The Grove

In the fall of 2010 my wife and I were invited to embark on a journey that I had no idea would change my life.We were asked to take over the college and young adults ministry at The Rock Church in Castle Rock, Colorado. The first night I showed up to preach there were two guys. I will never forget that night. That night would be the start of one of the greatest adventures that I have had the privilege of being a part of. For the next 4 years we were able to be a part of a Tribe of people who pursued Jesus with passion and purpose. We saw God do some unbelievable things, prodigals come home, the lost find Christ, sons and daughters discover their true identity, healing, miracles, the nations invaded and affected, a community that became a family, and prayer become a priority.

The Grove was my first journey in leadership and pastoring and I am the first to tell people that I didn't do it all well, I know in my immaturity and even naivety I let people down and even hurt others along the way. Leading The Grove I made a ton of mistakes. I also know that God did incredible things in all of our lives, things that we may never know the full impact of this side of eternity. 

Over the years I have had people ask for various messages from our journey together at The Grove. I have passed on individual messages here and there but realized that there needed to be a space where the messages and stories could live on.

This is that space. The story and journey of a Tribe of people in desperate pursuit of Jesus and his Kingdom. Constantly fighting to believe and live in the truth that He is a Good God. He is a good Dad, in a good mood, who desires to give good gifts to his kids. 

Looking back at these messages now and listening to them for me is very tough, I realize my growth and also how much I desperately did not know at the time. Please listen with a heart of grace for the stories, the analogies, the immaturity in my leadership and teaching.

I pray that you would one day be an old man or woman who has lived a lifetime of adventures following Christ.

- JD Small