Archive for October, 2008

Bible Foundations

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

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

Honduras Trip

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

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.

Page 1 (PDF, .9 MB)
Page 2 (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Fall Retreat Top Ten – No. 1

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

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. 1: Fellowship

“The Fall Retreat was a great catalyst for my integration into the body of believers at The Rock. It was there that I went from meeting people to getting to know, and be known by, other Christians at The Rock. I had my first long walk with Ben Heimann at one of my retreats. Ben began to take an active interest in my walk with God, and began discipling me (i.e. intentionally doing me spiritual good). He taught me how to study God’s Word and apply it to my life. He faithfully encouraged me to pursue God and rebuked me when I was in sin. Our relationship remains invaluable to me, as do countless others which either began or were strengthened by the time we spent together in Mexico, Mo. In that way, the Retreat is a great place to begin forming the type of discipling relationships in which we spur one another on toward being fruitful, loving and faithful Christians. It also was a great way to meet people who I might never have spoke to before or after a Saturday evening service. During football games or around the bonfire, I found myself meeting dozens of people who I hadn’t known before. As an introvert, this immensely valuable.” 
- Trevor Taylor (4 retreats)
“The fellowship was awesome at the fall retreats. My favorite memories of fellowship were around the campfire, cooking in the kitchen, staying up late and playing games, and individual fellowship with the Lord, reading the Bible and praying!” 
- Becky Heimann (4 retreats)
Beth Duggan attended three fall retreats. Here are some of her favorite fellowship memories:
-Sitting around the fire, listening to people play guitar and sing, making S’mores.
-People huddled together in the chapel in the morning, praising God, and trying to stay warm.
-Open mic at the coffee shop where people could share whatever they wanted: a song, a poem, a joke, whatever!
-The presence of great joy the morning of the baptisms as people gather by the water, and the nervousness and excitement of those sharing their testimony.
-The difference between the drive to the retreat and the drive back. On the way back, it’s still fun, but there’s, I don’t know, this shared feeling of everyone processing what God has laid on each person’s heart over the weekend.

What makes the fellowship at the fall retreat so special?
“You are forced to talk about the Bible and your walk with God with other people. It is much more difficult to hide from conversations about your life and God’s Word when everything you are hearing that weekend is about Jesus Christ. The natural conversation starter becomes, “So, what did you think about that message? Isn’t God’s mercy for sinner’s like us amazing? How do you think that passage of scripture applies to your life?” - Trevor
“I believe fellowship was always so special at the fall retreats because it was such a short intense weekend in a place faraway from the crazy and busy campus life! It always came at just the right time, too! After a few intense weeks of starting back into the fall semester, it was a much needed getaway!” - Becky
“I think the fellowship so special because the relationships you’ve been building since August have a chance to really take root in your life at the retreat. It’s a chance to be really raw with people about whatever is going on in your life at the time, and it’s a really safe place to do it, because everyone’s in the same spot. Everyone has something that God has put on their heart, something that God is opening their eyes to, and it’s such a beautiful thing to see the community embrace each other and walk with each other through those things. I’ve seen God move mountains at these retreats, but only when people are willing to let Him.” - Beth 

Fall Retreat Top Ten – No. 2

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

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

“I think some of my first times experiencing God through silence and solitude were at the fall retreat, usually in some far off place in the woods where I felt I could truly hear His voice. It was great being away from the distractions and hectic life of school and I felt I was finally able to be quiet enough and still enough to be with Him. There’s something about the fall retreat that places an emphasis on connecting. Being in relationship; connecting with God and connecting with people. Being away from everything in “everyday” life allowed me to see what is truly most important. Having the time to connect with our community in a deeper way allowed me to realize God simply desired a relationship with me as well and a deeper one. 
- Mazvita Matsiga (4 retreats)
“I remember a few times I took walks in the morning to talk to and listen to God. It was a good time for me because I was away from school and homework and the internet. I think I was often so busy during school that this was the only way a peaceful time in nature was going to happen. Now I see that for me it was well worth going to the retreat, if just to have that time with the Lord.”
- Bill Lautenschlager (5 retreats)
What recommendations do you have for someone going to the FR to meet with God?
To go with one single desire: to get to know God’s love for you and how much He desires a relationship with you more than anything else in the world. - Mazvita

Fall Retreat Top Ten – No. 3

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

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)

Fall Retreat Top Ten – No. 4

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

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.




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