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Since becoming the first full-time National Director of Solid Rock Climbers for Christ
at the beginning of this year, many amazing, God-orchestrated things have happened.
I would like to give praise to the Lord by simply sharing some of those with you.
First of all, I give thanks to the Lord for you. Although we can’t quantify this, I know many of you have given witness to a fellow climber as you climbed. Over two hundred of you have taken the time and effort to be part of the 21 Outreaches or Gatherings this year. We have welcomed over a hundred of you as new members of Solid Rock!
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Our Area Contacts have been active this year. The vision of Solid Rock includes leaders on the local level organizing Christian climbers in their area to reach their climbing community. I would especially like to acknowledge the fine work of Mark Allen (Southern California), Tim Kruetzer (Front-Range – Colorado), Roger Kubly (Wisconsin) and Dallas Kloke (Western Washington).
Since one of our desires is to connect you with other Solid Rockers in your area, we had a goal to have a Password-Protected Online Member Directory in place. Thanks be to the Lord for giving insight for this to be accomplished (as well as getting the website updateable!). A wonderful volunteer, Susan Wohletz, is updating the database on a regular basis. (If you are not “on the web,” hard copy of the directories can be requested.)
We give praise to the Lord for providing resources & people for several outreach tools to become available this year. One is the new Solid Rock Outreach T-Shirts. Howard Carey played an important role in designing and getting them printed! Jeremy Higle wrote an apologetic style tract for climbers titled: ‘The Seventh Grade, Every Climbers Quest’ that we have published! Over 60 Annual Donors have received sets of Outreach Business Cards personalized with their contact information. Recently, we have received 1000 logo decals, ready to be shipped out. (See how they look and how you can get one on page 6.)
Our thanks goes to the Lord for the financial gifts that have been given to Solid Rock this year. We have received nearly $10,000 in general funds gifts, gifts in kind and program fees. Here are some of the things we have been able to fund:
Here are a few more things that bring praise to our Lord:
There are two more groups I give praise to the Lord for and say thank-you to: Solid Rock’s Board of Directors and my Support and Prayer Team. Just about a year ago, the BOD (John, Steve, Cody and Jim) stepped out in faith with me, as I became a missionary, raising support through family, friends and church contacts. In March, the BOD authorized Solid Rock’s Treasurer to begin paying a minimum monthly support (presently about 1/3 of full support). Thanks to the generosity of my Support Team, I have been receiving that. Our God is amazing!
The one area I long to give the Lord praise for is knowing a great number of climbers that have came into the Kingdom because of our efforts through Solid Rock. The Lord has allowed us to know of only one who has received His gift of salvation. However, we know we are on the right track because of the way Paul explains the process of salvation in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” With all involved, Solid Rock has had a record-breaking year in the quantity of seeds being planted and watered.
Even with all the good that has been done, we are only beginning. With 400,000 climbers in the USA and Canada, the love and grace of our Lord needs to be shared with many more climbers! Thanks for your continuing efforts in making our combined vision of reaching climbers for Christ happen!
1. Advertising: We advertise in the classified section of Climbing and also on Rockclimbing.com, inviting un-reached climbers to seek out God’s love via the website, phone or mail and encourage Christian climbers to join in the mission.
2. Communication: Printed and mailed three Newsletters and postcard announcements of selected regional events.
3. Outreaches: Covered the supplies for about 10 outreach events and able to buy climbing gear (at a wholesale price) for giveaways at events and online. Here is what we have communicated to over 300 climbers through giveaways: “In a meaningful and practical way, the members of Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ desire to show you the love of God. God offers each person (not just winners of a drawing) salvation through Jesus Christ as a free gift with no strings attached. All you need to do is receive the gift. Simple but not easy!” (Taken from our website)
4. Training: We have produced a Members Handbook that communicates purpose and direction and provides evangelism training. We had 5 conference calls where I have been able to have training and communication with many all at one time.
5. Travel: With Solid Rock covering much of the costs, I have been able to travel to Washington, California, Colorado and the East Coast. Connecting and encouraging Solid Rockers, and leading by example has been very effective.
