SRCFC Email Update - Volume 13,  Number 6 (Issue #223)         May 15, 2012
If It Doesn't Break Heart, It Isn't Love
Reflections on Spring Thing

by Calvin Landrus

 

If it doesn't break, if it doesn't break, if it doesn't break

If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love

No, if it doesn't break your heart, it's not enough

It's when you're breaking down with your insides coming out

That's when you find out what your heart is made of

(by Switchfoot, in Yet from Hello Hurricane)

 

As I slumped down to the floor, half from being exhausted and half from being overwhelmed with emotion by the love I felt for the community of climbers I'm part of here in Central Oregon. I had spent all of Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday out at Smith Rock interacting with a couple hundred climbers that were part of the Spring Thing. We had worked together in making the crag we enjoy a better place. In that consuming moment during a special Sunday evening concert at my church, I was sensing how much so many of them are missing out by not knowing Jesus as their Savior. Tears flowed, followed by prayers of salvation for many of them.

 

Although I will never have the complete and overwhelming perspective that Jesus had, I shared much of the journey He had as recorded in Matthew 9:35-37. It's recorded this way in The Message: "Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd."

 

Mary and Calvin at Spring Thing Registration
ary and Calvin at Spring Thing Registration

My "circuit" was a weekend that included fifteen Solid Rockers ministering to about two hundred climbers. We had two Solid Rockers being project leaders and several more working on the projects alongside of climbers. Many of those involved prepared and served them an awesome burrito meal. Mary's cooking is always so good and her team of preparers and servers always do a great job. And Rick Krause (SRCFC Board Member) and I had a great time at our outreach booth during the evening festivities where we had several spiritual conversations and had thirty-five enter SR's gear-giveaway. Then on Sunday morning, the Smith Rock Group (the Spring Thing's board) had a sweet time of camaraderie as we did final clean-up.

 

I love climbers. Climbers have been part of my life since I learned to climb 34 years ago. Most climbers don't give the impression that they are "confused and aimless" because climbing can temporarily give a strong sense of purpose and satisfaction. But most are still "sheep with no shepherd." So, my heart is often broken. And my prayers and hopes reflect what Jesus went on to say in Matthew in the next verse (9:38), "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"

 

In a lot of ways, I really didn't want to be at that concert. But I'm glad I was. It gave me a moment away from the busyness of life to cause me to reflect why I do what I do. And a chance to affirm my commitment to outreach work to climbers and know that after all these years, my heart still breaks. I give thanks to the Lord for that!

Rockfest Reports 

 

A Summary and a Perspective

 

Rockfest Summary

by MidAtlantic Chapter Coordinator, Kristin Anderson

 

Saturday, April 21st turned out to be a gorgeous day, despite forecasts of impending storms. Around 60 climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from Maryland, Virginia, DC, and Pennsylvania gathered to work on various trail improvement and clean-up projects at Rocks State Park in Maryland. Solid Rock Climbers for Christ volunteers split up and worked on various projects all day, coming back together to serve dinner to all the volunteers who chose to stick around. Highlights from Rockfest 2012:

- The Lord provided many hard-working and motivated volunteers to serve and love climbers and be stewards of God's awesome creation.

- Trail projects were challenging and interesting - great organization and support from MACC (Mid-Atlantic Climbers) and the park rangers.

- Many conversations were started and connections formed through simply being present at the event and representing SRCFC in the climbing community.

- A long-time Christian climber was introduced to SRCFC for the first time.

- Logistics worked out well; the food was abundant and YUMMY!

- The rain came down in sheets... just after the last of the event supplies were cleaned and packed away in the van (a specific answer to prayer- praise God!)

- Rockfest volunteers continued great conversation around a fire Saturday evening in the pavilion as darkness set in and the rain came down around us... how often do we just sit still and visit with others, free from technology to entertain us?

- One of the event organizers shared a story with me about her positive experiences with SRCFC across the nation... from Idaho to Virginia!  

- Multiple years of involvement with Rockfest (and other events) has given SRCFC continued favor and exposure in the region, therefore opening doors for continued relationship building and sharing the love of Christ and His message of salvation.

 

A Volunteer's Perspective

by SRCFC Volunteer, Steve Berneheisel

 

I had the opportunity to help Solid Rock and Mid-Atlantic Climbers at Rockfest on April 21st at Rock State Park in Jarrettsville, Maryland. I helped out last year, but this year was different.

 

This year, Kristin gave me a Solid Rock t-shirt. As I put it on, I felt like I was clothing myself with the presence of Christ. Yes, I know it was just a t-shirt, but symbolically, it meant more to me. Romans 13:14 says, "clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." By putting on this t-shirt, I felt a bond with my brothers and sisters in Christ who were there. I felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to not only serve the climbers but also have the confidence to talk to non-believers about Jesus. This was confidence that I haven't felt before. Some people asked me what Solid Rock was all about and I was excited to tell them that we are here to spread the Good News about Jesus to the climbing community. I know that if I wasn't wearing that t-shirt, those conversations wouldn't have happened.

 

I know that our friends were praying for us. One specific prayer was for the weather. The forecast called for thunderstorms throughout the day, but the day turned out to be perfect. As evening approached, the sky became threatening. So, we packed up our stuff and got everything into the van. As soon as the last box was loaded, it started to pour on us. I found out later, that a friend prayed a specific prayer that we would accomplish our mission and put everything away without getting wet. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Indeed!

 

We were there to serve and I enjoyed every minute of it. I wish it could have lasted even longer. I was humbled by the experience and I truly appreciate all the work that Solid Rockers did to make this event an enormous success! I want to thank Kristin and Solid Rock for this opportunity! I can't wait for the next time that I can wear the t-shirt to serve Christ and climbers!

 

See Pictures
In This Issue
It Isn't Love
Rockfests Reports
Day of Prayer Summary, Climbing DTS
Featured Sponsor - Sierra Mountaineering
Help Bring the Good News to Climbers with Your Giving!
 
 

 

June 30:

15th Annual Prayer Peaks

July 11-15: ***

International Climbers Festival,

Lander, WY

September 24-30:

2012 National Conference at City of Rocks

In conjunction with the Idaho Mountain Festival***

 Idaho Mountain Festival

 

 Submit Event for Calendar  

*** Designates that SRCFC is participating as a Sponsor 

 

 

 

 

 

   

SRCFC's 10th Annual International Day of Prayer for Climbers Summary

We had sixty-eight people pray during SRCFC's 10th Annual International Day of Prayer for Climbers on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012. They prayed for over 160 climbers by name, for the climbing community and SRCFC's effectiveness in helping Christian climbers do outreach work. This happened the same day as the American National Day of Prayer, which had the theme of "One Nation Under God."  Obviously, we are from many nations but in a sense, the climbing community is "one nation."   Our climbing "founding fathers" embraced worshipping the creation rather than the Creator building a legacy without a Christian presence. The group also prayed that "blessed is the climber whose God is not themselves or the terra firma they climb but is the LORD." (Psalm 33:12) Please continue the work that was started by praying for this and for the climbers in your life to come to Christ.

 

Possible Climbing Discipleship Training School in New Zealand

The Oxford Base of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is considering having a Climbing DTS starting in the fall. The leadership (Joshua Fry at joshfry@gmail.com) is describing it this way, "it's all about taking our passion for climbing and dedicating it back to God who makes it all possible in the first place. We do this by taking five months of our lives out to learn more about Him so that we can then make Him known in power and without fear. Climbers come...read more.

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 info@srcfc.org with your announcements.  Click here to learn more.

 

Writing Ministry Opportunity

Do you have a story to tell? Have you had an exciting adventure that has spoken to you in a special way? Have your experiences provided you some insight into how your outdoor pursuit has brought you closer to God or spurred you along in your journey of faith? As the Editor of Shout! Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine (www.shoutlifestyle.com), Matt Evans... read more

 

Free Climbing and Urbanclimber Issues

Thanks to SRCFC's advertising with Climbing and Urbanclimber, we receive a bulk order of five copies of each issue. They are available for free on a first come, first serve basis. Please request you one issue, mailed free of charge,... read more 

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Editor of Updates
  
Calvin Landrus
SRCFC Director
 
 
 
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Donation Information 
If you would like to support the mission of Solid Rock with your financial resources, please send your donation to: SRCFC National Office, PO BOX 9831, Bend, OR 97708-9831.  Visit Donate or Order for a response form to mail or email, and info on how to pay with check, credit card or PayPal.  Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ is a California tax exempt, religious, non-profit corporation organized in accordance with IRS Sec. 501(c) (3).  All donations in excess of the fair market of the goods and services you received (if any) are deductible. 
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.