Mark Darling – Story 125

When I first came to the Rock I was very uncertain and hesitant about going to church. I had recently been saved, but I wasn’t really sure what to do—I just felt like I knew that church might be a good next step. I had gone to various churches growing up but was never at one for very long and I don’t remember hearing much about how one should go about living the Christian life. My family was very much a family that attended church on Sunday’s, forced me to attend Wednesday night AWANA/youth group and remembered to prayer before meals type of family and I felt like surely there must be something more to the Christian life than that.

I wasn’t sure what to expect the first night I walked through the doors of the Rock, or if I’d even come back to the Rock, however, I really liked what I heard the first night (and many Friday nights since) I attended—a pastor who is very passionate about his relationship with God, the truth of God and his love for his family (both biological and church). I ducked my way in and out the first few months quietly checking things out before deciding I’d like to stay long-term and becoming involved in a summer Bible study.

As I’ve attended the Rock the last few years I’ve grown to appreciate your boldness in speaking the truth even when it is not popular or convenient to hear. Sometimes the messages hit really close to home—ouch! –but I always grow to appreciate them because I know it is a new way God wants to grow me and I know you speak the truth with love. Although I know I still have a lot of learning and growing to do, I feel I have grown in my faith the last few years thanks, largely in part, to the Rock and you and folks there showing me how to run after God.

The community you foster at the Rock has been great. I’ve been involved in small groups at various churches in the past while growing up (before ultimately leaving the church for a while once moving out of my parents’ home) and none has been like the small groups at the Rock. I appreciate the honesty, even when it is hard and humbling, that the leaders and other small group members display. I appreciate the authenticity and encouragement to keep going. I appreciate seeing you model that from the stage in how you have to fight your flesh often and that you have to constantly rework your heart—that gives me hope that I too can keep fighting my flesh and that I pick myself up and continue to run to God every time I fail.

I frequently listen to podcasts from your website whenever I go walking or on road trips. They have been instrumental in helping me as I seek to learn God’s truth about various topics.

I can’t thank you enough for your influence on the Rock, and my life whether it is from a Friday night sermon, small group, a podcast, etc. While reflecting in preparation to write this, I think my life would look very differently were it not for you and your influence and I thank you for all you do for each and every one of us and that God brought both of us to the Rock.

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