It’s been almost a week since the Rock Run Raiser and I’m still blown away by what a great event it was. If you weren’t able to attend, let me tell you about it. It was a picture perfect day. We had just under 170 participants register (which is amazing for a first year event like this). The whole event was extremely well organized. And having been one of the runners, I will tell you that it was both challenging and fun! It was a “win” for Rock Church at many levels:
1) There was a great mix of church and unchurched people. Those who participate from outside the church (which was the majority) couldn’t say enough good things about the quality of the event and the great people who were working it. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with not-yet-churched people in a very positive way.
2) We had volunteers from all 4 campuses! This was truly a total ministry event. We had over 50 volunteers working the event that day, and many more who were a part of the preparation and organization in advance of the race. Something that was really amazing was to watch the breakdown. The team had the entire course, welcome area, dining tent and outdoor kitchen broken down and cleaned up by early afternoon. It was incredible how people pitched in.
3) We raised thousands of dollars to support mission within, and beyond, our church. Generally, the first year of an event like this, you would be lucky to break even because of all the start up costs. However, we had so many generous people donate items, materials, food and more that we were able to come out ahead on the very first year.
This really was an amazing outreach opportunity and I want to take a moment to thank Heidi Mongeau, who was the visionary behind it all and the incredible team of people who came along side her to make this very large and complicated event possible. In fact, they made it more than possible, they made it excellent!
Now here is what I can’t stop thinking about. Last year, when the idea began to emerge, I never would have dreamed that our church could pull of such a massive undertaking with such a level of quality, excellence and effectiveness. It is truly amazing to me what God can accomplish in, and through, Rock Church when we all work together with a shared vision and a common purpose! When we pool the gifts that God has given, operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m convinced there is nothing we can’t do for the kingdom of God!
I look forward to having us all together in worship this weekend as we continue our new series “Deeper.” This is an incredibly important and timely series for our church. You won’t want to miss a single week.
Don’t forget that tomorrow (Saturday Oct 28th) is Trunk or Treat at our Plaistow campus, and then again on Tuesday Oct 31st in Sandown. Invite your friends and neighbors. Like the Run Raiser, these are also great opportunities for us to connect to the community.
God Bless,
Pastor Steve