We spoke with two pastors in the days immediately preceding the August 8 event. Here’s what they had to say:
Danny Lorentzen, pastor of Rock Church Quad Cities, believes this event will help his congregation to continue its fast-paced growth: “We know we’re going to grow – we are gearing up for that and I think this will serve as a catalyst and give us a boost.”
Rob Willey, pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport, Iowa, is “excited to see how Rock the River will bear itself out in the weeks, months and years to come. I think the pre-event discipleship training will yield the most fruit in the long term for our communities.”
Across the region, pastors have begun to collaborate in new ways. “This is a unique situation,” says Willey. “No other event has had the backing of the BGEA, with its standards of excellence and biblical conviction. That is another catalyst that has brought us together.”
According to Willey, some of the older pastors “who have been around for 25-30 years almost come to tears when they hear about how many churches are supporting this and participating. Something like 218 churches are promoting it and encouraging people to go.”
The Word is Spreading
The youth at Willey’s church are “totally excited” and have been inviting their friends and spreading the word.
“Hearing about the previous events in Baton Rouge and St. Louis has helped grow the excitement,” Willey adds. “We have announced Rock the River in our church for the umpteenth time and the people break out into applause every time. There is a good deal of excitement.”
Willey’s youngest daughter is 13. “She is coming because her favorite band will be there,” says her dad. “There is a contingent of youth who follow these bands. I do think it is a good mechanism to get their attention and to begin to open their hearts to hear the Gospel message, which is the reason for it all in the first place.”
Youth in the Quad Cities struggle with similar issues as the rest of the nation, says Willey: peer pressure, premarital sex, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, drinking. “Sometimes, we’re just not aware of those things, because of the separation of cities. It goes on even in upper socio-economic levels, although it’s more hidden.
“That is another reason we are hopeful this will be a shot in the arm and maybe even a push for the church to ignite our passion for souls of the younger generation,” Willey adds.
A Passion for Youth
Over at Danny Lorentzen’s Rock Church, reaching young people is a passion. “I’ll be 50 in September, so I’m old in our church!” jokes the pastor. “The average age of people who attend our church is 28. We are always working to reach the younger culture, ministering to around 600 or 700 people a week.”
Approximately 52 young people went through the FM419 evangelism training for Rock the River. “We plan to have Rock Church people all over the grounds!” says Lorentzen.
He thinks Rock the River will be “very effective in terms of reaching our youth, but keeping them in the church is going to be the challenge.”
Lorentzen says he “knows young people are going make decisions this Saturday. I know God will give us favor and good things are going to happen, but they need to be able to connect with a church where they feel comfortable, with a style of worship they will enjoy.
“Where is the church going to be in 20 years if we don’t start holding on to our youth?” Lorentzen wonders. “What Franklin Graham has going on here is a God thing. This kind of worship – music is part of the appeal.”
OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT ROCK THE RIVER:
Meet the Artists Who Will Rock Quad Cities »
Teens Pray for Move of God in Quad Cities »
Complete Coverage from St. Louis »
Complete Coverage from Baton Rouge »
Social Networking Rocks »
