The Rock Church

Trusting God for the Growth

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

Seventeen of us recently returned from a 10-day short-term mission trip to the Winter Olympics in Arco and Milan, Italy. Throughout our time there, we saw God show up in incredible ways. Whether at our TRM concerts or through street busking evangelism, many on our team had meaningful Gospel conversations. I am still processing all the ways we saw and experienced God’s provision, goodness, and sovereign plan.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Why We’re Going on a 2026 Winter Olympics Mission Trip

In three days, a team of 18 people will embark on an 11-day 2026 Winter Olympics mission trip to Italy.

During this trip, we’ll spend half our time in Northern Italy, in a small town called Arco. While we’re there, we’ll be staying with our dear friends, the Testa family. Our goal is to help them build connections, form new partnerships with other ministries, and share the gospel with anyone we come in contact with.

Posted in Missions by Brent Kendall

The Gospel

I am so very thankful for the Gospel. Without a doubt, it has entirely changed the course of my life. And even more incredible is to know that in faith, I believe the Gospel has changed the course of my eternal life. 

Separation

Before I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I was just like every person (who also inherited sin) since the fall of Adam and Eve. A life separated from God for all eternity. I can’t begin to express the enormity of that truth in this life. Or, let’s take it further into the almost incomprehensible eternal life. Forever! Early in my walk with God, the verse below absolutely wrecked me. And even now, when I read it, I almost gasp out loud. Like the sound you might make when you witness someone getting horribly injured.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor 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

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

Hope in Milano: The Start of Our Mission Journey

Hello Church Family!

We arrived safely in Milano! Although a little bleary-eyed from travel, everyone is in great spirits.

At the airport, we were greeted by Amanda and her two kids, Hannah and John. What a joy it was to see their familiar faces again! After some quick reunions and introductions for our new team members, we headed to their home.

Posted in Missions, News by The Rock Church

English Club has been well attended!

English clubs have been going well. We’ve had over 70 people sign up for them so far, and we’re hoping to have 100 people sign up by the end of the week. Everyone has been very enthusiastic, and we’ve all loved getting to know the university students. God is fostering the foundations for deeper relationships already, and he’s brought several people for each English Club level, so we have our hands full each day with English clubs!

We haven’t had anyone else yet get saved that we know of, so if you could please be praying that we would continue to have Gospel conversations and see more people pass from death to life, it would be much appreciated!

Here are the general plans for the rest of the week. 
We’re having a cooking class tonight and teaching them how to make pancakes! This should be a very fun time. Also, as this is the middle of the week, it’s likely we’re going to get into deeper conversations with the students, and the same for the rest of the week. It will be the standard English club format for Thursday and Friday, although, on Friday, we’ll hold a sort of “graduation” party to celebrate the end of the week.

On Saturday, we’ll be going on an excursion to the town of Chiavenna! We have already begun to invite the students, but please pray that the majority of them will want to come with us and be able to so we can continue to shine the light of Christ in their lives and love on them! 

Church, we’re so grateful for your continued support while we labor here with the Apisas and the Lehtonens. Have a wonderful day!

Grace and peace, Abbi

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

Salvation on Day One

Well, we’ve been in Italy a little over 24 hours. We got here with everyone, all our luggage, and only mild jet lag. The weather has been pretty nice for us, so far. We might get rain in the last half of the week. Church was great this morning. We got to worship with about 20 Italian members, so our ten increased the numbers by 1/3. For me, it’s always great to catch up with everyone, give them a hug, and just let them know that they aren’t in this alone.

While we were out seeing some of the sights, one of the church members, Andy, from Ohio, and one of the previous English Club students joined up with us. As we walked through the city, Andy (from Ohio) and Lourdes (from the Utah team), shared their stories of salvation with Pasquale, and he prayed to accept Christ. We don’t usually see salvations every year, but God had been working on his heart from coming to previous English Clubs. Please pray for him, his confidence in his salvation, and clarity on taking steps to start his life as a new creation.

We start the English Clubs tomorrow, so we need a lot of prayers. Pray for everyone that signed up and pray for them to show up. Pray for more people to sign up and show up. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help all of us team members to meet lots of people, listen to what they have to say, and to give us the right things to say and the right way to say them. God is at work in Italy, for sure.

We thank you all for your love and support. We can’t wait to see what God is going to do this week and what amazing things He has planned for everyone in the future. In the meantime, we hope all of you are doing well in your own, daily, personalized mission trips that God hand picked each of you for.

God Bless,

Chris Troxel

Posted in Missions by The Rock Church

Italy Mission Update

2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Thanks be to God, and to all of you, who participated in our Family Game Night fundraiser. The 2017 Italy Mission Team is so blessed by the generosity of The Rock Church saints. The fragrance of Christ permeated the church building on Sunday night, with laughter and joy as people of all ages came together to play games, enjoy amazing snacks, and support the upcoming short term mission trip to Italy. Together, we raised more than $2,100 during the event, that will be go directly to the team – expenses like air travel, lodging and food – will be provided for the team thanks to your generous donations.

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Posted in Events, Missions by The Rock Church