Prayer Bombing : The Students

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

MATTHEW 9:36-38

I continue to ask that you would join us in our prayer bombing. The enemy would have us derailed before we begin. This week we pray for the souls of our students. Specifically, we are asking that the Lord would work in the hearts of those who already go to The Rock and those we are meant to encounter early on.


Mon, July 25: Returning students would enter the semester connected to the Lord

Tues, July 26: Returning students would enter the semester outreach-minded

Wed, July 27: We would meet freshmen who are seeking the Lord in some capacity

Thur, July 28: We would meet solid freshmen who connect with The Rock early on

Fri, July 29: Students would be wise with their time in the first couple months

Sat, July 30: Students will be praying and reading the Word in first couple months

Sun, July 31: Freshmen Leadership Group
This is our Tuesday night discussion group lead by John. It has been used as a great way for freshmen new to The Rock and Mizzou to meet each other and share with one another their experiences and challenges.

Thank you for laboring with me in prayer. We are earnestly expecting great life change.

Take care,
Chris

Prayer Bombing : Fall Outreach Events

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:19

So often we get distracted by this world and lose sight of the battle that is going on for the souls of man. As Christians we can get written off easily as we are accused of putting the blinders up as we go through life. Sometimes we do need a reality check. There is more going on than meets the eye. We are in a war here and taking the sidelines is not an option we are given.

With that in mind, as a church we are recognizing the power of prayer as it relates to our battle in reaching the students at Mizzou for the kingdom. This is where I am grateful for you. I am imploring you to join us in a season of prayer leading up to the Fall Semester. Our pastor is calling it prayer bombing, reminding us of the battle taking place and the crucial role of prayer.

This week we are praying for our Fall Outreach Events. Each day, please join us in praying for a specific outreach event.

Mon, July 18 - Brady Survey Table

Our information table where students can give us contact info. This is an invaluable resource for us to meet new students.

Tues, July 19 - Canvas Group Follow up nights

We visit students who want to know more about The Rock and begin to build relationships started at the Brady Table.

Wed, July 20 - Rock Fall Concert

Another huge outreach event I am deeply involved in. This is a major chance to encounter hundreds of students.

Thur, July 21 - Pig Roast

Our first big gathering of the year, this is a main event we use to invite students to and sort of our welcome back party.

Fri, July 22 - Kick-off Rock

The first big worship service of the year.

Sat, July 23 - Kick-off canvas group

Our small groups meet for the first time.

Sun, July 24 - Posters, post-cards, football schedules, general advertising

We don't rely on these alone, but pray that God will use even the smallest things to introduce us to new students.

Each week I will post the prayer schedule. Thank you so much for joining me in prayer and for your support.

God bless,

Chris

July 2011 Prayer Letter

Hey everyone!

I'm excited to share with you about what is happening with us here at The Rock. In this letter, I share about some of our dreams for the Worship Team this year, a recap on our church's recent relief trip to Joplin and many things to pray for.

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support. I pray this letter is an encouragement to you today.

Happy Fourth and God bless,

Chris

Joplin Relief Trip

"Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, 

for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other."

1 Thessalonians 4:9

It is a given that we are to love one another. It should be all the more obvious that when devastation hits, we are to reach out and lend a helping hand, doing whatever we can. College students don't have a lot of financial resources, so what do we do? We serve with our hands.

Last Saturday, 20 of us went to Joplin to do just that. In a partnership with Grace Baptist Church, we spent a day in the unreal landscape finding ways to bring some small relief to those hit by the tornado that came through in late May. As with most mission trips, we came away with our hearts heavy and yet humbled by the hope that we encountered.

We split into three groups once we got there. One served by gutting a house all day to restore the foundation of the structure that remained. Tirelessly, the shoveled and removed debris throughout the day. Another team served at the church, unloading and distributing resources that have been donated. The team Aimee and I were on did what they called canvassing. We were assigned streets to walk down and were instructed to pray for each family and home. If we encountered people who were outside, we were to ask them what needs the church could meet and to pray with them if they permitted it.

We were so encouraged by the hope we found. Two ladies we encountered were so thankful that we could provide a truck to come and pick up a freezer and refrigerator that they otherwise could not depose of themselves. We joined in a circle and thanked the Lord for provision. Another couple had major structural damage and had lost two enormous trees but were grateful and shared that they were thankful for the efforts of the church and that they were in turn helping their neighbors. A project we ran into later in the day was salvaging a new deck that had survived while it's home was destroyed. We helped deliver it across town to a new owner.

Though the scene was like something out of a movie, our hearts were heavy with compassion and filled with hope at the same time. It was an honor to serve with a church that was being the church! They did not need to be told that yes, you love those who are hurting and broken around you. To serve alongside our students was a bonding time and an encouragement as well. God is good and is doing a great work in Joplin. Continue to send prayers their way.

Honduras LT Blog

Pastor Ed Courtney is leading a team of college students for our first ever LT. For those interested, here is a blog of what the team is up to so far!

http://www.honduraslt.com/