iRock Ministries

intentionally Reaching Our Community Kids

Kids Experience Eurasia!

It’s always such a privilege to serve alongside Mark and Holly Brantley and the Eurasia Experience. Teaching the kids this past week at Cornerstone Church in Bowie was my third opportunity to share God’s word dressed in a Burka. It doesn’t seem to matter how foreign the country or unusual the culture, God’s word is still the same and His message doesn’t change.

Whenever I’m able to serve alongside Eurasia Experience and share my message with the kids I’m emphasizing the importance of pointing others to Jesus. John the Baptist was conceived for this very purpose and his entire life was dedicated to pointing people to the savior. As believers our purpose is the same as John the Baptist. God wants us to point those who don’t know Jesus to His arms of forgiveness.

Who are you pointing to Jesus?

Speaking about Jesus, John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matt 3:11

KidzFest brings in the Harvest!

“Well, howdy folks. It’s so nice of you to come to help bring in the harvest. We have allot to do before the cold weather sets in. I suppose we should start with the corn, then we can move to the potatoes and last but not least the pumpkins. There’s a harvest that needs to be brought in as the impending cold weather approaches. It’s a good thing I have Fearless Fran to help,” says Harvestor Harriet.

Although Fearless Fran made out to be tough and that she wasn’t afraid of any situation we soon found out that she needed more help than she let on and that’s where all the kids came in. They helped teach Fran about courage and in the process they learned that the greatest courage they could show was when they made a commitment to follow Jesus and to ask for forgiveness that only Jesus can give.

For three evenings the kids learned that courage comes from knowing God and asking Him to help in difficult situations. They learned that true courage is being able to stand up for what they believe is right even when other people don’t agree and that courage gives them hope and a future through knowing and relying on Jesus.

50 people, children and adults, had the courage during those three evenings to ask Jesus into their lives and to show them the way to true joy and happiness through a relationship with Him. Ohio Valley Christian Center’s fellowship in Wheeling WV had brought in a harvest that yielded new members into the family of God.

The three evenings ended with a time of celebration as the kids enjoyed, food, inflatables, games and candy. What an evening of rejoicing it was but nothing compared to the rejoicing in heaven over the people that made decisions to follow Jesus.

Job 33:28 “He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.”

Ministry birthed out of tragedy!

On September 25, 2011 a group of five went back to their community struck by a flood almost three months ago. 33 people lost their lives as a result of that tragic event. Many others lost all of their belongings including Oning and Nene. Immediately following the flood Oning and Nene moved to another location to avoid any future disaster. They have tried to sell or rent what was left of their home but to no avail.

Although many lost their belongings, the souls of many had been given another chance. Oning and Nene saw this as an opportunity to expand the kindgom of God and a new ministry location was birthed.

September 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm a ministry started on the same property where Oning and Nene lost everything. In partnership with iRock ministres USA and by the power of Jesus the ministry was launched.

The kids were very excited to attend the service. Even though the scheduled time was 2:00 pm, they kept coming early and checking if it was 2:00 pm yet. That was so cute and quite funny since they had their own clocks to tell them what time it was but they were just so anxious to be part of what had been planned especially for them.

Kids starting coming and filling the small area. There were no chairs and the kids sat on the floor, under the shelves and anywhere they could find a place. Even when all available space had been occupied they kept coming until they were overflowing (Glory to Jesus) and had to stand outside.

It was hot and humid in that small space but the kids didn’t complain. Oning started a small electric fan but it did little to counteract the heat and the sweat.

Not even the heat and humidity could stop the kids from worshipping Jesus as they sang song of praise to Jesus.

They were taught a scripture verse, John 8:12. “Jesus said I am the Light of the world, whoever follow me will never walk in darkness but will have the “Light of life”. Through object lessons, memory work and stories, 61 children and one adult came to realize how their heart was darkened by sin and accepted Jesus as their Light of life. We give glory to God for working in hearts that day.

It seems that no service is complete until there is food so true to tradition each child was served popcorn, orange juice and a small bread roll. As they gave thanks it was so meaningful because that might have been the only food they received that day.

As followers of Jesus, let us continue to pray that the Light  planted in their heart will shine to other people and that they will become a torch bringer, the bringer of testimony that Jesus is the Light of their life.

NOTE: Pastor Oning and Nene are a young couple that iRock Ministries has helped throughout the years as they follow God’s direction for their life. They are an extension of iRock Ministries here in the United States and refer to their ministry as iRock Philippines. As the missionary behind iRock Ministries, I am committed to building a team and helping them see their dream of a ministry center in the Philippines fulfilled. If you would like to know more about this center, as the dream becomes a reality, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Through our updates you will be given opportunity to partner with us through your prayers and finances. Keep this project in prayer as we seek God for His Holy and divine direction.

One Week to change a Nation!

White Mountain Apache reservation will never be the same! Why? Because 26 people from 4 different churches and 3 states converged in Phoenix to serve the people in and around Whiteriver. The goal was simple; reach the people with the love of Jesus. This goal was three-fold; Mega Sports Camp for the children, a work project to benefit a resident of the reservation and community outreach events to reach children in the outlying areas.

This team consisted of 13 adults and 13 children between the ages of 8 and 16. After spending 8 days with this group of people, I’m convinced that not only was it God led but the team was also hand picked by God. Everyone was focused and driven to complete whatever task was before them. From sunrise to sunset the team gave all they had to impact this community.

Children built relationships with the team as they played together and shared their lives with each other through sports camp and huddle groups. Friendships were forged and at the end of the week many children gave their lives to Jesus.

In the afternoon the team personalized the work project as they took the vision of the children’s minister and applied it to the children’s building. From one end of the building to the other they organized, labeled, constructed a puppet stage and puppet rack, painted ceilings, floors and murals on the wall, scrubbed floors, replaced a toilet, tore out the rotting kitchen sink and counter, replacing it with a utility sink, hung new window treatments and by the end of the 3 days of renovation the building had been transformed.

Evenings took us to the street where we were able to share the message of Jesus in fun and relevant ways and then distributed the Book of Hope to each and every one there.

Lives were changed that week. Children like Tatiyana who received hope as she prayed with the team on Sunday evening. Or Titus that stood on the side lines and wouldn’t join the fun until different people on the team became friends with him. He was accepted and loved unconditionally. There were at least 35 children that made decisions to follow Jesus that week.

An organized and refreshed children’s building provided the encouragement needed for an overwhelmed and tired children’s ministry leader to regain her passion for teaching the children.

And the team members themselves were changed as their flames were turned up a notch and they found a renewed desire to push forward in their own ministries at home.

I stand amazed at how much God can do in the lives of people in such a short period of time. Removed from cell phone signal, Facebook, twitter, and emails the team was able to connect with God and with other people in very special ways.

If you would like to be part of a team in the future, send me a message and I’ll inform you of upcoming trips. But, only send me a message if you are ready for a life changing experience!!

Wannahocka what?

There are children all across the United States that need a personal relationship with Jesus. You don’t have to look far to find them. The easiest place is in your own neighborhood. Partnering with a host of volunteers from Hilltop Christian Fellowship we spent months planning in preparation for a week long camp.

The camp name? Camp Wannahockalugie. Our theme? W.H.A.L.E. of an Adventure. The main characters? Lou Lou and The Big Kahuna. The focus of our week? Jesus. We were taking 48 children from the Clear Spring MD area on an adventure to discover their purpose as the learned to worship, honor, adore, love and evangelize the name of Jesus.

Each day The Big Kahuna went fishing for the WHALE but only caught letters. Taking a look at each letter, Lou Lou helped Big Kahuna realize that God is his provider and creator and is worthy of our praise and honor. Then and only then do we become true fishers of men and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Living for Jesus is truly an adventure and each day we should discover more about ourselves and about Jesus. Daily adventures through music, crafts, play and Bible teaching brought each camper closer to knowing Jesus and forming a friendship that would last for eternity.  The camp staff was phenomenal and it was a privilege to serve alongside such an amazing team. They shared the love of Jesus with the kids each day as they played, prayed, served and cared for each and every one. By the end of the week there were numerous kids that had developed a relationship with Jesus and had made a decision to follow Him.

Camp has a wonderful way of helping both staff and campers discover their potential for serving Jesus. My prayer is that they will each find their place in the body of believers and strive to serve Jesus in their unique and special ways. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has planned for Hilltop Christian Fellowship and the Clear Spring community.