Walking By Faith (an update)

Posted on by pastordavidturner

“Go…make disciples….” –Matthew 28:19

Hi friends,

If you want to live completely out of your comfort zone, utterly dependent on God’s power, in order to see other people come to Jesus, learn His ways, and be transformed, then I recommend starting a church…in a city…. Or join us!

One day there will be many small groups, church services and discipleship classes happening all over St. Louis where hundreds and even thousands will be set free, healed, delivered, filled with the Spirit, and equipped to impact their neighborhood. Right now, we are laying the foundation, we are planting the seed, for that to happen.  If we don’t, there are countless who will remain in the bondage of the devil and go to hell.  But if we believe God and do His work, lives will be saved, restored, and made solid.  This city will be lifted up and blessed.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”—Galatians 6:9

Right now we are working hard in faith and love:

  • Building lots of relationships.  We are meeting people every week, praying for them, and inviting them.  God is giving  us His genuine love and compassion for people, who really matter to God, created for a future and a hope.  Jesus rightly described people as sheep without a shepherd.  He has sent us to bring His word–His truth to set free, His hope, His power for their lives.
  • Offering 2 bible camps for kids this summer to reach out to neighborhood kids.  It’s totally free with lots of games, crafts, a raffle (bikes and cool stuff), prizes and the simple and power truth from God’s word to kids (if you are in the area its at Carondelet Park in south city on June 25 and July 23 5:30-7pm).
  • Strategizing for our Grand Opening of services this Fall. Our strategic planning meeting is Saturday, July 9.
  • Praying for (and recruiting) 75 team members before the Grand Opening, to have 6 weekly bible studies full of people, to network with thousands of people, and launch church services with over 200 people.

This is impossible! And that is why God has sent us to do it in His power and not our own.  He is looking to show Himself strong on behalf of those who rely on His wisdom, guidance, and favor. He is looking for those who will do what His Spirit is leading them to do.  It may be impossible without God, but with Him and through faith in Him, we can do whatever He has called us to do.  I am more convinced than ever that we are being led by the Lord.  And my faith is being tested at a whole new level.  Praise God He leads us in victory!

And whatever God has called you to do, He promises to be with you and to supply you with all His wisdom, power, favor, anointing, and grace.  Trust the Lord.  Strengthen your faith by flooding your heart with God’s promises from His word.

 

Lastly, would you consider supporting us?

PRAY: We ask that you stand in faith with us, praying for this great city and this church. Pray for laborers, for the word to spread about the church, for kids to come to the bible camps, for people to be drawn to our bible studies and onto our team.  Please pray for God to give us courage, favor, anointing, compassion, wisdom, open doors.

SERVE: If you are called to join us in this ministry, contact us at saintlouis@solidlives.com or 314-332-2454 or come to one of our meetings.

GIVE: If you are called to partner with us through giving, you can give online at www.gototherock.com (click on “Give” and choose our campus, St. Louis). Or you can write a check to “The Rock” and mail it to 6425 Myrlette Ct.; St. Louis, MO 63116. Your gift will help spread the word about the Grand Opening of services this Fall and help us reach and bless more people.

Love and pray for you all!

 

 

 

 

 

The “in between” (an update)

Posted on by pastordavidturner

The past 8 months has flown by. I’ve been serving at The Rock as leader over discipleship. It still humbles me that I get to work alongside such amazing leaders and be a part of something so life changing. It’s been fun and it’s been intense. Operation solid lives is in over 160 churches in the USA, in at least 11 countries, and reaching thousands online. Every week hundreds are being discipled at our church. I serve leaders that are supporting this movement! Every week I receive testimonies of transformation from our church and from around the USA and the world. It’s overwhelming. And we are constantly working to strengthen and expand; we have lots of projects to reach a dozen more nations waiting for OSL, to prepare OSL for translation, to expand our reach online, and more. What’s our biggest need? Leadership! Just like Jesus instructed: pray for laborers.

I’ve been doing a lot of leadership and project management. I’m learning a ton from the leaders of the Rock. I have the privilege of teaching OSL a couple times a week. I’ve seen many receive Jesus, receive physical healing and deliverance. I’ve also had the privilege of preaching a few times at some of our other congregations of the The Rock (there are 13 to date; St. Louis may be #14) and another church. One of my joys is hanging out with some young men who are called to pastor and teach; I’ve been giving the tiny bit I have. Michele is serving with young adults, homeschooling, retaking OSL, preparing our homes to sell, and putting up with me. God is preparing her heart for a great work in St. Louis as well. 

It does feel strange to live “in between”–I let go of pastoring newcommunity (at Jesus’ direction) so that I could start the process of planting churches in St. Louis. A church planting truth: it always takes longer than we expect. I was aware of this before the process began. The past 8 months I have enjoyed serving and learning at the Rock. I also deeply miss the people of newcommunity. I pray often for newcommunity, The Rock, and St. Louis. I am grateful for the new pastors, Barry and Meagan Mulock, and excited to see Jesus continue to build his church through their leadership in Glendora. 

I love this season and yet I know it is an “in between” phase. I feel like a stone in a sling shot being pulled back. God is going to do great things St. Louis; he is going to launch us out. First, the sone has to be pulled back in the sling; first, we prepare. The obvious: learning the culture of the The Rock, building relationships with people, doing research, and praying. The deeper: increasing in evangelistic anointing, growing in leadership skills, and strengthening our family. 

It reminds me of how Barnabas brought Paul (previously called Saul) to a church in Antioch for a year before they were sent to plant churches. Paul was called to plant churches through out the world when he was first saved but he did not get started for many years. It seems this year in Antioch was a major preparation phase. 

Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

What’s next? Our plan is to begin team meetings this September and visit St. Louis in the Fall. We are praying God will draw people to be on our team. We don’t have a move date or a launch date yet but I believe we will know this Fall. Likely 2016 will be a year of moving, building a launch team, reaching people, and launching services. As plans develop, we will keep you up to date. 

Please pray for us and for the people of St. Louis. God loves that city and has a destiny for that city.