The Rock is planted in Sisters

A new church has been planted in Sisters - one whose ministry focuses on helping folks in the local community "build solid lives."

The Rock of Sisters meets at Sisters Middle School on Sundays at 10 a.m.

Pastor Jim Hanson always believed he would plant a church in Sisters - ever since he attended Camp Davidson at Suttle Lake when he was a kid.

"I've been in ministry full-time for 21 years," he said. "I got my start at Canby Foursquare Church."

In Canby he built a youth ministry from 13 kids to a thriving program with 600 to 800 kids a week.

The path led him to Claremont, California.

"After eight years down there, we felt the Lord was calling us to Sisters," he said.

Hanson attended Sisters Community Church, where he led a men's Bible study group. As that group grew and became close-knit, "I felt like we heard the Lord saying it was time to start something."

Jeff Haken, who leads the musical worship at The Rock, had been feeling a calling for some time.

"It was on my heart for three or four years to plant a church in Sisters," he said.

Hanson, Haken and Cort Horner - who conducts the youth ministry - acknowledge that there are many churches to chose among in Sisters. They believe The Rock fills a particular niche as a strongly Bible-based church with a decidedly local focus.

"What makes us different - not necessarily better - is that we're building solid lives through God's word," Hanson said. "We really feel like our ministry is (local)."

"We have a real close sense of need right here first," Horner said.

As a new church with no previous commitments to ministries farther afield, they feel they can meet their need. Ten percent of tithes and offerings are committed to this local effort.

"I think we're giving back more than that already," Horner said.

The Rock invites members of the community to come and hear the message - and, most importantly, find a church and a connection to God.

"We want people to come and hear the message," Horner said. "If you like the message, great. If you don't we hope you find a church somewhere."

For more information visit www.therockofsisters.com; email [email protected]

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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