Cook-Out at Castlewood Park (from Laura)

Friday was a good night. We had a cookout at Castlewood Park, right across from our house, and then worship back at our pad. It was simply a time to be together and an opportunity for those kids that hadn’t been over yet to see our new digs. A funny thing about our new house is that the youth from our church have been just as excited as we have. Sure, they love us, but it’s more than just that. They see our new home as their new home, our blessing from God as their blessing. One of our kids exclaimed, “Jackpot!” the first time he saw our house. We pray it will be just that for the kids and youth in our neighborhood. It has been a blessing from God to be in a house, to be centrally located across from the park, and to share our new home with Blake. We pray that we won’t hoard or hide that blessing, but that many people will share in it.

We ate and played at Castlewood. There was corn hole, a mean game of ultimate frisbee, football and talking. Lisa and Clinton bought us Sonny’s and the food was really good. Our new next-door neighbors have a few grandchildren who live with them that are youth age and they came with us. Youth playing ball at the park came to the edge of our circle, took drinks we offered them, and observed our rag tag group. We really are a sight to see. I wonder how we look to outsiders sometimes. I imagine we look like a crazy, adopted family. You know, when you tilt your head and think, “How do those people know each other?” All we have in common is Jesus. Over 30 kids came, and quite a few we met for the first time. Of course, our old regulars were there too.

After the eating and the playing we went back to our house. John, Blake and I…along with 18 youth….walked on over. John played his guitar and we sang loudly. We lit candles, and burned incense. It creates a worshipful attitude, but mostly it helped to disrupt the sweaty, youth smell that enveloped our house. And in true Rock Youth tradition, we had a short dance party to close our time. I guess our time was typical enough with the kids, but it was extraordinary to me. It was powerful to be together, to play, to eat, to sing and to dance. God has woven very different, broken people into a community of faith that is alive and vibrant. God is with us. You can see him, hear him, and even smell him among us.

I love my job...

Cristian, one our youth, decided that he wanted to throw a surprise birthday party for his little sister, Lisette. He asked Laura and I about doing it at the church. We said that was fine...so Laura did some decorating, Melissa got some drinks and snacks, we invited some of her friends, and Cristian's mom got the cake.

It was so awesome. There's something sweet about birthday parties. We've thrown quite a few since we've been at The Rock and each time I'm reminded that being the church means much more than getting together on Sunday mornings. Part of being a Christian means that you get to have this huge family called the Church. As you can see in the pictures, there were people from all different countries and backgrounds at her party. We had no other reason to be together except for our common bond in Christ.

more on after-school program

Yesterday we had 15 youth at our after-school program. That amazes me. They all know that when they come they have to either work on homework or read a book quietly. Yet, they all come anyway. Most of them actually get out their work and get started on their own.

Sunday at church one of my friends said to me, "Don't underestimate the value of just being together."

That's true -- there is this trend in youth ministry, and in churches as a whole, to always do something big...
to be the sleekest...
most efficient...
the coolest...
to do something completely radical and different...
to spend lots of money...
to have huge events...concerts...rallies...

In our efforts to draw people in and keep them entertained, it seems like we often forget about the people. We don't have time to just be together because we are planning for the next big event or we're so strapped/stressed at the programs or events that we have no time or energy to spend with any of the people. At youth group on Wednesdays, I will sometimes get so caught up in all the details of the night that I forget to spend time with the youth. That's no good.

Our after-school program is shaping up to be pretty simple...yet our kids don't seem to care about that. Simple things are usually the best. They show up...we spend time together while eating a snack...then we help the youth with their homework.

Since the relationships are most important...we need people who are willing to come and be with our kids. Just sit with them while they work and help them if they need it. Very simple. Yet powerful stuff. If you want to get involved, let me know.
john.gallaher@gmail.com

After-School Program

So we started an after-school program at our church. It is for elementary thru high school aged kids. There are 12 elementary school kids signed up and then the middle school and high is more of a drop-in kind of deal. We've have about 8-10 youth-aged kids that are coming. Many of our kids can't find much peace at home. It's hard for them to get their school work done and many of their parents either don't care about their school work or don't have the capabilities to help them. Many of our kids are from other countries and their parents can't speak English well...and certainly can't read and write in English. That makes it very hard to help with them with their homework. So, every day of the week the kids can come to church and do their homework and get help if they need it.

Most of our kids just love being at church. At church, they know they are wanted and loved. The church has become a family for many kids in our community...a refuge as well.
Now, they can come to church 6 out of 7 days a week. That's awesome.

Birthday Party

So Laura and Amanda through an incredible birthday party on Monday. Who's birthday was it???
So glad you asked...it was mine...and Burto's. We had the party at Castlewood Park, which is in our hood.

We invited the youth, children, friends, and family. There were probably close to 50 people that came! It was such a great mix of people. Americans, Hispanics, Africans, African Americans...

We played some soccer that night and at one point, Hughes, a Congolese friend, suggested we play Congo vs. America. Some of the youth seemed to think that was racist. Well, it certainly was unfair, but not racist...=). Lets just say that the Americans didn't win.

My party at Castlewood felt more like church than most things we do at church. It's sad that is what church has come to. I guess it's also encouraging though -- Christians really don't need anything. We already have all that we need. Church can happen at a park, at a house, in a parking lot...it doesn't matter!

Something has got to change. We have massive church buildings all over the country with hardly anyone in them. A huge portion of the money goes into maintaining old buildings and administrative costs and little goes to ministry. If we already have all that we need and people are the church, then we may need to rethink what we're doing.

One of the best things we do during the summers at The Rock is eat lunch and play kickball in our back parking lot. The food is free from God's Pantry and kickball costs nothing (except about $8 for a good ball). Everyone gets to play no matter your age, abilities, talents...none of that matters. We include everyone and let the youngest kick first. The kids learn about looking out for the weaker ones, encouraging each other, having good attitudes, exercise, the list could go on...

And it's all free...Jesus work is usually pretty inexpensive. And if it isn't, God provides through those who have resources. We've raised a few thousand dollars for camp this summer -- all because of the generosity of others.

It's all pretty simple.

small beginnings...

When Laura and I started here there were only a couple of Sunday School classes and none for the youth. So, with the leadership of Blake, Amanda, and Laura, we started a class for the youth. We knew it would take time to grow...we only had a couple of kids at the beginning. There were actually weeks when only one kid showed up! However, we stuck with it and invested in that small group. With time, it began to grow. More kids started coming...more started sticking around for the service afterward.

Last Sunday, we counted 13 youth at church on Sunday morning! Now, that's significant for many reasons...one being that none of their parents come to church. So, they all want to be at church on Sunday morning!

Roz pointed out a scripture passage that is relevant here.
Zechariah 4:10: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."

Here, God is speaking about the rebuilding of the Temple. I believe these words are true today as well. Often, we try to start something important, and hardly anyone shows up at the beginning, so we just scrap it all together. Our first retreat, we had only 3 kids show up. We had 4 adults - more adults than youth! Now, it would have made sense to cancel it...but we stuck with it and we had 24 total people on our last retreat!

Small beginnings shouldn't discourage us...this work takes time.

Tuesday/Thursday Lunch and Kickball

We started up our Tuesday/Thursday lunch and kickball last week. Every Tues and Thurs during the summer Melissa (the children's pastor) and prepare a free lunch from God's Pantry's summer feeding program, have a short devotional, and then play kickball. Last summer we did it and it was so successful. Last Thursday, only our second day, we had 27 people out back playing kickball in our junky parking lot!

There's a difference this summer...we have more leaders. Some of the youth are showing up early just to help set up. We have less adults helping this summer, but it's ok, because the youth are stepping up.