 where we’ve been
11 years ago, God called less than 100 people out of the comfort and familiarity of a dynamic mega-church to give birth to a new community in costa mesa. suddenly, college students were arriving at sunrise to set-up for Sunday services, businessmen and soccer moms were becoming ministers, families were praying together for a disconnected generation to be engaged by the message of God’s love.
the rush for this adventurous community was in getting to be the church – not just attend it. it was clear church was experienced best when we were in living it, not simply watching it happen. ROCKHARBOR had been marked by a heart of passionate involvement.
in the midst of this movement, we began to recognize the importance of having chances to serve and sacrifice for everyone that walked through our doors. it became clear that our young church shined when everyone had a part to play.
where we’re headed
today, this is still true of our growing church – ministry belongs in the hands of our people. but more than ever before, God is aiming us outward – in investing the best we bring beyond ourselves to a world that desperately needs to see His love and life on display. the call is clear – to give ourselves away. to be challenged and changed by investing our best outward. to believe that the more we risk, the more we are transformed to be like Jesus.
take a look around. look beyond yourself. what do you see?
- poor and wounded people in our own counties in need of a simple meal...clothes...and even shelter.
- new followers of Jesus in countries all around the world, with the desire to share the love they have found, but without partners in training and lacking support through resources.
- a generation who is passionate to know, serve and follow Jesus, but are stuck not knowing how to get started.
- a world that has not experienced the loving revolution of the genuine Christ.
God has prepared us to enter in to those needs.
looking back, we see that he has gifted ROCKHARBOR in huge ways. we are a church rich with finances, experience, and innovation. but the best of what He has given is you – a community of passionate and devoted followers of Jesus. leaders. artists. volunteers. teachers. entrepreneurs. moms. dads. college students.
ROCKHARBOR, together God is inviting us to invest our lives and gifts beyond our interests – and into a Kingdom that’s advancing, into a world that’s in need.
God is calling us out... to give ourselves away.
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we live in a "me-first" culture. we seek a comfortable life with a nice home, new cars, trendy clothes, a blackberry and the latest iPod.
the "me" culture has invaded the american church as well. we want this teacher with that worship leader. the lights should be dim, but not too dim. we want goldfish crackers instead of cheez-its in our children’s program.
but as followers of Jesus, we crave something more. we are called to something deeper. we are desperate for a transforming relationship with Jesus. a relationship that defeats our "me-first" attitudes. a relationship that opens our eyes to those in need and moves our heart to action on their behalf.
how do we reconcile this relationship and life that we yearn for, a life that we are called to, with the culture we live in?
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this life is not about us. God is calling us to live a life of sacrifice - one that is modeled after Jesus. we are called to love even our enemies, to care for those in need, to prefer others and embrace selflessness at all costs. the call of Christ is to give ourselves away – we are blessed to be a blessing – in ways that will challenge and change us.
what does it look like to give yourself away?
- to give generously. give the best of what you have.
- to give humbly. ask for nothing in return and allowing God to take the spotlight.
- to give radically. be counter-cultural. give beyond what’s comfortable.
 God is calling ROCKHARBOR to give itself away. this vision demands action...participation...movement.
We've focused the last 2-1/2 years on learning to give ourselves away in several key directions:
He is calling us to give, together, with a directed plan for the resources that ROCKHARBOR has been entrusted.
We grow through ROCKHARBOR’s training school: RHU
And, we go through many REACH partnerships impacting southern california and the world.
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 by the world’s standards, each of us lives a privileged lifestyle...rich compared to most. we have the unique opportunity to give generously out of what we have been given.
in many ways and together with you, ROCKHARBOR has already given generously. we are currently supporting daily ministry within our own community, local ministry partnerships throughout orange county, and global initiatives impacting the world. last year was no exception and in fact, we were witness to financial giving that exceeded our hopes.
:: 2007-08 budget recap ::
| total income: |
$7,021,753 |
| expenses: |
$7,008,713 |
| surplus: |
$13,014 |
we believe that God will continue to call ROCKHARBOR to humble, generous, and radical financial giving over the next year.
:: 2008-09 budget re-forecast ::
| total budgeted income: |
$6,700,000 |
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:: first fruits ::
included in our operating budget is first fruits: the first portion of what we receive. ROCKHARBOR will give 10% of our annual operating budget to outside organizations or individuals in need, including para-church organizations, churches, local and global outreach organizations and missionaries, students with scholarship needs, and people who need financial assistance. this means that approximately $670,000 right off the top of our operating budget will be given away.
this leaves a projected surplus that we are hoping will further fuel the outward initiatives that God is calling us into this year and beyond.
:: find out more ::
to find out more info about this year’s budget contact
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or the first fruits ministry, contact
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RHU: ROCKHARBOR’s ministry training school:
we recognize that this vision to give ourselves away, needs a plan. it isn’t enough to just paint a picture of where we think God wants us to go. we have to provide paths for people to get trained so they can get going. for ROCKHARBOR this comes in the form of a training initiative to equip people for ministry.
from teaching foundational theology to developing practical ministry skills, RHU is training for the sake of the world.
through month-long Intensives, one-day topical forums and other avenues, RHU provides tangible ways to equip us to better love, serve and reach the world around us.
this year, RHU will focus on intensives and forums:
:: find out more ::
click here to find out more about RHU and to see each month's schedule.
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