On a very special Sunday, Pastor Miles McPherson reminded the Rock Church that "To whom much is given, much is required." The enthusiastic congregation responded with praise, prayer and commitment.
But Pastor Miles wasn't speaking to a congregation gathered at Liberty Station. The day was February 27, 2000, and 3,364 people were packed into Montezuma Hall on the campus of San Diego State University.
Fast-forward 10 years. Who would have imagined in 10 years the group would grow into a church of 13,000, worship in a 216,000-square-foot church building, and serve the community with 90-plus ministries?
Pastor Miles invites the Rock family to answer three questions as they consider what God wants them to do in the next 10 years. More info >>
On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Pastor Miles, his staff, and the Rock Church family gathered to praise God for His blessings, and acknowledge what He has done. And we looked forward to what might happen if we commit the next 10 years to Him.
Watch the Rock Church 10th Anniversary Sunday Message: Click here.
"To whom much is given, much is required," Pastor Miles reminded the Rock family in front of a massive time line projected on the screen behind him. "This is not about me, or anybody else. It's about Jesus -- say JESUS -- and what He has done."
Dream Big!
Then Pastor Miles challenged the congregation to remember Ephesians 3:20. (Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...) "What if you did something big for the next 10 years? Ask, what does God want to do in your life beyond what you can imagine? Fill in this blank, in 10 years, God can _____. Dream big!"
Ten years is a long time, he said, but it goes by fast!
That was evident as the church recalled its first decade. The tenth-anniversary worship service included a video of the first years of the Rock Church. We remembered the church starting at SDSU, moving 33 times, worshipping at the Ruffin Road facilities. We watched Building 94 at the old Naval Training Center be transformed, rebar by rebar, cement block by cement block, until opening day, August 26, 2007.
Pastor Miles recalled some of the high points of the Rock's first decade. (See bottom of page for more.)
- February 27, 2000: Opening at SDSU. A ministry fair consisting of a few tables (in contrast to the present 100-plus tables!). See pictures
- February 15, 2001: Pastor Miles meeting with Horizon Pastor Mike MacIntosh, who told him about a big empty building at NTC, and Miles feeling "God was going to use it."
- NP3 fundraising, with $14.2 million pledged and $17 million received. (NP3 Celebration Sunday was November 16, 2003.) http://www.rocknp3.org/
- Benjamin Cashman, the Rock's charming "financial consultant" whose wife was named Penny. (Clips of Benjamin Kashman's monthly reports were shown, to everyone's amusement.)
- The CUP hearing August 26, 2004. The city's Planning Commission unanimously approved the Rock's Conditional Use Permit application, making 2277 Rosecrans St. our home. See pictures
- Ruffin Road: First Sunday at the temporary Ruffin Road church facilities in Serra Mesa was November 21, 2004. See pictures
- August 21, 2007: Ribbon cutting ceremony to begin work on 2277 Rosecrans St. The Corky McMillan Company, from whom we bought Building 94, surprising Pastor Miles at the ribbon cutting with a check for $1 million. See pictures
- August 26, 2007: First worship service in Liberty Station! See pictures
- October 2007: Two months later, wildfires burned through San Diego County, and the Rock Church responded, using its new facilities as an evacuation and supply center. See pictures
Rock Time Capsule
Jesus told His disciples that if we believe in Him, we will do even greater works than He did. Yet, His children always limit Him, Pastor Miles said. "We don't really live as if we believe His promises." Miles challenged us to each take a moment to consider the next 10 years. What is God telling us to do? Become a mentor? Go on a missions trip? Become a missionary? Start a business?
Miles asked everyone in the Rock family to record their answers to these questions.
- What if I make a faith-based commitment?
(Describe who you want to be in 10 years.) - What if I challenge others to fulfill a faith-based commitment?
(Describe what your disciples should be doing in 10 years.) - What if Jesus comes back before 10 years is up, what would I tell those left behind? (Your legacy will speak volumes.)
The answers whether written down or taped or videotaped -- will be included in a Rock Church 10th Anniversary Time Capsule. The time capsule will be sealed and preserved in a ceremony later this year and opened in 2020. Click here to find out more.
Growth at 400 Percent
Pastor Miles didn't just remember what God had done in, for, and through the Rock Church during the last 10 years. If the Rock grows in the next 10 years at the same rate of 400%, here's what it would look like.
- From 3,000 attendees to 52,000 attendees
- From 615K volunteer hours/year to 2.46 hours (valued at $10 million)
- From 1 staff to multiple staffs
- From 1 location/1 continent to 21 locations/7 continent
- Also, 26 Do Something Festivals
With that vision in mind, the Rock is asking its family to "Step back and ask God to show you what He wants you to do," Pastor Miles said.
"Let this be a point in your life when you evaluate who you are.... Don't let the devil get you into a rut of the status quo. Amen?"
Other dates in Rock history:
- February 2002: Rock Academy opens its doors to students.
- November 14, 2004: Last Sunday at San Diego State. See pictures
- March 27, 2005: Easter Sunday at SDSU Cox Arena. See pictures
- October 22, 2005: Groundbreaking Ceremony. See pictures
- December 5, 2005: Demolition begins for Bldg 94. See pictures
- April 16, 2006: Another Easter Sunday at SDSU Cox Arena. See pictures
- October 4, 2006: Last steel beam in the new building signed by staffers. See pictures
- November 4, 2006: NP3 Block Party. See pictures
- August 24, 2008: One-year anniversary at Liberty Station. See pictures
- March 8, 2009: Rock Church DO Something Day in San Diego. See pictures
- April 12, 2009: Record Easter Services. See pictures
- June 20, 2009: DO Something Clean Up Balboa Park. See pictures
- October 5, 2009: DO Something San Diego Clean Up. See pictures
- December 13, 2009: 13th annual Toys for Joy event. See pictures
