iRock Ministries

intentionally Reaching Our Community Kids

Khamani Meets Jesus today!

Khamani is one of those lives that was impacted for eternity. As I sat and talked with him in the prayer tent and got to know a little bit about he and his family we had opportunity to talk about Jesus. After sharing what we both knew about Jesus, Khamani, 6 years old, prayed and asked Jesus into his life. That is a life that will be changed for eternity. Many more made that same decision today. In comparison, what God accomplished that day in the lives of people all over Hagerstown made all of the work and efforts of the volunteers seem miniscule.

“I have come so that people may live and that they may enjoy life to the full” John 10:10

Among the many tents, the mounds of groceries, the variety of inflatables, the thousands of hotdogs and the numerous carnival games you find God’s most amazing creation…people! Today Convoy of Hope partnered with local churches and volunteers from the Greater Hagerstown area to bring hope to those who may be struggling financially and spiritually. Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, disaster response and partner resources.

Families received assistance in the way of food, haircuts, access to various community agencies, clothing and shoes. Today people were given hope and help as our honored guests. From medical and dental care to family portraits, people were shown the love of Jesus. It was a time to invest in the lives of others and Rusty and I were privileged to be part of what God was doing today in Hagerstown.

The Kids Zone is perhaps my most favorite area. There is no greater joy than to see the smiles on the faces of parents and children alike as they race from one fun activity to the other. In a world where pressures of life effect even the youngest of children, today they were allowed to just be kids. Whether they were jumping, running, fighting wanna-be pirates or waiting patiently for a balloon animal, kids brought excitement and energy to the festivities.

Many lives will be impacted today, some for a few hours, other for a few weeks and some for eternity.

Galatians 6:10 “Whenever we have opportunity we should do good to everyone.”

Our Family is Growing

Since our last newsletter we have seen some exciting changes in our family.
In April our first grandson arrived. With much anticipation, Nathan Jack came into the world bringing joy and happiness to his parents, Russ and Frances. Needless to say we are very proud  grandparents and anticipate each visit with excitement. Each day Nate grows cuter and stronger. We look forward to teaching him about Jesus

Amongst these major events in our family we have been able to invest in our church families. We have been able to visit and minister at 6 churches, help with 2 Easter services, teach on Mother’s Day, attend 3 missions conferences and conduct 2 training sessions at the NACMC (North American Children’s Ministries Conference) Each gave us opportunity to pour into the lives of children and the people that minister to them on a weekly basis.
Serving as BGMC coordinator for the Potomac District, I was able to help prepare and mail 315 bright yellow Buddy buckets to every church in our district encouraging giving to missions through Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC).

Just recently I was part of a summer long lunch program for low-income families. This week I was able to help as the team served lunch, led a craft and spent time with the kids.
With sculpting balloons and pump in hand, it was with great excitement that I was able to make and teach kids how to twist a variety of balloon sculptures. On the last day I presented each child a balloon cross letting them know that Jesus loves them. Though it may seem like a small act of kindness it is showing the love of Jesus through service and time committed to bringing hope to families.
Now we turn our attention to a summer filled with kids camps. Our first camp is the beginning of July as we prepare for Camp Wannahockalugie, a day camp in Hagerstown, followed by 3 weeks of district kids camp and then a trip to the Sioux reservation in South Dakota to conduct a sports camp, serve meals, share ministry and help as needed with home improvements on the reservation.
Please be in prayer that as we plant and water the seed that God himself will make it grow and that many children will be added to His family this summer.

Camp Wannahockalugie

Wondering where the name came from? Mount Wannahockaloogie is the mystical monument inside the dentist’s office fish tank in Finding Nemo (2003) on which Nemo is initiated into the dentist’s fish tank.
“Nemo, newcomer of orange and white, you have been called forth to the top of Mt. Wannahockaloogie to join in the fraternal bonds of… tankhood.”

Spelled slightly different, Camp Wannahockalugie, won’t be taking place in a fish tank but rather in the West End of Hagerstown MD, July 7th through 10th.

I’ll be working with LIFE House West and NO LIMITZ youth group to conduct a 4 day long camp for the community kids. Arriving at 9:00 am and departing at 5:00 pm each day the campers will be involved in off-site activities such as swimming, karate, a visit to city park and Wacky Water Day. They will also attend daily sessions such as crafts, music, recreation and Bible study. NO LIMITZ youth team will be leading the sessions, acting as chaperones for each group and helping to serve breakfast and lunch each day.

It is the desire of LIFE House West, the host church, that the community will be ministered to through this camp and that this week would be an extension of Jesus’s amazing love.

Join us in prayer that God will be preparing the hearts of the kids that will be attending that they will be open to the gospel and that their families will be touched by the love and the caring spirits of the people that will be ministering to the kids that week. We are expecting eternal change to take place in the lives of kids during Camp Wannahockalugie.