Category: General

Last week, two volunteers from The Salvation Army drove up to CTR’s West Doors in a truck. When they walked in and saw boxes and boxes of hygiene donations awaiting delivery, they were in awe. They exclaimed, “We can’t believe this!” “This is just awesome!” What a joy to see the surprise on their faces — and to know that our local homeless shelters and crisis agencies will have a year’s worth of shampoo, diapers, soap, cleaning supplies, and more to care for the people they serve!

Later, one of the drivers called back and left a voicemail, thanking all of you profusely, saying that he knew it took a lot of people to create such a generous amount of donations. He also said that when our staff member Julie showed him the donations, he thought to himself, “This has got to be a joke.” He simply couldn’t believe one organization would give so much. Thank you, Christ The Rock — this is the church loving our community in Jesus’ name!

Here are a few stories from last year’s recipients:

He had nothing. We were able to give him clothing, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razor and a hot lunch. He wanted to be prepared for job searching the next day. He was so happy, but most of all thankful – the tears in his eyes said it all…along with his very emotional “thank you.” – Karen V., The Salvation Army

13-year-old Emma* told me that this was the first time she’d ever owned a stick of deodorant or had tampons that she hadn’t had to steal. She repeatedly thanked me, saying that the supplies meant more to her than I could ever know. – Jillian M., AVAIL Inc. (*Name changed to preserve her privacy)

In tears, the young mother told me that she was afraid of losing her job, and possibly her apartment, if she couldn’t find diapers for her son. After rent, gas, and food, there was no money left for diapers. Day care and would not accept her son without a diaper supply, and she’d have to skip work to care for him. She’d hoped to use the diaper bank, but the hours conflicted with her work schedule. She had come out of a homeless shelter and she didn’t want to go back. Thankfully, I was able to offer her a package of diapers we’d received through The Family’s “Help for the Homeless” drive. Months later, she is still successfully maintaining her own home even though her time is our program is over. Thank you for your help! – Amy L., ADVOCAP

Each year, it’s a thrill to be a host site for the No Regrets men’s conference. This year’s event was on February 1, and the day was full and unforgettable: men and teens taking in top-notch national speakers during the simulcasts, growing as they hear from local pastors and speakers in workshops, and hundreds of men worshiping Jesus Christ wholeheartedly together. And the impact goes beyond just one day – men who know they need support as husbands, fathers, new Christians, or battling an addiction receive follow-up support.

This year, 385 men attended from 30 different churches. Those numbers represent the potential for God to work in many different communities after No Regrets is over, to affect even more lives during the rest of the year. We are thankful to our No Regrets volunteer planning team for their outstanding work living out Proverbs 27:17 . . . “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

We are so thankful for each person who celebrated Christmas at Christ The Rock! What a joy to remember the birth of Jesus, the love that compelled God to come down to be one of us, and the Savior who set us free from sin and reunites us with the Father.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:11

We are filled with gratitude in the aftermath of the Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks to our many food donors, community partners, and 600 volunteers, we served 1,200 meals at The Grand Meridian and delivered another 1,760 meals to people at their homes! Volunteers also brought food to several local emergency and domestic violence shelters that day. And all of it happened at a new location for the first time in over a decade.

This was our first year partnering with The Grand Meridian, and they were wonderful to work with! Earlier in the year, we were informed that our former location was going to be sold. After searching and meeting with possible new venues, The Grand Meridian was chosen. Their willingness to open their doors on a holiday shows their love for our community and we are so thankful for their professionalism and helpfulness as they worked with our volunteer leaders.

This effort couldn’t have happened without another important group of people: our community partners. These local businesses care about the Fox Valley, and we thank: Abel Manufacturing, Brown Family Dentistry, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Fox Communities Credit Union, Hupy & Abraham, JJ Keller Foundation, N & M Transfer, Outlook Graphics, and the Schmidt Family Foundation/US Oil. And we are thankful for the tireless efforts of Bryan, Stacey, Julie and Micah, who oversaw the whole meal. Together we loved our Fox Valley neighbors with a hot meal and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that reflected the love of God.

We are thankful for each person who served as depicted in Matthew 25:35 . . . “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in”.

June 1 is Children’s Day in Romania, and you were part of it! Your generosity and giving to Christ The Rock has an impact on the other side of the world through our mission partnership with REGEN Foundation in Fagaras, Romania. REGEN reaches out to under-served Roma communities in and around the city of Fagaras, sharing the love of Christ and offering homework clubs, children’s activities, and practical help for marginalized families. The hope of life in Christ shines through REGEN in this formerly Communist country.

Children’s Day is just one example of what REGEN does. The kids involved in their homework clubs were invited to a special day that included games, arts and crafts, and a gift for each child. These children deal with adversity on a daily basis: poverty, chaotic family situations, a parent who is an alcoholic, and other challenges. REGEN is a bright spot in their week where they receive help to stay in school, encouragement and love — and they hear about the hope of the Gospel. Your giving makes a tangible difference in these children’s lives.

And right now, we have a long-term worker from Christ The Rock serving with REGEN! Some of you discipled Carly Sebendtsfeldt, and many have supported her 2-year commitment with your prayers and finances. Thank you for your commitment to making the name of Jesus known throughout the world — they joy of these children is just a small glimpse of how heaven rejoices when one of them says yes to Jesus’ gift of salvation!

by Stacey Meyers, Fireside Café manager

When the Fireside Café opened two years ago, our vision was that it would be a welcoming home-away-from-home for our community, and that it would plant seeds for God’s kingdom for people who spend time here. By genuinely caring for every guest, we hope to offer people a small glimpse of the way God loves every person.

It has been so rewarding to see that vision come to fruition since we opened our doors! Here are just two stories of many:

Since last fall, I’ve gotten to know two Café guests who meet here with their children to have a playgroup almost every week. They have been fun to get to know – and it’s been even more fulfilling to see them begin attending our Sept.-May moms’ group, Moms Inc., and connect and grow with Christian moms this winter!

And last month, one of our baristas saw a woman sitting up on the walkway who looked upset and tearful. She took time to sit down and talk with this woman, listen to a little of her story – and then asked if she could pray for her. The woman said yes, and our barista lifted up her situation to the Father in prayer.

These stories, and others like them, are why the Café exists. The amazingly simple concept of a cup of coffee leading to eternal impact is exactly what discipleship means at Fireside Cafe.

On February 2, 426 men from 35+ churches throughout Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan gathered at CTR for No Regrets. This annual one-day men’s conference challenges and encourages men to imitate Jesus’ leadership in their homes, workplaces, friendships and ministries. Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI started No Regrets in 1994, and CTR has been a host site since the late ’90s.

This year’s event featured worship, prayer, six national speakers simulcast from Elmbrook, 11 local speakers, and 25 local sessions on being a godly man, marriage, parenting, restoring mental health, discipleship, as well as sessions just for teens.

Our prayer is that No Regrets is just the beginning of growth for the men who attend. Some of the results of this year’s event were immediate — a few men accepted Jesus as Lord and savior that day! Other results happen all year long, such as attendees who go on to start a Men’s Ministry at their home churches, or use No Regrets seminar recordings in their small groups. We are so grateful to be part of discipling these men, and we can’t wait to see what God does through them as they go back int!

In Matthew 25:36-40, Jesus says that when we care for prisoners, we are caring for Him:
36’I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘LORD, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40″The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

We partner with Fox Valley Jail Ministry, and people from Christ The Rock volunteer in our local jails leading Bible studies, playing our Sunday messages, and praying with men and women who are incarcerated.

But sometimes, ministry to those in jail happens in unexpected ways – and sometimes, those in jail want to give back out of their newfound love for Jesus. A letter was delivered to the church office this month from D.G., who is serving a sentence locally:
I have been incarcerated for 18 months, so you may wonder why I am writing to your church. A friend of mine invited me to attend Christ The Rock a few times in 2011-2012 when I was searching for meaning and a purpose. Sadly, some poor decisions after that led to my present situation – but through another inmate who was a Christian, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. We spent a lot of our time studying the Bible and worshipping. My friend has since been released, but I am 100% convinced that the Lord put him in my life to lead me to true freedom in Jesus. I write because Christ The Rock is the last church I attended, and I recently received a sum of money and want to tithe 10% of it. It is not a lot, but I trust it will be used well. Gratefully, D.G.

What a beautiful sign of repentance, and a changed heart that is living for Christ! Please remember to pray for those who are incarcerated. For justice, for a fresh start when they’re released, and most of all, that they would meet the Savior during their time in prison.