Here is the post where we are supposed to update you on what happened this past weekend with Project Outreach. There is only one problem with that. We can’t.

There is no possible way we can fit all the testimonies, experiences, and describe the impact we felt this weekend. Stories are still coming in of how groups went out into the heart of downtown Chicago, shared experiences and the Gospel with those who are unfortunate. I know what you’re thinking…yes, we’ve done this before. Last year we learned about how important it was to come together as a community. But this year, that same community has taken a step forward to become leaders and disciple others with that same lesson.

It’s called growth.

We are overwhelmed to see a generation that has a heart for God, and is actually doing something about it. Yes, we were able to serve over 100+ lunches. Yes, we were able to minister to strangers. But this time, we not only came together as a community, we grew together as one. If you weren’t able to experience this weekend with us, don’t get left behind in your spiritual walk with God. We are all in this together.

So to everyone from Chicago and Tennessee who came out, thanks for not making outreach a project, but a lifestyle.

God bless!

This Saturday is Project Outreach! Join ROC322 and New Creation from Chattanooga, TN as we serve and feed the homeless. Rain or shine, we will be in beautiful downtown Chicago at Millennium Park from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. We will be meeting at “The Bean” and dispersing into groups from there. This is a perfect opportunity to break outside the four walls of the church and to invite your friends into an environment where you can serve people and share the Gospel.

For more information, email us at info@roc322.org or follow us on twitter @ROC322. See you Saturday!

"Hater don't hate; participate"

It’s that time again. It’s our 2nd Annual Project Outreach event, and this time we are partnering up with New Creation Ministries from Chattanooga, TN! We will be going out to Millennium Park in beautiful downtown Chicago to pass out lunches to the homeless. Join us as we serve as a community for Christ!We will be dividing into groups and meeting at “The Bean” sharply at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 3rd. If you would like to be part of a group, help out, and minister with us, join our event page on Facebook or email us at info@roc322.org. Many participants from last year are now leading groups this year so don’t miss out on being a part of our growing community!

Follow us on twitter @roc322 for the latest updates, and check out our video of the epic lunches we are making :)

God bless and see you Labor Day weekend!!

Hey Everyone!

At the beginning of August, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mumbai, India to help out an organization called Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC) with several others from Philly, New York (chicken & rice, holla!!) and New Jersey.  BTC began as a ministry devoted to reaching out to the poorest of the poor and has evolved to rescue and care for sex slaves in the brothels of Mumbai, the children of sex slaves, juveniles roaming the streets, addicts and runaways.  I must say, we went with a mindset ready to bless all those we came in contact with on this trip, but moreover than we could EVER have imagined, we in turn have been the ones blessed.

We had opportunities to talk and work with the children at BTC, some HIV+, many not knowing who their father is, some not aware of their true age, others just thankful to not be on the streets anymore.  My first reaction when I saw these kids was just an amazement at how happy they all were!  It was a happiness I couldn’t understand; their smiles so large and sweet they became contagious… seconds after seeing all of them, we too were smiling!!  I quickly realized that their happiness boiled from within because they were so greatful to have an opportunity to be where they are at right now, and not out on the streets, unaware of their surroundings, or when they’d get to eat their next meal.

We heard testimonies from women who were once taken, or left, from their homes, promised a life of opportunity and hope, yet stripped of all dignity and forced into sexual slavery in Mumbai, India.  By being forced into this “lifestyle” many became scared and had no place to turn for help.  Not knowing who to trust anymore and not wanting to bring shame to their families or themselves, they remained shackeled to their new lives in the Red Light District.  Broken mentally, emotionally, and physically, many of these woman racked up debts that they were unable to pay off.  Many had children born to them by some guy who felt the need for a 5 minute sexual adrenaline rush… never to be seen or heard from ever again, yet these woman were faced with the choice of raising their children on their own, within the Red Light District.

Testimonies from the men began with running away from home hoping to find a better life in the streets, little did any of them realize the hardships they would face, or the atrocities of the life they had chosen at the time.  Consequently, many fell victim to the streets and became heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol.  Begging on the streets throughout the day provided enough money for the drugs and alcohol that they craved, causing many to not even be able to eat or afford proper food.  Living in homes made of cardboard boxes, or tarp hanging over their heads, nearby the railway stations or transit centers, their lives were lost to wandering the streets, and with no education they were unable to obtain jobs to take them out of this poverty and wretched situation.

Yet… God is a JUST God.  God is SO much more of a Father to His children than anyone could ever be, is SO much greater than that guy who walked into the Red Light District as a client, and is SO much greater than any addiction that anyone on these streets had ever had to face.  After talking to many of the men, women, and children at BTC, it is SO clear to see the hope that God had restored in their lives.  The very fact they each of them can truly and genuinely confess that Jesus is their Lord, and He alone has brought them out of their past to take them out of such miseries to provide an open path of redemption and hope, is just AMAZING.

Only God can cause such a transformation in their lives.  How can I possibly say that it’s only God?  Because people always change.  People will always say something great to you in hopes to change you or make you feel better and to help you forget about your past, but there is only ONE person who can allow you to truly forget about your past by knowing that your sins have truly been forgiven… and that is Jesus Christ.  Jesus BECAME sin, and SURRENDERED that sin upon the cross to His FATHER, and according to one of His last sentences on that cross, “It is finished.” – meaning, sin is over, it’s done, it has NO bearing or hold over our lives, and we need to indulge in that fact and move forward in His unconditional Love and Grace.

Jeremiah 33:10-11- ”This is what the LORD says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without men or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither men nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD…’ ”

This verse came to life when I went to Mumbai, society might say that there is no hope or possibility for salvation within those streets of the Red Light District, but I say to you that is completely FALSE.  There IS hope, and there is SO much opportunity to bring that hope of Christ to people there, so that they may know that they no longer have to live in that lifestyle, but they can trust God to take them out of it.

It’s the least we can do with all that God has blessed us with, isn’t it up to us to go out and break the injustice and stop sexual slavery?  to stop the drug and alochol addictions?  to provide for and take care of the many hungry and homeless?

In all honesty, it’s not good to be back… I wish I was there helping in whatever way I can, but it’s up to us to be faithful in what God has already given us, and I truly believe if we align ourselves to Christ and work as a community for Him, He will take us to where He wants us to be, whether to minister on those streets, or not.  God bless!

In His Grace,

Steve

On July 29, 2010 I had the privilege to go into the streets of Chicago to pass out packed lunch bags and spread the love of Jesus Christ to the homeless. In no way am I trying to boast in what I took part in, but I am stating that as a Christian, this is our duty. There are numerous verses in the bible proclaiming Gods love toward the poor and needy. God has such a passion for those who have nothing. We are all blessed! Again in no way am I trying to boast..but every morning I thank God for meeting all of my needs. It because of God I live in a nice home, have my own bed, clothes to wear, food to eat, and a car to drive. God has been so good to us, but yet we still complain for the littlest things. We all need to appreciate the things we have and give God all of the Glory, Honor, and Praise, for he has been so good to us!

It really broke my heart to see all of these people in the streets of Chicago begging for just a bite to eat. My heart was so torn to see thousands of people ignoring these helpless people…walking by them as if they were nothing! Jesus tells us that we are one body in Christ. Everyone….rich, poor, every race, every age, has a rightful role to play in that body. We are all equal in the eyes of God! It was truly a blessing to not only to give lunch to these precious people, but to remind them that Jesus loves them! It was also a blessing to be able to hold their hands..and pray for them. This was just a taste of doing Gods work! There is soooo much we can do..but it is up to us..to take the initiative to reach the loss!

So many people ignore the homeless, partly because they believe there is little they can do to “fix” them. And they are absolutely right. In truth, it is not God’s intention that we “fix” them ..but we must do what we can to empower them…
when you really think about it… every Christian is spiritually homeless. We live in temporary shelters, however modest or extravagant, waiting to take our places in the Lord’s mansion!