Why Did RBBC Do the Strong Bonds Mission?

Last weekend, September 2,3, and 4 over 100 volunteers from RBBC assisted the 7th Special Forces Group by caring for children while their parents participated in the U.S. Army's Strong Bonds, a program designed to help marriage and families cope with the very stressful realities of military life, and especially frequent deployments.  What a fantastic display of unity in the body of Christ as Rocky people, young and old, selflessly served these newly arrived families to our community!  268 kids from 150 families were served with great love on Friday night, all day on Saturday, and Sunday morning.  Rynette and I served in the three and four years old room and were greatly blessed and burdened-- blessed to share in this unique mission with so many of our church family, and burdened for the families of the 7th Group.  Having recently moved from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and still experiencing the stresses of moving, many of them will deploy by the end of the year to fight the ongoing war on terror.  So their challenges and needs are obvious. 

Why did we do this?  Why did dozens of our people invest hundreds and hundreds of hours on a holiday weekend to care for Army kids?  Why did we disrupt the flow of our Sunday morning schedule on campus to go to Sandestin?  Here is why: For the glory of God! His Word in 1 Peter 2:12 says, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles (unbelievers) honorable, so that...they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."  Also, in Matthew 5:14-16, these words from Jesus: "You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  So we didn't do it for our own sakes, or even for the reputation of RBBC.  We did it for God's glory!

I thank all who gave their time, energy and resources to provide for this mission of loving care in the name of Jesus!  And Chaplain Mike Smith is deeply grateful, too!  He tells me that the responses of the families were overwhelming those of amazement and gratitude for the care provided their kids.  They could not get over that Rocky people were not being paid for the work.

Please pray for growth of friendships that were begun; for 7th kids who are struggling to adjust to the their recent move; for 7th Group marriages; and for watering and cultivating of gospel seeds planted in children and adults. Yes, the green light was given to speak the gospel during Sunday morning meetings!  Thank God!  And pray for "Remember, Honor, Hope 9.11" on Sept. 11 at 5:30pm.  Chaplain Smith is praying expectantly that many of the 7th Group will attend this special gathering; let's pray along with him.

And dear Rocky family, please be on the alert on Sunday and during the coming weeks.  Some 7th Group families may be visiting our church, and some will not have church backgrounds.  Let us be ready to welcome all of them (and all visitors!) in Jesus' name!

I am grateful to God for all of you!

Pastor Carey