Rick Stedman – Family
Rick has been
married to Amy for 24 years and has 3 children: Micah (21), Noah(19) and Jesse (18).
Rick Stedman – Bios
Rick Stedman is the founding Pastor of Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, California, so named because they believe that knowing God is life’s greatest adventure! He has graduate degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry from San Jose Christian College, Fuller Theological Seminary, the Claremont Graduate School and completed his doctorate degree at Azusa Pacific University. His book, Your Single Treasure, has helped thousands of single adults learn the positive side of single sexuality. His 2nd book “31 Reasons to Believe God Exists” has been published locally with great success and he hopes to be published nationally in the future. His 3rd book is based on the Armor of God from Ephesians 6, and is called “How to Protect Those You Love,” and shows how to put the armor of God on ourselves and those we love and learn to pray with power. [The book has been published for in-house use only and is to be published nationwide in 2015.] Rick Stedman is a nationally known speaker and author, and has appeared on TV and radio, including James dobson's "Focus on the Family" radio program. Rick Stedman loves to read, to laugh, to fix things in his garage, and to hang out with his wife and three kids. He loves humor, applying the Bible to daily life, and explaining how Christianity is both exciting and reasonable, and loving people one at a time.
Rick Stedman - Education
May 23, 1980 – San Jose Bible College (Bachelor of Arts)
June 12, 1982 –
Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Theology (Master of Arts)
May 13, 1989 –
Claremont Graduate School (Master in Philosophy)
December 13, 2002
– Azusa Pacific University (Doctorate of Ministry)
Rick Stedman - Ordination
November 6, 1983
– Ordained by the First Christian Church in Thousand Oaks, California
Rick Stedman - Professional Experience
1993 - Present: Founding
and Senior Pastor of Adventure Christian Church
in Roseville, California.
1987 - 1993: Pastor of Administration and Singles at Crossroads Christian
Church in Corona, CA.
1990-1991: Part-time Instructor of
Philosophy at California State University,
San Bernardino.
1983-1987: Associate Pastor at First
Christian Church in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Rick Stedman - Professional Memberships/Boards
Board of Trustees Member, San Jose Christian College/William
Jessup University
(2003-2007;1994-2000)Rick Stedman - Academic Honors
2005 NACC Special Achievement Award (for excellence in
church leadership)
Donald McGavran Church Planting Award, 1998
(In recognition of his innovation and exemplary church
planting leadership as the founding pastor of Adventure Christian Church)
Alumnus of the Decade
1980’s - San Jose Christian College.
Valedictorian – Pleasant Hill High School, 1976
Rick Stedman - Books published
2012
– How to Protect Those You Love – Published for in-house use only.
(To be published nationwide in
2015).
Book Synopsis:
Would you like to protect yourself and
those you love from the forces of evil in this world? The Bible
is clear: this world is a spiritual
battle zone, which puts those we love at risk, every single day.
every time our kids go off to school; the enemy attacks them. As our loved ones go to work, evil forces try to destroy them. Our marriages, families, friendships,
churches and nations are all under
constant siege. The enemy is relentless
and tireless, and human defenses are no match
for his dark devices. What can we do to
protect those we love? In this book,
Pastor Rick Stedman shares the
solution: we can put the armor of God on
ourselves and on those we love every
day, through prayer! By praying the
armor of God, we learn how to pray with power and successfully fight against the forces of evil. This book offers a brand new, easy to
remember method to help us pray
effectively for those we love.
Endorsements:
1) “Praying on the armor of God has never been
so practical. Rick Stedman has provided
for us a simple way to bring God’s
protective power into the lives of the people we love.” [Dave Butts, Chairman America’s National Prayer
committee]
2) “I often say, ‘The hardest thing about the
Christian life is that it is so Daily.’
As a seasoned pastor,
faithful disciple and outstanding communicator, Rick Stedman has written this practical and relevant guide for DAILY
victory. Christ’s sufficient provision
of spiritual armor is available to
every believer. This book makes is
readily applicable to your heart and your home, seven days a week.”
[Daniel Henderson, President, Strategic Renewal]
2011 – 31 Reasons to Believe God Exists – Published for in-house use only.
[To be published nationwide in
?].
Book Synopsis:
Atheists and theists hold many beliefs
and values in common: the ethical
treatment of animals, concern for the
environment, love of art and music, the belief that child abuse is wrong, and a respect for the scientific
method, to mention just a few. But have
you ever considered that these common
beliefs and values relate to the question of God’s existence? In this book I discuss 31 such topics that
are clues—real, verifiable facts— that
thoughtful people ought to
consider. If you care about truth and evidence, I hereby encourage you to begin this one month invitation for thinking
people. These 31short chapters are simply intended to stimulate thought, provoke discussion and
introduce different ways of
looking at issues that many hold in
common in our culture. Taken together and honestly considered, I
believe the collective weight of these
chapters leans toward the eventual
conclusion that God, indeed, does
exist.
Endorsements:
1)
“The fraction of the American people that are atheists remains
tiny. However, several of the more outspoken
contemporary atheists have recently become media darlings. Thus there is a need for fresh approaches to
the fact that ultimately nothing makes sense apart from a belief in the
sovereign God of the universe. Rick Stedman’s book
31 Reasons to Believe God Exists tackles this important challenge very effectively.”
[Dr. Henry F. Schaefer III, Professor and Director, Center for ComputationalQuantum Chemistry,
University of Georgia and five time Nobel Prize Nominee.]
2) “Without question, this is the first book I
have read that explains apologetics in a connecting
examples and expressed humility throughout this book will compel even the most cynical to keep
reading. I intend to use 31 Reasons to
Believe God Exists as my primary
evangelism tool.” [Brad Dacus, President and Founder, Pacific Justice Institute.]
1993
– Pure Joy! The Positive Side of Single Sexuality (Moody Press)
2000
– Your Single Treasure (Republish of
“Pure Joy!”) (Moody Press)
Book Synopsis:
Help! Where
can I find honest and biblical answers to my questions about sexuality as an unmarried Christian? Millions of Christian singles and teenagers
are asking this question today. They are hoping for practical and biblical
answers to why they should abstain before marriage, and they want
specific advice on a host of issues, such as “Why did God make me this way?,” “Why
does God leave our sex switches on before marriage?,” “How far is too far?,” and
“What about living together before marriage?” Your Single Treasure is just what they
are looking for. With humor and
refreshing candor, ,Rick Stedman writes about the positive
reasons for abstinence. Singles and
teens will discover not only how sexuality is a
precious treasure, but even more how they each are treasured by God. There are positive reasons to remain
celibate! As Rick writes, “God has more to say to singles about sex than
‘don’t’!”
Endorsement: “Your
Single Treasure” is by far the best book on sexuality for singles and teenagers that I have read. It is at the same time biblical, practical,
and very realistic. Everyone should have this book.” [Ben Young is the host of The Single Connection, the nation’s
largest Christian Singles Radio Show, and Singles Pastor
to over 12,000 singles at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.]
Many other
books in the works, hopefully to be published in the next several years, to include a
continuation of the 31 Reasons theme, a Christmas book, and a marriage
book.
Rick
Stedman - Articles/Chapters in Books Written and Published
Wisdom
Devotional Book Project (Submitted 3 devotions to be included with publication in
2012.
Enrichment
Journal (Sex and the Single Christian),
2010
Enrichment Magazine (How to Win the Senior Pastor’s Support for Your Singles Ministry), 2009
William
Jessup University “Broadcaster” (Heroes
Serving in Southeast Asia), 2008
Christian
Standard (52 Sermons in a Row – On
Prayer!), 2004
Christian
Standard (Why Does Your Church Have
Communion So Often), 2004
Auburn
Journal – many articles written for this newspaper in 2001.
Standard
Publishing (Deborah and the Heart of Leadership),
2000
The Lookout
(Gideon:
“I’m Willing, Lord”), 2000
The Lookout
(Samson: “I’m looking, Lord”), 2000
The Lookout
(Samuel:
“I’m Listening, Lord”), 2000
The Lookout
(Deborah, “I’ll serve, Lord”), 2000
Corona This Month (The Single Life) – many, many articles written in the 90’s,
geared for Christian singles. Wrote while he was Singles Pastor at Crossroads
Christian Church in Corona.
How to Drug Proof
Your Kids (requested by many other churches in America)
Baptism
Communion – What
is it all About?
Conquering
Conflict
How and Who
Prayer
Why Does Your
Church Have Communion So Often
Our Mission Brochure
Rick Stedman - Radio/TV
Adventures
Through the Bible – Sermons on radio for many years (Adventure).
James Dobson’s Focus on the Family (original and rebroadcast) (Single Sexuality)
Radio Interviews
on his book “Your Single Treasure”
Rick Stedman - Conferences/Programs Created
Loving People One
at a Time (Conference)
Ministry
Apprenticeship Program (2 year leadership program)
[Created all curriculum to train
leaders]
Rick Stedman - Speaking at Conferences
Has spoken at
many conferences throughout the years to include:
North American Christian Convention
(2009)
Men’s Retreat in Ohio (2009)
Church Coaching/Equipping Lab (2007)
CDF Blueprint Tours (2001,2002, 2003,
2004)
Winema Week of Missions (2004)
Arizona Pastor’s Conference (2003)
Iowa Christian Convention (2002)
Various Marriage and Single’s Retreats
Rick Stedman - Mission Trips Taken
India (2011)
Cambodia/South
Korea (2008)Africa (2006)
Rick
Stedman’s Favorite Teaching Series
1.
Hebrews: Don’t Give Up!
2.
Psalms: Learning the Language of
Prayer.
3.
God is Big and People are Small:
The Fear of God
4.
2001: A Prayer Adventure: A Whole Year of Sermons on Prayer
5.
Genesis (A year through Genesis)
6.
Romans: Operation Transformation
7.
Can Smart People Believe in God?
8.
Joshua: Get Ready for Miracles
9.
Money Traps (Finance)
10.
One Night in Motel 6 (Finance)
Rick Stedman’s - Top List of Leadership Resources:
1.
House United, by Francis Frangipane
2.
Beyond Megachurch Myths, by Thumma and Travis
3.
Answering God, by Eugene Peterson.
4.
Darwin
5.
The Reason for God, Keller
Rick
Stedman – Story of Adventure Christian Church
Adventure's Story
Rick Stedman and his
wife Amy, and their children moved to Rocklin in the summer of 1993. Adventure
held their first services on Easter 1994 at Rocklin High School. Rick felt
called by the Lord to plant a church in the Rocklin/Roseville area, and worked
with the Northern Christian Evangelistic Association (NCEA) to take those first
steps to building Adventure Christian Church. Nineteen years later, Adventure
Christian Church has been blessed beyond anything he could have imagined. Here
in Rick’s own words is the amazing story of Adventure Christian Church.
No one was more surprised by it than me.
No one was more surprised by it than me.
Honestly, when I came to
town, I had no staff, no mother church, and no land. I had raised some support,
and had met a few people in this area, but really had no core group. I just
expected to meet people and love people one at a time and have a church that
would grow slowly. Coming to town, I really struggled, because I didn’t feel
comfortable with knocking on doors or making telephone calls, because
personally I didn’t like it when people did that to me uninvited. So I needed
to meet some people. I didn’t have money for direct mailers, and instead felt
that what God wanted me to do was to minister to and help people. So I picked
one real need in communities – how to keep kids off of drugs – and I wrote a
pamphlet, “How to Drug Proof Your Kids”.
I then received permission at Wal-Mart, Lucky’s and Bel-Air and a few other stores, and set up a little card table in front of the stores. That was our first facility – a card table that had a sign that said “How to Drug Proof Your Kids” free booklets, sponsored by Adventure Christian Church – no donations accepted. I sat out in front of these stores for a few days and figured it was a win-win situation. If someone came and they were already part of a church or weren’t interested in church, it didn’t matter – I just wanted to help them keep their kids off of drugs. And if I met someone who didn’t go to a church and they were interested, I would give them some information about Adventure. But my main concern was to help keep kids off of drugs and to help families. That is how we started Adventure Christian Church.
I thought that I would sit behind that table for years and that I would be known as the pastor of that little church who sits behind those little tables. In a few days, though, I had enough people to follow up on and I just began loving those people one at a time. Then they started inviting their friends. I haven’t had a chance yet to put my table back out, but someday I will.
As the people I met, through sitting at the card table, began to grow, I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do?” And I felt God responded, “Well, let’s start with what you do know how to do.” Well, not much. I have never started a church before. I have started ministries before – youth ministries, college ministries, couple’s ministries, singles’ ministries, remarried ministries and men’s ministries – but I haven’t started a church before. So I said, “Well, Lord, all I have done is start ministries.” And I almost felt like God reached out and knocked me on the head, “McFly, McFly think about this.” Oh, you want me to start ministries!
I then received permission at Wal-Mart, Lucky’s and Bel-Air and a few other stores, and set up a little card table in front of the stores. That was our first facility – a card table that had a sign that said “How to Drug Proof Your Kids” free booklets, sponsored by Adventure Christian Church – no donations accepted. I sat out in front of these stores for a few days and figured it was a win-win situation. If someone came and they were already part of a church or weren’t interested in church, it didn’t matter – I just wanted to help them keep their kids off of drugs. And if I met someone who didn’t go to a church and they were interested, I would give them some information about Adventure. But my main concern was to help keep kids off of drugs and to help families. That is how we started Adventure Christian Church.
I thought that I would sit behind that table for years and that I would be known as the pastor of that little church who sits behind those little tables. In a few days, though, I had enough people to follow up on and I just began loving those people one at a time. Then they started inviting their friends. I haven’t had a chance yet to put my table back out, but someday I will.
As the people I met, through sitting at the card table, began to grow, I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do?” And I felt God responded, “Well, let’s start with what you do know how to do.” Well, not much. I have never started a church before. I have started ministries before – youth ministries, college ministries, couple’s ministries, singles’ ministries, remarried ministries and men’s ministries – but I haven’t started a church before. So I said, “Well, Lord, all I have done is start ministries.” And I almost felt like God reached out and knocked me on the head, “McFly, McFly think about this.” Oh, you want me to start ministries!
So we started ministries. After I met a few people from the Wal-Mart table, I gathered those people into four different groups and in January 1994 launched on Monday nights a couples ministry, on Wednesday nights a singles ministry, on Thursday mornings a men’s ministry and on Tuesday afternoons a senior’s ministry. I had met a couple seniors who wanted to get involved so we met on Tuesday afternoons. We started by singing hymns and then we studied the Bible. And that’s how we got started with those four groups. We have always been a ministry driven church. We rented rooms for those four groups at Maidu community center in Roseville. Early on another miracle happened, when Rocklin High School agreed to have us use their cafeteria to hold services starting on Easter Sunday. We didn’t have money for a big mailer to get the word out, so again we just trained the people in those four ministry areas to invite their friends. We had our opening with about 250 people – and we were off and running.
From day one I knew I couldn’t compete in terms of fancy stuff. I’m not a drama guy, I’m not at all musical, so all I could do was love people one at a time. That’s what I committed to. I was and am committed to loving every person who walks through our doors. That really comes from my heart as a father. I have 3 kids and have realized that some day they are going to grow up and move away. And I often think to myself, when they move away and go to someone else’s church, how are they going to be treated when they walk through the doors? Are they just going to be another number in some guy’s church or are they treated as valuable? Will the Pastor even know their names? So from day one, every person that walks through the doors I say to myself, “That’s someone’s kid and I want to love that person like I want my kids to be loved someday.” And I train my staff and leaders to do that – that’s what we do – we love people one at a time.
Every week, I ask the staff, “Tell me one person who has come to know the Lord this week, one person you met with, one parent you talked to.” What I have learned is that if you love people one at a time they add up after awhile. So our whole church is organized for that. But, I also personally make a real effort at it.
I still try to memorize names and I don’t get them all, but I get a few every week and those add up. Plus, I really knew that God wanted me to love people one at a time and He wanted me to teach the Bible. I really, basically, am a Bible teacher and an evangelist and I just love helping people to learn the Bible. It’s by far the most thrilling book I have studied and I used to teach philosophy at the university, so I have read many books. But still I really feel that the Bible is the most incredible, most congruent, most insightful book ever written.
There are four things that from the beginning have built our church. We love people one at a time, we teach the Bible, we connect people to God in prayer and worship and we train people to invite their friends.
The next step in our amazing story was to look for land. But in 1993/1994 there was a real recession. Being a non-denominational church the only land we could afford was in an industrial zone. We found one piece that had power lines going over one corner, and industries didn’t want it because of that. We thought we could put a parking lot under the lines. We had our first capital funds campaign the week after we turned one year old, and we raised funds to purchase the land. It was just an astounding thing for our baby church to do – I mean we hardly knew one another, yet we were stepping out in faith. And then the city actually came to us and held an emergency zoning ordinance revision meeting. They decided that they really didn’t want a school and a church in that corner of the industrial zone. We felt it was persecution. We hired an attorney and our engineers met – and when the big city council meeting came – we presented our case. I felt we had a valid case, because right across the street there were houses and schools and things. But bottom line, some of the businesses in the area were not in support and the council voted 5-0 against us.
The council voted 5-0 against us. Now I told the church the week before what our major goal was here – God has not called us to build buildings, God has called us to honor Jesus Christ by our lives and actions. So if this meeting goes the wrong way I don’t want anyone to get out of control. So if you don’t have your anger under control you are not invited to this meeting, because we want to honor Jesus Christ. The council voted 5-0 against us at this meeting and I was just crushed. But I knew in my spirit that God wanted me to say something. I leaned over to the attorney and asked if after they’re done voting, before they take a recess would I have a chance to speak? And he said, “No.” Well would they stop me if I stood up to speak?” And with concern in his eyes he said, “Probably not, but what are you going to say?” I said, “I have no idea, but I am praying.”
There is a Scripture that says God will give us the words to speak when we stand before the magistrates and counsels. Well I said, “Lord if that Scripture ever applied it is now. Please inspire me.” I jumped to my feet and said, “Please there is just something I have got to say before everyone leaves. The city council said, “Okay, what?” Well, I am praying and waiting for inspiration and inspiration didn’t come so I thought, “Okay, I’ll stall. I’ll give God a little time and thank everyone there.”
So I thanked the Mayor
for the time that he spent with this. I knew he was a busy man and he
graciously gave us his time. Still no inspiration. So I thanked each of the
city council members by name. Still no inspiration. I thanked the city
attorney, the city manager, and I thanked the head planner. And I saw that when
I thanked the head planner, a wonderful woman, I saw that she teared up a
little bit. I knew God was doing something but I had just run out of people to
thank. And I said, “That’s all I have to say. We are a new church in town and
we are going to work hard with you to make this a wonderful place to live and
we look forward to working with you in the future.” And I went to sit down.
Then the mayor said to me, “Don’t sit down”. So I jumped back to my feet. And
then he said these words, which I will never forget...
“We want your church in our town. We have never met a church like
yours before. “
“How can we help you
find and build a church home?” I said, “I don’t know. You just passed a law
stating that we cannot build on the property we own.” And he said, “Well, would
you consider a swap or a trade?” And I said, “Of course, but it would have to
be the same price, because we are non-denominational so there are no “deep
pockets” anywhere. Same price (and then the inspiration began to come), same
freeway access, same visibility, same size and different zoning. It can’t be
industrial since you just passed that law.” And they said, “That’s fine, we’ll
work with you.” Do you know that night they set up a sub-committee of the city
council whose only task was to help us find another site. Now do you know any
other city in the whole country where the city council helped a church find a
better spot?
That’s what is called a miracle. Now, honestly, I thought they were just posturing and I thought that it would die in committee and that nothing would happen. So I was shocked when two weeks later they called our offices, they had a highlighted map and they said here are some sites. I saw the site on Stanford Ranch Road and I asked if this site here was available? They said, “Well, it actually is urban reserve, but we will consider rezoning it for you and your church.” Well, that’s just a modern day miracle. So we went down that road and we worked with the developer and sold our other parcel. And we ended up with a pretty cool site.
That’s what is called a miracle. Now, honestly, I thought they were just posturing and I thought that it would die in committee and that nothing would happen. So I was shocked when two weeks later they called our offices, they had a highlighted map and they said here are some sites. I saw the site on Stanford Ranch Road and I asked if this site here was available? They said, “Well, it actually is urban reserve, but we will consider rezoning it for you and your church.” Well, that’s just a modern day miracle. So we went down that road and we worked with the developer and sold our other parcel. And we ended up with a pretty cool site.
The site is 41 acres,
right on Stanford Ranch Road. 38-39 acres are buildable. I have had friends
from across the country come to visit and say it is the finest church site they
have seen anywhere. I drive up there on Sunday mornings and other days during
the week and think to myself, “Am I in the right place?”
Since that time we have built our 1st phase which is our Administration Building and our Pre-school building. The Admin building houses our offices on the 2nd floor, and the nursery and Youth auditorium on the 1st floor. (The Youth Auditorium was our original auditorium for our main services when we first moved on to the site in 1999). In September 2003, we moved into our new 3000 seat auditorium, which is our 2nd phase of building. We have been so tremendously blessed by the Lord, and are enjoying our new facility. In September 0f 2010 we moved into our new Children’s Building, Phase 3, and it is phenomenal. The Children’s Building houses our elementary and pre-teen ministry, as well as our Adventure Christian Elementary School midweek. Our school is a glorious place for kids to grow and learn about God.
Our next building plans include a youth building, which will be Phase 4. As our attendance grows, we have a need for more space for our youth, as well as a need to expand our Adventure school.
So that’s our story. We are now 17 years old and continue to grow and expand, in our buildings, our congregation, our ministries and our compassion outreach to the communities. One day at a time God has blessed us and we will continue to love people one at a time, teach people the Word of God, connect people to God in prayer and worship and train people to love others.
Knowing God is truly life’s greatest Adventure!
Rick Stedman
Senior Pastor
Adventure Christian Church
Since that time we have built our 1st phase which is our Administration Building and our Pre-school building. The Admin building houses our offices on the 2nd floor, and the nursery and Youth auditorium on the 1st floor. (The Youth Auditorium was our original auditorium for our main services when we first moved on to the site in 1999). In September 2003, we moved into our new 3000 seat auditorium, which is our 2nd phase of building. We have been so tremendously blessed by the Lord, and are enjoying our new facility. In September 0f 2010 we moved into our new Children’s Building, Phase 3, and it is phenomenal. The Children’s Building houses our elementary and pre-teen ministry, as well as our Adventure Christian Elementary School midweek. Our school is a glorious place for kids to grow and learn about God.
Our next building plans include a youth building, which will be Phase 4. As our attendance grows, we have a need for more space for our youth, as well as a need to expand our Adventure school.
So that’s our story. We are now 17 years old and continue to grow and expand, in our buildings, our congregation, our ministries and our compassion outreach to the communities. One day at a time God has blessed us and we will continue to love people one at a time, teach people the Word of God, connect people to God in prayer and worship and train people to love others.
Knowing God is truly life’s greatest Adventure!
Rick Stedman
Senior Pastor
Adventure Christian Church
Rick Stedman - Loving People
One at a Time
I’m often asked by friends and other
pastors (sometimes both J),
when they learn of the amazing growth of our church, “What’s your secret?”
My answer often disappoints them, “There
really is no secret – we just try to love people one at a time.” They usually respond, “well, right, yeah,
sure. But in addition to that, what’s
your secret!”
The truth is that there really is nothing
else, unless I were to mention a commitment to teaching God’s Word and teaching
people to invite their friends (but they would likewise dismiss these answers
too!). The heart of our ministry here is
simple: we just truly try to love people
one at a time! We have never
focused on big numbers, on growth projections, or numerical goals. Quite honestly, I’m not really a numbers
person. As I tell our staff often,
“I
don’t care much about any number – except the number one! Tell me about one teen that recently was
saved, one child who was treasured, one marriage strengthened, or one single
cared for.” That’s what I really care
about, and I’ve noticed that if we authentically care for people one at a time,
that they add up after awhile.
But how can I communicate this to other
pastor friends? One approach that seems
to work is to talk about my kids. I have
three – and I love them each immeasurably!
They each are dear, unique, and wonderful to me. In their own way, each is a delight, a rare
and special creation of God. My fear is
that some day, they may grow up and move away (I’m praying God keeps them close
J), and attend some church that
doesn’t value people one at a time. They
may be valued merely as another number on a growth chart or another contributor
to the offering. But what about them
each as special treasures of God? Will
the pastors in their future church even know their names?
That’s why I work so hard to learn
peoples names here, and to make sure each person here receives some personal,
genuine attention. Just like my kids,
each person here – every guest each weekend – is someone’s child! Even more importantly, he or she is God’s child! To put it simply, I just try to treat everyone
here like I pray my own children will be treated some day. And in God’s gracious economy I know that
since we reap what we sow (2 Corinthians
9:6), my children may be treated better some day as a reflection of how I treat
others here! Wow – how we treat others
each Sunday might have a positive future impact on our own family, as well as
upon them now!
So that’s what we do here – it’s simply
an adventure loving people one at a time, letting God’s love flow in and
through us to them. Not only am I
committed to this, but our staff and leaders are also, as are many in our
church family. But can you imagine what
would happen if every believer at Adventure would try, each Sunday, to love
others one at a time… to greet those they don’t yet know as they would like
their own children or friend greeted… to work on remembering names and faces as
we want our loved ones remembered…to let the love of God flow in and through us
to others…and to not only do this on Sunday, but every day of the week, everywhere
the Lord takes us! What an Adventure
that would be!
So our “secret” is out – we just let
Jesus love others through us one at a time.
Thanks for being a part of this adventure, and for joining me in
treasuring others one at a time!
Rick
Stedman - Highlights of Ministry at Adventure Christian Church
Adventure Christian Church is a
non-denominational Christ-centered church founded by Pastor Rick Stedman. Adventure launched their first services on
Easter, 1994 at Rocklin High School with 250 people in attendance. Adventure has now grown, after 17 years, to
over 4000 in attendance. We believe that
knowing God is life’s greatest adventure and strive to live out the mission
statement that God has placed in our hearts - “To Let God love us and love Others
Through Us.”
The highlights of our ministry here at
Adventure are a focus on loving people one at a time, teaching the Word
thoroughly, and training believers to love others. By focusing on loving people one at a time,
Adventure can remain people centered - we seek to love people as individuals
rather than just as crowd, and it not only encourages personal spiritual
growth, but also helps to develop meaningful relationships. We want to love and value people one at a
time. We also seek to teach the Word
thoroughly. We are committed to trusting
in the power of the Word to change lives, and when the Word is taught
thoroughly, people not only feel fed, but grow in Christian maturity. We seek to nourish the church through
teaching the Bible well. Our next focus
is to then train believers to love others.
We want to be a church that truly loves others and we focus on teaching
them to pray for others, teaching them how to invite their friends and then
teaching them to reach out to others through our compassion ministry. We want to be a church who loves others one
at a time.
It has been amazing to watch God working in
the lives of others as they grow in His Word and as they reach out to
others. We have had such an enthusiastic
response to our mission statement and it is shown in so many ways through the
ministries of Adventure. We are truly
blessed by a loving staff, a loving congregation and a loving church who daily
practice “Letting God love them and love others through them.
