Garth

Dec 06 2016

Night of Hope

On the eve of November 4^th Pastor Terry, and myself (Garth) had a unique opportunity to partner with a church for their “Night of Hope”. The goal was to impart HOPE into the folks that attended and the community at large. Looking at our nation’s present state, and the hate that seems to be swarming around; this night had God ordained timing.

It was a night that was filled with hope. The night started with worship. Which in turn made me think of 2 Chronicles 20. Here in scripture Jehoshaphat has worshipers go before the army as they are marching into battle. If you have grown up in the church or attended it for very long, I am sure that you have heard this comparison before. That the worship was done to lift the Lord high. That then, when the Lord of Host is lifted high He brings His people to victory. Those in attendance that night worshiped as though they were going to war with principalities of the enemy. We were settling for hope and nothing less.

The night moved from worship to short messages starting with the Pastor sharing that the hope we desire can only be found in Christ. That if anyone wanted to know what genuine hope was they should meet the Lord that night. Pastor Terry was in her element of using an object lesson. She drove home the thought that hope sustains Gods people; without hope man cannot live long. I had the chance to express that the “Night of Hope” was not just a social gathering, but a night for hope to take root. Just before being led in a rendition of Amazing Grace everyone was invited to lift up a pray during a candle light service. Regardless if that be a situation, a person, or just a heartache of life to the Father, it was a great moment to reflect on the goodness of God and place it at His feet.

The night was a full of laughter and I’m sure the Lord chuckled as much as we did. It was also a night that hope flooded every part of our lives. A defining moment occured as the night drew to an end. Everyone made their way outside with a prayer written down to burn as an offering before Lord. Those in attendance prayed independently and corporately. As we made our way back in to the hallways of the church I was able to witness one of the greatest things a church can do. They entered into fellowship. They shared life, laughter, and good cups of coffee. To me that is one of the most defining representations of hope.

Oct 10 2016

A Stone of iRock – Part 2

It was such a full summer, it became necessary to break this post in to two parts. Here you can find A Stone of iRock – Part 1 if you missed that earlier.

The following week the team moved a little north to Refreshing Mountain in Stevens, Pennsylvania to work at Ability Tree. We took on the organized recreational activities of the camp. The theme was Olympic Victory, and it was gold for sure. The greatest moment of the week was at the end. A camper with Cerebral Palsy asked me what was my take away from the week. With her genuine question I started to tear up a bit. I responded by saying that the diversity of campers and staff was a testimony to the greatness of God we serve. The unity in such diversity at so many levels I truly feel brings the most glory to the Lord of Host.

She shared that in her personal life “No,” is not an answer she will accept at any level. Along with her genuine heart and amazing talent of writing songs and music; other campers’ giftings stood out as well. They had this ability to push us as staff to go outside of our own comforts. Helping us understand that we need to engage with the world around us even when we are different. We should find the simple ordinary things in life to be excited about. Most of all the campers at Ability Tree taught us to smile and laugh. That without those two things you cannot truly enjoy life.

Coming to the end of the summer I am super happy to have been part of it all. A bit of a side note; if you are reading this and have even the slightest thought of being a student team member you should shoot Terry an email. It is a great opportunity to see the hand of God at work in people’s lives. It is truly missionary work and the work of a missionary is never done until they go home to meet their Master. So please continue to pray for iRock Ministries and thanks for letting me share my experience with you.

May the blessings and the peace of Christ be with you all!

Aug 02 2016

A Stone of iRock – Part 1

garth I came to join the iRock Ministry team on the week of the July the 11th. From then to present date it has been a great journey. Terry asked each summer student to take sometime out of our schedule to let the world know what we have experienced. In truth, there is too much to list in a single blog post. However, I’ll do my best to highlight a couple things that have been super impactful for me personally thus far.

My second week here at iRock, we served at the Potomac District Camp. For those that do not know it is affiliated with the Assembly of God denomination. Yet, it was very welcoming to a little Mennonite like myself. The camp staff was awesome group of people to work alongside in every sense of the phrase. They welcomed the iRock team right in and had such a passion of sharing the Lord with the campers. It was a week full of worship, teaching, and play. Its was clear to see in the camper’s day to day activities regardless if that was walking into the Chapel for service and out to the fields to play.

Witnessing the kids press inasmuch as they did to seek the Lord’s face for their personal lives was incredible. The camp had different ways for the campers to engage with the Lord; at the Response Stations or at the Altar Calls to just name a couple. The camp as a whole had this understanding that the Lord was going to be there to speak with these campers. And OOooh did He. Many of kids felt prompted of the Holy Spirit to share what He was speaking into their hearts. The verse in Matthew that talks of youngsters uttering praise was clear to see happening before my very eyes. Something I think we should all witness and experience in our walk of faith. Read more