Newsletter: June 2023
Make a difference in the lives of struggling teens
At Rock Solid Refuge, it can!
Teens are finding freedom from life controlling issues thanks to God's work through His people.
As a Youth Care Worker, you will be making a difference in the lives of some of Canada's toughest teens.
"These kids are people society doesn't care about; they've been thrown aside. But they matter. They matter a lot."
Youth Care Workers work directly with the students day after day. If the students are not in class, they’re likely with a Youth Care Worker. Mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends, these are the times that Youth Care Workers look after and pour into the lives of teens at Rock Solid Refuge. Without them, this work is impossible.
Youth Care Workers are critical to the students’ lives. They are friends, mentors, authority figures, and so much more.
Read the Stories
The students that you meet at Rock Solid are different than ones that you may encounter at your local youth group, or at Bible camp, or any other ministry. Many of the students here never had the opportunity to be vulnerable. They’ve never lived in a place where they felt like they could trust someone with who they are and with their secrets...
I used to be a volunteer youth pastor. Juggling my time between being a father, and employee, and a youth pastor wasn’t working. I started dropping things. Important things, like devotions and time with my family. I was torn because I wanted to be there for the kids in the youth group, but I needed to provide for my family...
Be a Missionary Right Here in Canada
When you think of missions work, what comes to mind?
I grew up in a home where several siblings have been “overseas” missionaries. Africa, Central America, and South America primarily. When people say “Missions Work”, that’s what I tend to think about; Missionaries leaving Canada to work in second and third-world countries, living life and working alongside the people of those lands, all while teaching about Christ.
A local church has a message posted above the door leading out of its sanctuary. It reads: “You are now entering the mission field.”
What a simple yet powerful message.
When Christ called us to, “Go and make disciples in all the nations of the world,” (Matt. 28:19) He didn’t add “but not to your nation of origin.” Every Christian is called to the work of a missionary, regardless of location or occupation. It’s not something exclusive to an elite class of Christians, it’s an integral part of being a Christian.
God’s call is very distinct in every Christian’s life. We are all ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for the gospel, speaking and discipling people in the faith. Some people, God calls to remain in their places; others to go. But the mandate is that God’s people would go to minister. Go to share the gospel. Go to disciple.
Every Christian is called to be a missionary.
Rock Solid Refuge as a mission
Rock Solid Refuge works with people who are not being reached in the context of their life-controlling issues. We are meeting the needs of families in crisis and youth caught in substance abuse, anger, depression, pornography, and behaviour issues. We are committed to bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to bear on the significant challenges these families and teens are facing.
We recognize that it is difficult to work with our demographic and that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet in Canada. This is why we offer salaries to those who work alongside these young men, so that our missionaries can focus on their relationships with the students rather than worry about finances.
Our remote location in Southwest Saskatchewan means most of the missionaries at Rock Solid have left friends and family to take part in the Kingdom work being done here. They are responding to Christ’s call to evangelism and missions work right here in Canada, with some of Canada’s toughest teens.
The families that have come here have had an enormous impact. They offer a maturity and dedication that is an incredible blessing to this work. Young adults bring energy and passion to the staff group. And those approaching retirement contribute wisdom and guidance that come from a life well lived; theirs is just as great an impact as the 20-somethings who can relate like peers.
Is God stirring your heart and passions for youth and families in crisis? Whether you are a young adult, middle-aged, or silver-haired, He might have a role for you to play here in this work.
Maybe you know someone who could be used by God to disciple the next generation in this place. Please forward this message to anyone who might have a sense of calling to the “mission field” at Rock Solid Refuge.
Thank you for your partnership.
Dallas Block
Executive Director
We hope that this content has been informative and helpful. It is our desire to help families and bring struggling teens back together. We encourage you to share this information with others who may be in need.
Our ministry is primarily funded by our supporters, both individuals and churches, who partner with us to bring about restoration in these young men's lives. To join them in supporting Rock Solid Refuge and our ongoing ministry, please click here to donate!
Thank you for your support.