God is moving in St. Louis! (an update)

Posted on by pastordavidturner

God is moving in St. Louis!

The first two weeks of October we held our Grand Opening services for The Rock.  We have met lots of new friends that God drew by His Spirit.  Over those two weeks we had over 30 visitors.  We could sense the presence and power of God, hearts were impact with His word, and we could visibly see a glimpse of the vision God has given us.  There is nothing like being in the center of God’s will and experiencing His hand upon your work.  He gets all the glory!

I remember the sorrow I felt 2 years ago as I stepped down from pastoring in Glendora, CA.  It was, without question, the hardest decision I have ever made.  And yet, now there is a new church in St. Louis working to fill this city with the word of God and great joy.  The sacrifice that our church, my family, and I made was worth it.  I know there is (and will be) greater fruitfulness in Glendora and St. Louis because Jesus is the Head of His church.

A big THANK YOU to those of you who sent us, who believed God with us, prayed for us, and supported us–keep it up!  We need it. 

Much of our walk with God and our partnering with Him to serve others is done by faith.  We don’t get to see the results first.  We have to believe first and then we see the results.  This requires that we add patience (joy-filled, thankful, perseverance) to our faith.  We are just at the beginning of this work of God in St. Louis.  When I say, “we saw a glimpse”, its like seeing the tiny green shoot of a giant oak tree beginning to grow. We have to continue to walk by faith.

The Lord has shown us what the next step in the strategy is as we continue to do outreach and prepare for a great Christmas harvest.  I choose everyday to believe that God has led us, provide for us, and empowered us up to this point and He will continue to do so.  I am convinced He will continue to cause us to increase–not for us but for others and for His glory.

I remember what God told Habakkuk:

Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry (2:2-3).

I encourage you to add patience to your faith.  Whatever God has called you to do, He has promised all of Himself and His resources to help you.  The Lord is with you. His word will not return to Him void.  He will perfect what concerns you.  So don’t give up.  In the end the vision (what He has spoken/shown you) will speak.

St. Louis is a beautiful city full of amazing people–people Jesus loves, purchased with His blood and wants to receive their full inheritance.  So many, however, have not experienced His great love for them nor ever understood the full gospel.  So many have been hurt by religion and turned off from church.  God wants to reveal and restore His purpose for the people and city of St. Louis.

God is using us to convince people of His love and promises; His power and their purpose.  He is using us to bring unity through a diverse, grace-filled community that shows value for every person.  He is using us to tear down spiritual strongholds keeping people from Him and their purpose.  The Lord has called us, along with other churches, to fill St. Louis with the word and with great joy.  We see God multiplying leaders and churches so that every neighborhood has a witness of Christ-light shining in darkness, blessing lifting up the city. In the end the vision will speak!

Please pray for our church and for the people and city of St. Louis.  We are especially seeking God and working hard to reach many during the coming Christmas season.  Among other outreaches, we are collecting presents to give to kids.  Please pray for the strategy, resources and favor we need.  And pray for God to draw people by His Spirit.

If you want to give a present or money towards us purchasing presents, here is some information.  We are seeking presents that are about $10-15 for elementary and high school kids.

1. Online: http://www.gototherock.com

  • Click on “give”
  • Choose “St. Louis English” from the drop down menu
  • Give through “heart for the harvest” (H4TH) to support our Christmas outreach.

2. By mail: send presents or offerings to 7109 Field Ave. St. Louis MO 63116.  Make checks payable to “the rock”. Write “St. Louis H4TH” in the memo to support our Christmas Outreach.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Our Church Granding Opening Is October 2&9

Posted on by pastordavidturner

God is faithful!  

A couple weeks ago we were able to secure an amazing venue to rent for our church services at an affordable price. God did that. The scripture says “The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory comes from God.” We prayed and searched but God provided.  

In the process I ran into a lot of obstacles and discovered a lot about myself. I am thankful that the Lord tests my faith and uses situations to refine my character. The Lord has a way of leading us into things that push us to our limit, exposing areas He wants to work on (like fear, offense, selfishness–to name a few). He has a way of making us honest. Before we had a breakthrough with the venue, I had a breakthrough in my heart. The Lord led me to confess my lack and His faithfulness. As a team, we continued to move forward in faith rather than changing our minds or goals based in sight. The day we secured the facility the Lord led me to 1 Samuel 17 where David declared to the giant, “THIS DAY the Lord will deliver you into my hand….” Faith rose in my heart and I declared, “This day the Lord will give us a place.” Hours later everything came together. Our testimony is: “They got the venue BY FAITH!” And that will continue to be our testimony because He who called us and promised is faithful.

Our Grand Opening
Our Grand Opening is October 2 and 9 at 10am at Moulin (2017 Chouteau Ave. in St. Louis). We are preparing everything now: praying, inviting people, buying lots of equipment, making sure we are ready for kids and adults. We are ensuring that the presence of God is welcomed, people are loved, kids are blessed, the word is preached with anointing, and people are impacted. We are preparing and the Lord will give the victory!

Please pray
Please pray with us for the hearts of men and woman, young and old, to be impacted by the Lord, to come to our Grand Opening, and to come to Jesus, enter discipleship, and be transformed. This is the beginning of a work that will bring restoration to St. Louis. Along with many other amazing churches and ministries, the Lord has called us to start a church that is fruitful and multiplies-that impacts people and empowers them to bring life to others, that fills St. Louis with the word, with discipleship, with many small groups and churches. I see God’s people rising in faith and love to take authority in the spiritual realm and to serve people. Help us prepare by ‘preparing the way of the Lord’ through prayer.  

Spread the word on social media 
If you know anyone who lives in the St. Louis metro area, please let them know about this awesome opportunity to grow and to serve. Invite them to our Grand Opening.  You can also go to http://www.facebook.com/therockstl.  Then like our page and share our Grand Opening post to help spread the word. 

Missions trip to St. Louis 
We have a few friends coming out to help us invite people (by passing out fliers and door hangers on homes) and launch services the first weekend of October. If you are interested in going on a missions trip to St. Louis, please contact us at saintlouis@solidlives.com. 

Thank you for your prayers and support!

  

He will direct your steps

Posted on by pastordavidturner

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

None of us know the future.  When we are honest with ourselves, we need and long for guidance, wisdom, and direction.  If we will acknowledge the Lord with each decision, He promises to provide that needed direction.  When I look back at the past two decades of my life, I am amazed at how Jesus has kept his promise to direct my steps.

When I was 16 God brought a friend into my life to share the gospel with me.  Months later I began leading a bible club and started sensing a pull to give my life to full time ministry, being an agent of healing and empowerment in people’s lives. I was not excited about that pull.  I tried going in a different direction.  Then the Lord spoke, “Shepherd My people.”  I knew He was asking me to serve Him as a senior pastor.  I surrendered.

I never pursued a position but served–painting, cleaning toilets, folding bulletins.  My friends and I prayed a ton and went looking for people to share Jesus with.  The Lord directed me to Life Pacific College and to NewCommunity Church. He brought Dave Metsker into my life to mentor me.  I became a small group apprentice.  I later started leading small groups and outreach teams, and teaching evangelism classes.  I served as an admin, then a youth pastor, then as an assistant pastor, then as a professor at LPC, and then as the senior pastor…all while at the same church!

At each turning point, I acknowledged the Lord and He directed my steps.  Whether it was a question of staying or going to another church, a question of buying or selling a house, a question of accepting a new position or not, a question of starting a masters degree or not, I asked the Lord and He directed my steps.  I can think of dozens of times the Holy Spirit spoke to me or led me.

All the joy I have experienced in ministry, all the blessings in my life, and any impact I’ve made on other people boil down to one common factor: I acknowledge Him, He directed my steps.

As a young senior pastor, I asked the Lord for a certain kind of mentor.  A few weeks later, the Lord said, “Call Jerry Dirmann.”  I did not know who he was except that he pastored in Anaheim.  I did not consider God was answering my prayer.  I called any ways.  The short story is that Jerry and The Rock “just happened” to be the very mentor and ministry I was asking God for.  My heart and ministry have increased because I made that call.
A couple years ago, I was enjoying being a senior pastor; we were experiencing God’s blessings.  I had no desire to move on. Then one night I had a significant dream (rare for me but not the first). In the dream Jesus led Michele and I under the Arch in St. Louis and spoke to me, “This is your city.” Again, the short story is that now I am in St. Louis preparing to start a multiplying congregation of The Rock in the city if St. Louis.  Why!?  Because Jesus is directing my steps.

Years ago he saved me and called me to follow Him.  I have decided He is worth following.  Lord, what’s the next step?

Acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.  Promised.