1. He is the most passionate guy I think I’ve ever met.
2. He does not seem to really care about his approval ratings.
3. He has a father’s heart.
4. By not trying to be cool…he’s cool.
[HT: Mark Driscoll]
Laura Gerlicher (top right) is in Israel. She wrote me an email, apologizing for a delay in replying because she was “in Samaria all weekend”. I chuckled and then went quiet for a moment…wow.
Once you read her interview below, you should really take a few minutes and check out her travel blog and online photo album to see, in part, some of her incredible experiences studying in Israel.
As with all the lives that will be highlighted in this series, RockSolid in no way claims to have “produced” such remarkable young people, but we do count it a privilege to have served them in some small way, knowing for all of us, it is truly only by grace alone that lives get lived for the Glory of Jesus and His Cross.
Enjoy. And thanks Laura - May the Lord bless you and KEEP you…
Shalom.
How did you hear about RS?
I heard about RockSolid from a dear friend Matt Jones. Though a few conversations with Matt regarding his experience and watching the transformation that took place in the aftermath of the camp showed me that Christ’s power was present and at work in the ministry of RockSolid. Where Christ is magnified, present, and moving is where I desire to be. So, I decided to check it out.
What was your experience like at RS?
My experience at RockSolid was wonderful, to put it quite simply. Not only was the Lord able to help me process through several circumstances and trials I found myself wrestling with at the time, it equipped me and prepared me for all that I have faced over the last few months. Please note that RockSolid was not all fun and games; it was challenging, draining, and at times even overwhelming. I remember sitting down on my bed Sunday evening after a day of intense lectures, crying out, “Lord! I don’t know if I can do this!” However, in being stretched out of my comfort zone of nominal Christianity, the Lord has granted me greater endurance and a heart that is continuing to seek after Him with everything that is within me.
How has RS helped you in your relationship with the Lord?
This last summer, I was coming off of a very physically and emotionally draining year off at school. My week spent at RS really helped me refocus and gain the drive to pull through for the Lord’s sake, not mine. I was so encouraged and blessed with the powerful and effective Christian leaders; the Lord very much spoke to me through them and inspired me through their simply obedience to savoring Christ and living solely for His infinite glory. Now that I have that I have seen that non-nominal Christianity powerfully at work, lived out by the RS staff and many of the campers, I cannot help but pursue it wholeheartedly for the sake of my King.
How has RS helped you in your preparation for college/ministry?
Again, one of the greatest things that I gained was the example of the leadership in RS. They continuously pointed us to Christ and the power of His cross. As I prepare to enter ministry after college, Lord willing, I know that the only way that I personally will be able to affect change in people’s lives is by pointing only to the life and redeeming work of my Lord and Savior. That seems so obvious but is so difficult to find people that live it as well as teach and preach it. May the motto of “that men might not see me but Christ in me and Him crucified” become a defining reality for each of us.
What challenged you the most?
Oh, goodness. What didn’t challenge me? What has continued to challenge me even into this school year is the age long question of application: “What do I now do with what I have learned?” The massive intake of information over the course of those 8 days sometimes felt overwhelming: “How am I ever going to retain all of this information?” “Lord, help me apply every iota of this in a way that pleases You!” It’s so easy to allow life to go on and not live in light of a dawning truth! I will say that I am very thankful for the sermon outlines and “the notebook” so that I can continue coming back to all that we learned.
What’s your favorite RS memory?
This might sound more on the unspiritual side… I would have to say one of my favorite memories was trying to wash what seemed like a gallon of chocolate syrup out of my left ear and hair from under a freezing cold water hose. Nasty.
Would you recommend RS to other 16-20 year olds? (why/why not)
I very highly recommend the camp to those who desire to spend a week growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, dying to sin and dying to self. Those who come with a willing and open heart will not be disappointed.
Any fellow RS alumni you would like to give a special message too here?
To all my fellow RS alumni: “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in all knowledge and depth of insight. That you may be able to discern what is best and may remain pure and blameless until the day of Christ- filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ Jesus, to the glory and praise of God the Father.” (Phil 1:9-11)
Keep fighting the good fight, my friends!
Don’t miss out on the audio or video or written content (take your pick) they have made available on their website, from their recent 2008 National Conference.
DesiringGod.org is the home of “God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper“. A wealth of resources, sermons, articles, conference audio/video, books, Q & A - you name it… and most of all it’s FREE. You can purchase Piper’s books or order sermons series or conference sets - but you can almost always read it or watch it online for free. Stunning.
So take the time - rearrange your evenings this week - get your homework done, not so you can watch the Monday Night Football game on ESPN, or the MLB playoffs, or the new Survivor…but so you can feast on the sermons and content of the conference just completed on the theme of “The Power of Words and the Wonder of God“.
Feast this week on “rock solid” teaching (couldn’t resist) and enlarge your hunger and passion for Jesus and the Word of God…you’ll be convicted, challenged, and laugh some too (Mark Driscoll was there - the guy’s funny at times…).
All the video from the conference is now online:
I’m starting a new “Catching Up With RS Alumni” series here on the blog that I hope will help share a little of the fruit and impact that RockSolid is having on lives, and in addition, the impact those lives are making wherever the Lord leads them (and there are some pretty cool places! Stay tuned…).
Our first Alumni to catch up with has earned this spot - after all, Matt Jones has been to RockSolid the last 3 years in a row! Matt is now enrolled at Wheaton College.
I interviewed Matt about his RS experiences and what impact RS has made on him.  Enjoy, and be sure and leave Matt a comment here on the RS blog!
How many times have you attended RockSolid? (what years?)
RS 2006, RS 2007, RS 2008
Are you trying to set a record??
Haven’t I already!?! I was told there would be a cash prize…
How has RS helped you in your relationship with the Lord?
Rocksolid has become an integral part of my testimony. It revolutionized my way of thinking about God and my relationship with Him, and it showed me (as opposed to simply telling me) what it truly means to live as a Christian. I cannot emphasize enough how huge an impact Rocksolid had on my Christian walk.
How has RS helped you in your preparation for college?
It gave me a new perspective on how I wanted to spend my college years. I’d always just seen myself as going to college to have fun for four years so I could get a well paying job and live comfortably. Now I’m considering missions in eastern Asia. Bit of a difference! College is now about growing intensely in my faith as I prepare to go out and impact the world for “Christ and His Kingdom” (my school’s motto, haha…go Wheaton!)
What challenged you the most?
Actually seeing the leaders and counselors living what they taught. The fact that they were so filled by God’s Word (and humble about it!), so knowledgeable and dedicated, yet also hilarious, awesome and normal!! I think I’d given up on there being people like that in the world, and it really inspired me to to strive for such a consumed yet accessible life.
What’s your favorite RS memory?
Endless ping-pong, Tank Wars, graduation…so many more! I think one that will stick for a long, long time actually took place two months after RS 2007 ended. Some friends I’d made there invited me up to go bear hunting in the remote central WA wilderness (I think it was a cruel joke at first). It ended being one of the most awesome things I’ve ever done. Seven days of intense fellowship can really create some incredible friendships.
Would you recommend RS to other 16-20 year olds? (why/why not)
Without any doubt, yes. Three years in a row, Rock Solid has been a phenomenal and basically indispensable part of my life. God works in awesome and powerful ways every camp! Come here no matter the cost!! There is no price tag big enough to match how much this awesome week is worth.
Any fellow RS alumni you would like to give a special message too here?
Andrew Eichler (Itchybear): Get facebook! Also, come visit Wheaton. Now.
Everyone else: Come to Wheaton too!!
Thanks, Matt! We’re excited to see where and how the LORD leads you from here. For His Glory!