Blog
-
Nov 11, 2019
Stuck - Matt's Story
I got married in 2013. We had big plans: buy a warm inviting home, have a couple of kids, and get involved with church. Yet, not too long after, she began to question her faith in God. One day, she came to the conclusion that she didn't believe. From there, everything our relationship was built on unraveled. She realized this wasn’t the life she wanted anymore. Today, I’m closing in on 3 years since the day she left.
-
May 09, 2019
Kylie Missions Update: April
Hello everyone!
This month was another eye opener of just how AMAZING our God is. He shows us His UNCONDITIONAL love and guidance even when we can’t see it at times. In April, He really helped me grow my relationships here and I was able to see His power once again.
Where to start? Let’s see if I can get this in order!
-
May 05, 2019
Resources for Anger, Lust, & Divorce
Resources for the difficulties of anger, lust, and divorce.
In this passage (Matthew 5:21-32) Jesus calls his disciples to follow him out of anger, lust, and divorce. That's an incrediblly steep calling we cannot face without the even more incredible love of God.
Furthermore, we cannot face these painful circumstances alone. What do we do in the midst of anger, battles with lust, or in the face of divorce? The Gospel reminds us we have all fallen short and Jesus offers us grace. Part of that grace is walking through these things with help.
Below are some resources both interpersonal and informational to support you as you wrestle with these most difficult challenges.
-
Apr 17, 2019
Common Questions About Baptism
WHY BE BAPTIZED?
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION
The first day of marriage is this explosion of celebration we call a wedding. On New Year’s Eve we throw parties across the world. On the day a baby is born, the whole family gathers to hold her, laugh, and cry tears of joy. The reality is: beginnings always call for a powerful welcome.
JESUS COMMANDS IT Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” -
Apr 08, 2019
Kylie Missions Update
Hi everyone!Well, March was definitely a busy month. It didn't go by quite as fast as February which I am okay with. I am having fun here and learning more and more every day. Everyone keeps asking if I'm ready to come home and my answer lately has been "I am having fun here, but home is home for me."
-
Mar 27, 2019
GLOW NIGHT
AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT WITH RISE YOUTH AND EASTHILL STUDENT MINISTRIES!
Last night was a Kingdom night in partnership with East Hill Student Ministries! Moments like this are glimpses of this vision realized. And we aren’t stopping or slowing down until we see this vision become reality in our city for the glory of Jesus! -
Feb 26, 2019
Kylie - Missions Update
On January 6th we reached out our hands and hearts and asked God to bless Kylie Dunlap as she left on a six-month mission trip to Papalote, Mexico to serve a small community, help build, and learn at a local seminary. She has let us know what God is doing in and through her, and we want to share with you. -
Jan 29, 2019
Questions for RISE YOUTH Families
These questions are to help partner with you as you disciple your teenager.
This is a great opportunity for you to connect with your kids over the scriptures!
Each week we've provided you with questions about the week's topic on these questions to prompt conversation with your student(s) in the car or after youth group on another day. We know that the primary place of discipleship is at home so we're sending these questions to equip you to engage your teen about Jesus. -
Nov 17, 2018
Pursuing Jesus Together
We asked Brenda and Don Jacobson to talk about having devotions as a couple and wanted to share their thoughts with you. -
Nov 08, 2018
Dear Gresham
My name is Jason Clarke and I'm the Pastor of Rise City Church. As many of you know, on November 1st our church purchased SkateWorld. As this transaction has come to fruition, there have been lots of discussions, questions, and confusion on social media. Many of you are left feeling confused as to why Gresham is losing this landmark in our community and are looking for answers. My hope in this letter is to answer some of those questions and clear up some of the false narratives.
-
Oct 12, 2018
SkateWorld | The Future Home of Rise
The Story of How SkateWorld Made This Possible
Beautifully, the story of SkateWorld does not end in the rubble of a bulldozed facility, knocked down to become another unused parking lot. Instead, SkateWorld’s community-building legacy will now be multiplied outward by a church that has a vision to love, serve, and build into this city. From our name, to our vision, to our values, Rise City Church is a church that has openly, publicly, and unashamedly declared that we are for our city.
-
Sep 10, 2018
Not Your Father's Call to Baptism
3 reasons why you need to get baptized...
Too often people downplay Baptism as though it's just some religious-y ritual that functionally means nothing. But hold on. . .The act of being baptized is not identifying with some abstract, meaningless, religious idea. No. It's embodying your connection to the King of Reality. Something holy--something other happens at your baptism.
-
Sep 10, 2018
THIS IS WAR | Part 03
Strategic Prayer for Spiritual Warfare
This is my last article in a series on prayer that strategically aims for our faith to become more effective.
And today it’s all about love.
Many of us might already believe that love is more than an emotion, that love is shown in action. We believe that our faith shows itself in our deeds of love.
We therefore might think that love is not something we need to pray for, but that we must do. -
Aug 07, 2018
THIS IS WAR | PART 02
Strategic Prayer for Spiritual Warfare
In my last article I talked about how important it is to pray for the effectiveness of your faith and that of those around you. I also showed an example of such prayer in the small letter to Philemon in the Bible.
This time I would like to look at a slightly longer prayer in the Bible and talk about its meaning in your life.
First the prayer:
Colossians 1:9-11 -
Jul 31, 2018
THIS IS WAR | Part 01
Strategic Prayers for Spiritual Warfare
Peter urges you in his writings, "to abstain from the passions of your flesh, which wage war against your soul.“ (1 Peter 2:11)
There is a war going on. And it starts every morning when you open your eyes (sometimes even in your dreams). It’s real!For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
So, what exactly are these enemies of our soul trying to do?
