During homecoming weekend, The Rock had about 80 alumni come back to Mizzou for a Rock Homecoming weekend. At The Rock service on Saturday, a panel of alumni discussed what their lives have looked like after The Rock. If you didn’t get to hear it, you can download or stream it here.
Download or Stream
Just a reminder that tonight at 8:30 p.m. in Brady 233, The Rock is starting a six-week course called Bible Foundations. Regardless of our background, our hope with this new class is to help people build a strong foundation in the Bible so as to overcome our struggles and grow deeper.
Here is the class outline:
Tonight – Intro to God’s Word
Oct. 21 – Development of God’s Word
Oct. 28 – Old Testament storyline and genres
TBA – New Testament storyline and genres
Nov. 11 – Interpreting God’s Word
Nov. 18 – Applying God’s Word
The Rock will be taking a mission trip to Choluteca, Honduras, from Jan. 9-17. In Honduras, we will be helping a local Great Commission Latin America church with their projects, which include an AIDS orphanage and malnutrition clinic. We will have an informational meeting after PWC on Thursday, so if you’re interested, please try to attend the meeting.
You can also check out our newsletter from our January 2008 trip below.
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 2: Time with God
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 3: Fun
What are some of the fun things to do at the fall retreat?
Sit by the fire and eat as many s’mores as you want!!! (i usually max-out at 2)
Play games (cards, board games, frisbee, football, duck duck goose…)
Drink hot cocoa and other warm beverages
Hang out with your friends and have good conversations
Meet new people
Go swinging (my ultimate favs)
Thanksgiving feast on Friday!!!
There’s been glow in the dark ultimate frisbee and capture the flag at past fall retreats
I think the moments are so fun because the fall retreat is a laid back environment because you’re removed from all the distractions of school and everything else that goes on in Columbia. Its just nice being able to spend the time with friends and meet new people. I know for me, my favorite memories and most fun times are spent with those I’m closest with. -
Michelle Ebberts (3 retreats)
I remember getting alot of time to know people outside of the distractions of school. I felt the environment helped me to relax and be more open with my new and old friends. I remember capture the flag, preparing and eating meals, playing music and singing. Even the drive to and from the camp are special with the October air blowing through the car and the autumn leaves providing a beautiful backdrop. What is so special is that there are no distractions, no cell phones, no homework, no noise. And that there are so many ways to connect: music, food, games, bonfire. In fact, even as I’m reflecting on these things, I remember all the joy I experienced through the five retreats I was blessed to participate in.
- Ryan Ferrell (5 retreats)
Each year I’ve been to the fall retreat, I’ve also played in the band for it (this year will be different) and later in the night a bunch of us would sneak into the sanctuary and have a jam session. It has been awesome. I don’t remember really sleeping at either retreat I went to, but I do remember having a hard time staying awake during the morning sermon. There’s always good hanging out and good conversations, but mostly just ridiculous things happening all around. And you know, I’ve learned over the past couple years that for me, it’s not so much what it is that you’re doing, but who you’re doing it with. I always have such a good time at the fall retreats because of the people I’m with. I’ve made really strong connections at the fall retreats that have lasted.
- Keith Montgomery (2 retreats)
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 4: Baptisms
What memories do you have of the baptisms from the fall retreats?
Peggy Myers: I love it when whoever is getting baptized comes out of the water because all of the spectators erupt in thunderous applause and whooping and hollering. People within the Rock body are genuinely excited to see see their brothers and sisters in Christ take this step of obedience. We have a great community at The Rock, and the excitement surrounding baptisms at the fall retreat really illustrates that.
Melissa Molder: In the past, the water for baptisms has been pretty chilly! Everyone has survived it so far…and it definitely makes for a memorable expression of one’s faith!
Lis White: The baptism at the last fall retreat was so awesome. I think there were five or six people who originally had decided ahead of time that they were going to be baptized, and then I believe there were four people who jumped in at the last minute, me being one of them. I remember feeling really excited to be sharing this with the people there and could not have felt closer to God at the point in time had I been anywhere else. The water was REALLY cold, but it didn’t really matter. In fact, it made it more special to me because it kind of represented the things I had to get through to get to this point.
What made being baptized at the retreat special to you?
Peggy Myers: My baptism was special to me in general, because it was a step of obedience, and it was a public declaration and a public symbol of my choosing to obey Christ. Being baptized at the fall retreat was especially meaningful to me however. I was a freshman when I was baptized at the retreat, and I didn’t know many people at all. I did know, however, that I was getting baptized in front of a church that I would be a part of for a long time and in front of people who I would meet and who would help me grow. It has been pretty special to see that come to fruition over the years.
Lis White: I think what made baptism special for me was that I felt like I was being completely obedient to God and that I was getting to share it with people who are devoted to sharing Christ with me.
Abby McClelland: Being baptized at the fall retreat was special because I was able to share it with my community. The best part was that two of my friends were able to baptize me.
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 5: Food
“Friday night, as everyone is pouring in, there is always a group of people scrambling around, preparing what will be the best meal any of the attendees has had since the semester began. After registration is complete and people have moved their stuff in and are growing hungrier as they toss a frisbee or football around outside, John will gather everyone inside to announce our Thanksgiving Feast – an early feast. Chaos ensues as everyone grabs a seat and forms a line to a table full of turkey (sometimes deep-fried), sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, stuffing – all the fixings. They will grab some kool-aid (always cherry), ice tea or water as they head back to their seats. From there, it’s always a great time for everyone to enjoy getting to know people they may not usually see, have great conversations with friends and prepare for the next 21 hours.”
- Chris Swift (3 retreats)
“The Fall Retreat meals were all about the fellowship. The Thanksgiving feast was not just about eating a meal together but also about making the food and serving it. I remember being part of the cooking team, and it was a great feeling to have such a large and delicious meal prepared for everyone with my own hands. Then getting to sit down and enjoy it with my friends was indeed a time to give thanks; we were away from the usual atmosphere of school and the city and the rest of the world with all of its stressers and out with each other and God. I attended six fall retreats through the years and it has been exciting to see how the mealtime has progressed as the church has grown. The sound of the bell calling everyone to come and eat is still vividly in my memory today, and I am hungry just thinking about it!”
- James Peppers (6 retreats)
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 6: Worship
“Some of my favorite memories were the extended worship times in the beautiful, old barn-chapel. There’s something about singing to God so close to His creation that touched me in a deep and different way. I especially love the first night of worship, where you truly experience leaving your life behind for a few hours and experience God in all His fullness instead. Surrounded by a hundred other of His children, all raising their hands to praise the King…it’s a piece of what Heaven will be like.
“Here’s a piece of what I wrote in my journal at my last fall retreat:
‘Ah, the fall retreat, where so much goes through my head and my heart. Move in me this weekend. Flame this little ember into a fire. Worship here reminds me…when I see you face-to-face, my words will lose significance and I will fall on my knees in awe. It’s not about me — more fully than I can imagine, it’s not about me.’”
- Kate Kromann (4 retreats)
“I think the memories I have of Fall Retreat worship time revolve around being exhausted (unfortunately). It was always so much work for the worship team to get down there early, set up, get play lists together for four different services, and finally play the sets. I think the best thing was whenever that first service kicks off on Friday and all of the work doesn’t matter, and we realize that the weekend is about growing closer to God more than anything else. Worship time is as special as how willingly you allow God into your heart. The reason it can be so special is the chance for a large group of extremely willing people to let God in for connection because He is always knocking.”
- Jeff Smith (3 retreats)
We asked our upcoming Fall Retreat speaker a few questions.
Give us a short summary of your testimony.
I began following Christ as a freshman at Ball State. I had grown up in a religious home, but had never seen people my own age living for him. When I encountered that with some of the folks on my dorm floor, it made me begin to question if there was more to faith than what I had grown up hearing. I began reading the Bible and talking with others about what it meant to follow Christ, and I gave my life to following Jesus the first semester of my freshman year. I’ve been terrorizing the Devil ever since.
The top ten memories of the Fall Retreat as told by the people who have been there. In another sense, these may be the top ten reasons why you should attend the fall retreat Oct. 3-4 at Cedar Crest Camp in Mexico, MO.
No. 7: Speakers (read our interview with this year’s speaker, Neil Kring)
“Each year the speaker has been amazing! A cool aspect is the fact that the speakers always give their best and most powerful talks, so they are always really impactful and creative messages. Last year, our speaker, Noel, was really impactful to me because each of the talks he gave related to a person in history. I really love history, and this wasn’t just a boring history lesson, it was really powerful to see how he used real life stories to help us learn about Jesus and relate on a more personal level. It is cool to see how much we can learn from other people’s stories!”
- Cassie Clooten (4 retreats)
“I’ve always remembered speakers as spiritual leaders who join us for the weekend, not as a guy who we only interacted with at the talks, but someone who was there to share life with us. Eating with the group at meals, and hanging out with everyone in the evenings around a campfire, or whatever we end up doing. I love being able to hang out with the guy who comes to share life with us and that’s very much what happens. We get to see his life in action.”
- Jeff Huhman (4 retreats)
What recommendations do you have to combat cold and drowsiness during the talks?
1. A heart desiring to hear from God. If you truly want to hear what the Lord has to teach you during this retreat, it will be much easier to stay alert! 2. Get at least “some” sleep – have fun, but do go to bed in time to get a few hours of decent sleep. 3. Plan for the weather – each year it changes, plan for the possibility of cold or raining weather – bring a sweatshirt, jacket, etc. 4. Get up in time to eat breakfast!! And have some coffee if you need it!
- Cassie Clooten
