It’s been an eventful October around the
ROC Community. We’ve been on the road visiting churches this month, making the
final push to get everyone fully funded for the Dominican Republic mission trip
happening later this year, and hosting several outreach events. We’ve been
incredibly blessed to see God at work in so many areas; I’d like to share a few
of those with you.
ROC's Student Ministry Summit
First, on Saturday October 22nd
ROC hosted our first annual Student Ministry Summit. We had a little over 50
people in attendance, as well as students and youth leaders from 5 different
churches. Our students organized and led all elements of the day including
games, teaching, and small group times.
They did a phenomenal job. We were also blessed to have Kentucky
Christian University’s praise team Elevate lead us in worship throughout the
day. The best part however, came later in the week when a youth leader let me
know that one of his students chose to accept Christ and be baptized, and that
her experience with the event was part of her motivation!
ROC's Halloween Hotdog Outreach
This past weekend was Athens’ annual
Halloween Block Party. This year our students decided that they wanted to
engage the community during this event and share Christ through a hotdog
outreach. I am so incredibly thankful for the many churches and friends of the
ministry of ROC who contributed financially to help us purchase and give away
1,000 hotdogs that night. I am also indebted to the volunteers from Athens
Church of Christ, Middleport Church of Christ, and Ripley Church of Christ who
showed up to help us work the event! Many of whom stayed past 2am to make sure
all hotdogs were given out and that things were cleaned up.
I wanted to pause here and explain why I
am so excited that 1,000 people received a free hotdog. To me, this is more than
just a free hotdog. Because of your generosity and the hard work of some
friends and students, 1,000 people received something to eat and hopefully got
home safe that night as a result. Even more importantly, 1,000 people were able
to both hear and read that they were being given free hotdogs because Jesus
loves them. Sure it might have gone unnoticed or even unappreciated by some,
but I know for some it was also very appreciated and unexpected. For others, it
was maybe the first time that they had ever heard the name Jesus or heard that
He loves them.
ROC sisters Dava and Courtney Clark were recently featured in the Marietta Times regarding the Winter Dominican Republic ServiceTrip
But none of what we do here would be
possible without folks like you; people who regularly pray for us, encourage
us, and provide the financial support for the ministry of Reach Out on Campus.
We are so incredibly blessed by you. As we close out another year of ministry, I can
honestly say that God has provided for the needs of the community in ways that
I could never have imagined. For our part we strive to be the best stewards of
the money entrusted to us. With current giving trends however, we are
projecting a budget deficit, and as such are praying for people to step up to
bridge this gap by making a year-end donation to ROC. If you would prayerfully
consider helping us out by making a donation to allow us to continue to reach
out in ways similar to those described above, we would greatly appreciate your
support.Many Blessings, -Dodger