Happy post-Valentine’s day from the ROC Community. It isn’t often that this holiday falls on a Wednesday, so when it does, we try and take advantage of it at Crosswalk. Last night we celebrated with sugar cookies, Rice Krispie treats, and Valentine’s balloon games. More importantly it gave us the opportunity to discuss how true love is actually a reflection of the character and nature of God. God gave us the example of Jesus to see what this looks like in action. Then He gives us communities, like ROC, to learn how to demonstrate this same type of love to others.
It’s been a whirlwind of activities and events since we started back up last month. We’ve been busy with events like our annual Super Bowl party, Winterjam (a Christian concert that travels around the US each year), Crosswalks, Bible Studies, and more! Many of our students also had the opportunity to serve at Ohio Valley Christian Assembly for their annual Jr / Sr High retreat. ROC students helped lead worship, facilitated small group discussions, and helped the camp pull together another amazing retreat. I had the privilege of speaking there on Friday night and then leading a breakout session the following day. Josh also shared co-Dean responsibilities with former ROC intern turned youth minister Evan Lynch.
I love that our community is built around serving others as Jesus did. Another example of that is this weekend students from both campuses (OU and Rio) are coming together to help build a wheelchair ramp for a lady from our area. I’m greatly appreciative of our friend, and current ROC Board Member, Chris Blank of Edgemont Home Construction, who helps lead these builds. By my count this is our 4th such build in less than a couple years.
Speaking of ROC students serving, I’m excited that 2 of our young ladies (both current ROC Leaders) have been offered an internship serving with Crossroads Missions New Orleans this summer. Jaela Young and Victoria Crawford both interviewed for one open position, but the Crossroads NOLA crew was so impressed with them both they offered each one a spot. Please join me in praying for these young ladies as they allow God to lead them this summer and beyond!
As I mentioned in my last article, for the first time ever (to my knowledge) ROC will be splitting the community to serve on 2 different mission fields next month. I will be leading a team back to Piedras Negras Mexico and Josh from our ROC Rio Campus will lead a team to Western Kentucky to help with the tornado recovery. Please be in prayer for our teams!
Finally, I want to once again mention ROC’s 50@50 campaign. As you’ve likely noticed over the course of the past 7 months we’ve been highlighting ROC Alum and staff from ROC’s long rich history. The purpose of this is twofold, first to highlight God’s faithfulness and all that He has accomplished in almost 5 decades since ROC began. But secondly, to bring awareness to the need to identify and connect with new ROC prayer partners and financial supporters that will help establish ROC Rio as a permanent fixture to the campus in Gallia county, and lead the ministry as a whole into another 50 years of service to students. If you know of anyone who might be interested, would you help us connect with them or share our contact information with them? Maybe it’s a former alum, current parent, church group, or just someone who loves seeing college students come to know Jesus?
Blessings,
-Dodger