The Rock Church

Tag Archive: gospel

  1. Hands and Feet: Our Final Day in Honduras

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    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.

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  2. Meeting God in the Midst of Suffering

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    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.

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  3. The Real World

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    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.

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  4. A Story of Forgiveness at Jericho House

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    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.

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  5. God is Already at Work

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    The Honduas Mission team from The Rock Church.

    Greetings from Honduras!

    As we begin our fourth day in this beautiful country, surrounded by wonderful saints and covered by the Holy Spirit, our Honduras Mission Team is bursting with excitement about how God has been allowing us to be His hands and feet. In just a few short days, we’ve already seen Him at work in so many lives.

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  6. Salt and Light

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    My oldest son and I recently attended DTC (our M28 Alliance conference for high schoolers) in Ft. Collins, Colorado. This year’s topic was evangelism – specifically, proclaiming the Gospel without shame. Thank you to all of you who helped raise funds for this conference during the Youth Group Bake Sale on Easter weekend!

    Along with many hours of fellowship and fun, a number of tremendous pastors taught, and various M28 youth bands led worship. Some very helpful workshops equipped the teens with practical tools for evangelism. We also spent time going into the surrounding cities to practice engaging people in Gospel conversations and church invites. 

    It was an encouraging few days to be around so many youth and their parents, talking about the Kingdom of God. And it was also refreshing getting our minds focused on the importance and beauty of the Gospel. It is indeed the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. 

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  7. Pursuing Like Jesus

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    There have been many times in my life where I’ve been tempted to give up on someone.

    I’m sure you’ve been there before, too.

    You’ve watched someone make the same bad decisions over and over. Also, you’ve prayed for them and had hard conversations with them. As well as serving them over and over. And yet… nothing good seems to come from it. 

    They keep jumping back into the same mistakes. Maybe they have started to avoid you. Perhaps they don’t respond anymore. Or they have flat out disappeared.  

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  8. Barn Raising

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    There was a common practice in rural North America in the 18th & 19th centuries. And Amish and Mennonite communities often practice it today. It was a time when the entire community came together to build a barn for a family in their community. 

    Neighbors from miles around would show up — farmers, blacksmiths, and merchants. Some brought tools, and others brought food. Skilled workers handled the preparation, the structure, and specialized labor. At the same time, others carried wood, hammered nails, or simply supported when needed. Even women and children participated where they could. 

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  9. Not Ashamed

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    “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” — Romans 1:16

    Lately, this verse has stirred something fresh in me. It has reminded me again just how beautiful and powerful the Gospel truly is.

    Twenty-three years ago, Jesus completely turned my life around. He transformed it. It had absolutely revolved around me. Now it centers on Him. And in that surrender, I found something I had been missing all along—real, lasting joy. But it wasn’t in circumstances or achievements. It was in Christ… and in sharing Him with others.

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  10. Proven Character

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    “But you know that Timothy has proved himself… he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” — Philippians 2:22 (NIV 1984)

    A few years ago, I sat across from a young couple I was counseling. They had been married just three months—and were already talking about divorce. As we talked, the wife said something that stuck with me: “I just can’t handle him… he’s so untidy. He always leaves his socks on the floor. I didn’t know he was like this.”

    I remember thinking… socks?

    But it wasn’t really about socks. It was deeper. They had unmet expectations, felt frustrated, and didn’t endure when things got hard. Sadly, they divorced. And it reminded me: many people want the blessings of commitment. But far fewer are willing to pay the price to build the kind of character that sustains commitment.

    That’s what Paul highlights about Timothy. In what looks like simple travel plans (in the verses), we discover something powerful. Timothy had proven character. Not flashy talent or temporary passion. Instead, he had steady, tested, reliable faithfulness.

    Here’s the truth: you don’t build character in moments—you reveal it over time.

    Anyone can be kind for a day. They can certainly serve for a season. But proven character shows up again and again. And so it shows up when it’s inconvenient, unnoticed, and frustrating.

    Timothy stood out because he cared deeply for people and put Christ first. Equally important, he stayed consistent and remained loyal. Because of that, Paul trusted him completely.

    The Long Haul

    So, here’s the question: “Are we becoming people who others—and God—can trust?”

    In a world of quick results and easy exits (like a microwave), God does something different. He doesn’t instantly form lives; instead, He slowly forms them over time.

    Microwaves are fast… but shallow. Crock pots take time… but produce something rich and lasting. Without a doubt, that’s how God builds character.

    He’s looking for people who don’t bail when it’s hard or quit when it’s inconvenient. They don’t walk away when life gets messy (even if there are socks on the floor 😉).

    The Lord is looking for people who stay. Who grow. And who also endure. People who are in it for the long haul. Because in the end, it won’t matter how gifted you were. It will matter how faithful you were.

    Don’t just aim for success this week. Aim for proven character.

    In it for the long haul,

    Bill

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