SRCFC Email Update - Volume 13,  Number 2 (Issue #219)         February 18, 2012

Climbing in Cuba
by Calvin Landrus, SRCFC National Director 

Maikel climbing in Cuba
Maikel, Chapter Coordinator, climbing in Cuba

This weekend, SRCFC Cuban Chapter Coordinator, Maikel Gomez, will be traveling from his home in Sancti Sp�ritus to Havana for the "Annual Competition of Sports Escalation." How do I know this?

 

Maikel communicates regularly and this is what he recently wrote: "En los d�as 17 - 20 de febrero, se celebrara en La Habana, Cuba el encuentro o la Competici�n Anual de Escalada Deportiva, all� participaran alrededor de 40 -50, yo participar� en este evento junto a dos amigos no creyentes que viajar�n conmigo desde Sancti Sp�ritus, Gracias al Se�or en mi iglesia local me obsequiaron varias biblias (Nuevo Testamento) que junto a algunos tratados que C�lvin y Fernando Maldonado me enviaron y espero recibir antes de esta fecha, quiero compartir all� con estos escaladores, amados hermanos quisiera pedirles que oraran por esta actividad, a fin de que su Esp�ritu Santo est� trabajando en estos corazones y para que el Se�or abra puertas espirituales y me de sabidur�a y valor para compartir su Palabra con ellos, partiendo que nuestra misi�n es sembrar la semilla del Evangelio, el crecimiento viene de Dios, a �l sea la gloria y la Honra por siempre."

 

Since I don't know Spanish, how do I know what he is saying? Modern technology gives me easy access to a free translator online. Here is what Maikel wrote me per the translator (please note, grammatical errors have NOT be corrected), "In the days 17 - 20 of February, was celebrated in Havana, Cuba the encounter or the Annual Competition of Sports Escalation, there they participated around 40 -50, I will participate in this event next to two not believing friends that will travel with me from Sancti Sp�ritus, thanks to the Mister in my local church several Bibles they presented me (New Testament) that next to some treaties that C�lvin and Fernando Maldonado sent me and I expect to receive before this date, I want to share there with these climbers, beloved brothers he wanted to ask them that they prayed for this activity, in order to that its Holy Spirit is working in these hearts and so that the Mister open spiritual doors and me of wisdom and value to share its Word with them, leaving that our mission is to sow the seed of the Gospel, the growth comes from God, to Him Be the glory and the Honor by always."

 

As he has requested, please pray for him. And that's just a starting place for prayer for what God is doing in the climbing community in Cuba. Let me back up and give some background to SRCFC in Cuba. In January of 2009, Maikel beame a member using our Spanish Membership page...

 

Read more about how God is at work in Cuba and a possible trip to Cuba in November 2012.

Results - Hitting the Target Assessment

by Calvin Landrus, SRCFC National Director

 

We would like to thank the fifty-seven who completed the "Hitting the Target" Assessment. If taken as a sample of all who are part of SRCFC, we are doing a pretty good job of fulfilling our mission. The only area where greater numbers would be a blessing to have is in the area of new Christ-followers. Below are the results with selected comments shared by those who completed the assessment.

 

Five Assessments and Descriptions

 

Prayer: Have you prayed regularly for the salvation of un-reached climber you know personally?

65% said they pray for climbers on a regular basis with them praying for over 230 climbers. As we all know, everything of significance in God's Kingdom starts with prayer. Today, identify un-reached climbers in your life to pray for!

 

Seeds Sown: Have you climbed or had a meaningful social interaction with an un-reached climber?

75% said they sowed seeds in the lives of climbers and they reported that they sowed seeds into the lives of 262. One of the best comments from this question was, "I'm often teased about my SRCFC gear by my climbing buddies, but they know where my husband and I stand and they respect our Christian beliefs. They see us "walking out our faith" in everything that we do. When given the chance, we speak openly about Christ but never attack another's beliefs."

 

God Talks: Have you as a Christ Follower had friendly open-ended discussion with a climber about his or her personal spiritual beliefs?

65% said they had God Talks. One wrote, "About 15 times or more with different people. I have had ongoing conversations about it with a few of those guys. Pretty awesome. It seems easier to talk with fellow climbers about this than any other subculture/people group that I interact with (musicians, soccer players, etc.)." Another wrote, "Usually it comes down to their personal rebellion against God. I've probably talked with at least 20 people over the past year to differing levels about their spiritual journey and the danger of the path they are on without Christ in their life."

 

New Followers: Has any climber become a new Christ Follower resulting from your witness as a member of SRCFC?

10% had the privilege of harvesting fruit. One shared this story, "A long time climbing partner had asked me about my tattoos multiple times and we just had on-going discussions regarding faith and God. He told me one weekend that he had gone to church and asked God to be his Savior."

 

Climbers in Community: Have you encouraged a new believer or straying believer into a Christian community/church where there is discipleship, accountability and mission?

49% said they brought a climber into Christian community. One wrote, "My best friend and most frequent climbing partner. We hold each other accountable for our walks with God and provide encouragement."

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

 

As stated earlier, these are good results IF they are a representational sample of the over 2000 connected to SRCFC. Only you know if they are for you. Perhaps you didn't report because you lacked participation in our purpose in 2011. Don't let that keep you from our mission in 2012.

 

In John 20:21, Jesus declared, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." (ESV) What was the context of that commission? It was after Jesus had be crucified and His body had been found missing. The disciples, out of fear from the Jews, had locked themselves in. Jesus comes to them and says I am sending you. To do what? Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

 

God has placed the desire for climbing in your heart. He has placed you in a community of climbers where many need to become Christ-followers. You are part of a group of climbers bounded together with the same expressed purpose of doing the real mission of the Christ. Be a great steward over all of that and you will be eagerly ready to fill-out "the 2012 Hitting the Target Assessment!"

 

I close with a thought from Pastor John MacArthur, "Believers who are not committed to winning the lost for Jesus Christ should reexamine their relationship to the Lord and certainly their divine reason for existence. Fellowship, teaching, and praise are not the mission of the Church but are rather the preparation of the Church to fulfill its mission of winning the lost. And just as in athletics, training should never be confused with or substituted for actually competing in the game, which is the reason for all the training."

In This Issue
Climbing in Cuba
Results of Assessment
Championships, Connecting in Colorado
Featured Sponsor - Altus Adventure
Help Bring the Good News to Climbers with Your Giving!
 
 

  

February 23-26

Connecting in Colorado

February 24-26

Gathering at Enchanted Rock, TX

February 26

Matt and Calvin Show, Golden, CO

March 7***

SBUClimbing Comp, Bolivar, MO

March 10:

Texoma Chapter Gathering

at Mineral Wells State Park

March 30-April 1:***

Red Rock Rendezvous

 

*** Designates that SRCFC is participating as a Sponsor
 

Connecting in Colorado Feb 23-26   

     The American Bouldering Series Open National Championship will be held February 24-25 in Colorado Springs. SRCFC sponsored athlete, Matt Fultz, will be competing and SRCFC National Director, Calvin Landrus, will be attending too as a volunteer. This will afford several opportunities to connect and do outreach together along the Front Range.

     Please consider volunteering for the Championship or even just attending to watch these super strong athletes compete. 

     Sunday, February 26th we have the "Matt and Calvin Show", a bouldering and climbing presentation, at the American Mountaineering Center (710 10th ST, Golden) starting at 7:00 pm. This will be open to the public.

See the weekend schedule and RSVP 

     Finally, Calvin has been working with Steve Potter and Derek Branstrom in the planning of this weekend. Both have served as Front-Range Chapter Coordinators but have limited time right now. If you are interested in leading the Front-Range Chapter, please email Calvin at [email protected] so he can schedule a meeting with you while he is in Colorado.

 

Crossfire DVD Available by Mail

Offering a 10-pack for $10 bucks!

Many of you have already received your copy of Crossfire. If you haven't received your free copy yet, please send an email to [email protected] including your current mailing address and we will get it to you right away. NEW OFFER: We are also offering a limited number of 10-packs of the DVDs for $10 bucks.If you would like a pack, a donation of $10 submitted at our giving page will get these to you! Please note your desire for a Crossfire 10-pack. (more info) 

This section allows us to give extra news about our community and/or to give members the opportunity to spread the word about something that is not directly related to SRCFC's mission - items like things for sale, job announcements, etc. Please email [email protected] with your announcements.  Click here to learn more.

 

Heights and Depths of Kyrgyzstan - Summer 2012

Amadeus DeKastle, SRCFC Member, is inviting Solid Rockers to join him in Kyrgyzstan (he lives there) this summer for climbing, caving and caring for others. He writes, "We've been in contact with some people down in the city of Osh (where there was ethnic violence in 2010 and thousands lost their homes in fires) and it seems as though there will definitely be a chance for us to do some reconstruction, or at least some new construction for some poor families there."  (learn more and contact info)

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WARNING!!!!!

Activities described and depicted within this update carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and all other outdoor activities are dangerous. Solid Rock/Climbers for Christ does not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless he or she understands the risks involved, is an expert, has qualified professional instruction, and is willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks.