Well my thermometer showed a brisk 31 degrees this morning, which can only mean that summer is officially over and we are now well into fall. One of our favorite parts of fall within the ROC community is Fall Retreat. This past weekend (October 12-14) we took a group of 22 to West Virginia's amazingly beautiful New River Gorge.
The theme for retreat this year was “Restore” and centered around Psalm 23:1-3. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake” (NASB). This messages was an incredibly relevant and timely one for our group as this year’s retreat coincided with mid-terms. And seriously, what better location to allow God to restore us than surrounded by His creation?
We spent the weekend hiking, fellowshipping, worshipping God, and learning together. My favorite part of the weekend was literally a mountain top worship experience. Our worship team carried in their instruments and led us in worship on top of an outcropping of rocks overlooking the gorge. It was incredible!
Fall is also an exciting time within the ROC community because each October ROC hosts our annual Halloween Hotdog Outreach. Once again this year we hope to give away over 1,000 hotdogs during the Athens Block Party. As always our goal is not to glorify what happens during the Block Party, but rather to meet people where they are and let them know that they are loved by Jesus. Each hotdog will come with a card that explains why they are receiving the hotdog (it’s expression of Jesus’ love) and our contact numbers.
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ROC's Fall Retreat group at New River
Gorge's "Endless Wall" trail. |
As we prepare for the outreach, would you please commit to joining us in praying for the event? If so, please pray for safety for our group, for meaningful connections to be made, and for God to develop the seeds that we plant that evening. Additionally, would please be praying for our students who will be involved in this event. Pray that this would be an event that would stretch them and encourage them to be bold in their faith.
As always, thank you for the important role that you play in our community. I share with the students all the time about the amazing individuals and churches who prayerfully support us. They know that if it wasn’t for the generosity and love of people just like you that ROC couldn’t do the things that make our community a place where people want to come, belong, and grow in their faith.
Many Blessings,
-Dodger
