Mark Darling – Story 144

Joining The Rock was a decision in being devoted to a church. I was wandering around in my Christian Life, and I hadn’t really found a community that I felt was my own. Choosing The Rock as my church has made an impact on me. When I first walked into the Rock I looked at the Preacher(Mark), and from the back of the sanctuary, he appeared to be this huge man in a leather jacket. I REALLY thought he was a pretty big dude from back there, until I walked up to him, and was little surprised to find him later that was not so. Anyways, there was a sense of passion in him, a fire in his soul. His passion, his attitude, his fire was attractive. He does a good job staying on fire for the Lord and putting forth a Christ-like image. Not only that, although I was reading my bible prior to going to the Rock, Mark’s emphasis on quiet times, specifically prayer walking was important, because I’m unsure how much I prayed prior to going to The Rock. I’m still learning how to pray, but that was definitely significant in my life. I liked that Mark talked about “dumping” on God. Giving him all you got because he can take it. I needed that, and I still need that. God can handle us, and he is willing to use us. Mark’s humble beginnings showed how God used his circumstances to cultivate the man he is today. Also, sometimes it may seem because Mark has an intense personality he may have trouble being gentle, but he showed me that he is very forgiving. I had an instance where I had done something bad enough that I felt the need to make it know to my leaders. Whether I needed to or not, Mark showed me grace. I don’t recall any sort “HEY MITCH YOU NEED TO GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER!”. From what, I remember he was very understanding of my frailty as a human. He has impacted me as well as the church as a whole. The Rock church has shown me arguably the best community I have ever seen. The unity amongst the group overall has been great, we have our moments, but overall just a really solid group of people (specifically talking about University House Church), but also the Church as a whole. I don’t know if I will be at the Rock for the rest of my life, but meeting the Mark and the people at the Rock has impacted me and I pray for eternity. The genuine love among my brothers and sisters shows me that we are doing something right, and by the grace of God may we continue in that.  I pray for the Lord to continue to works through the Rock, Mark, the other leaders, and we may all grow in Jesus. Thanks, Mark!

Shared by MK