray for our Croatia Mission Team by The Rock Church

Over the next week, a team of 18 from The Rock is headed to Croatia to provide childcare for missionary families attending the GCE conference. Additionally, at the conference, our very own Bill Young is speaking about Heaven. And, the beloved Wisch family will be in attendance.

Please pray for this time. Pray for traveling mercies for the TRC team and European missionaries. Pray for the missionaries and their families to be encouraged and refreshed during their retreat. And pray for much fruit in the global mission field to come from this time. Thank you for praying!

Keep up with the TRC team’s activities in Croatia by following their blog.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church
Tags: Croatia, GCE, great commission, mission team, missions

Looking Forward by The Rock Church

A lot of the world is looking forward to celebrating Easter. I know I am, as well. Hiding eggs for my children and grandchildren to find is so enjoyable. It’s fun to hide some of them out of reach or in unusual places, so they have to think about it. Not to mention being stuffed with hundred-dollar bills, who wouldn’t be excited to find them? No, not really stuffed with hundo’s, come on. Perhaps they’re filled with candy or something curious. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: clothed, clothing, darkness, death, Easter, easter egg, eggs, end times, faith, feast, Future, garments, Heaven, hell, hidden, jesus, Mac, Matthew, mystery, parable, parable of the wedding feast, scripture, Steve McInroy, the rock church, unknown, waiting, wedding, wedding dress, wedding feast

God is on Your Side by The Rock Church

“This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” — Psalm 56:9-11

Reading this verse, I was particularly encouraged by it. David says, “This I KNOW — God is on my side!” He also said that he praises God for what He has promised.

Christian, do YOU know that the GOD of the universe, the author of all that is good, wonderful, and right, the maker of Heaven and Earth, is ON YOUR SIDE?!

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: compassion, David, doubt, fear, Gifts, God is good, Heaven, Hope, knowing God, knowledge, maker, promises, Questions, reminders, soul, steel, Steele, Steele Croswhite, the rock church, trial, verses, worry

There Was A Garden — Easter 2024 by The Rock Church

Easter at The Rock Church

The most significant events in the history of mankind are the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 19:41-42 says that these events happened near the same place. And in that place, there was a garden. While close to each other in both time and location, the meaning of these events is quite different. 

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church
Tags: burial, Church, crucifixion, death, Easter, easter 2024, easter in utah, Easter Series, Easter Service, Easter Week, garden, God, good friday, jesus, jesus is alive, Resurrection, rock church, the rock church, there was a garden, trc, Utah

Fuses and Friends by The Rock Church

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Last July, several of us went to Faithcamp in Alamosa, Colorado. It was a fantastic four-day conference, and we definitely had an encouraging time. Very tired, we started the nine-hour car trip back to Utah early on Sunday morning.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: AC, billy johnson, care, close, community, dear, electrician, fatihcamp, fire, friends, friendship, fuse box, help, Hospitality, Josh, Josh Whitney, sacrifice, serving, sharing, the rock church, Thessalonians

Jesus in the Middle by The Rock Church

As a pastor, I am for sure not immune to feeling overwhelmed by difficulties. Also, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, life can sometimes make me feel like I’m drowning.

Perhaps the disciples felt this way. In fact, in the gospels of John, Mark, and Matthew, we are told how these fishers of men were overwhelmed with fear at the sight of their teacher walking on water through a storm. As a result, it says they were “terrified” because they thought they saw a ghost!

Isn’t it good to know we are not the only ones who experience fear and anxiety?

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church
Tags: afraid, anxious, Bill, Bill Young, comfort, cookies, courage, crcumstances, desperate, difficulty, disciples, drowning, fear, ghosts, hardship, Hope, jesus, John'Mark, Matthew, oreos, overwhelmed, pain, safety, storm, suffering, sweet, the rock church, trial, trouble, Young