Brocks - Missionaries to California

Bryan (’99), Rebecca (Marriott, ’99), Brad, Kate,Grant, and Jane Brock

Contact Information

Pastor and Mrs. Bryan Brock
22305 Minnetonka Road
Apple Valley, CA 92308
Email: Pastor@lifepointbaptist.org

Mission Agency

Baptist World Mission

August 13, 2009

Dear Friends,

Summer has finally arrived in full force in Apple Valley! This week we are having the normal 100 degree temperatures that we’ve come to expect from the summer months here in the desert. Even being in the midst of vacation season, the Lord has been doing some exciting things at Life Point!

Praises:

We’ve seen some significant salvation decisions since our last prayer letter! David and Amanda sat in our living room for marriage counseling and heard the entire plan of salvation. At a crucial moment, Amanda interrupted with, “May I say something?” She then went on to explain what the Lord had done to bring them to this point in their lives, and she concluded with, “I think He did it all so we could come here and be saved!” David thanked Bryan with tears rolling down his face and said, “I’ve needed this for a long time.” David and Amanda are both in Bryan’s discipleship class and are looking forward to baptism!

We met Josh and Portia recently at a doctor’s appointment. The waiting room was overflowing, and while in the courtyard Bryan spied this young couple. He sent me in to find a seat and went to try to start a conversation with them. In brief, Josh claimed to be saved; but Portia called on the Lord to save her before she was called in for her appointment! Josh showed up at church the next week. After the service he told Bryan that he had prayed before, but he knew that if he stood before God he’d still be guilty. Before Josh left that morning, he also called out in faith and repentance to God!

During the summer months, we’re having an evangelism course in the evening service. It has been so thrilling to see our church gaining confidence and enthusiasm for sharing their faith! Our midweek Bible studies on prayer have been extremely well received too. God is growing us together as we study His Word!

Prayer Requests:

Jonathan and Kelly moved in next door and have been wide open to the Gospel! While in our home for dinner, Kelly asked what a Baptist was. They both listened intently as Bryan gave them the long answer which included a presentation of salvation! They came to church on Fathers’ Day and Kelly has come to ladies’ Bible studies. This past week after Bible study Kelly asked God to save her! Please pray that Jonathan would be saved as well!

We’ve been doing a lot of waiting when it comes to our building project! Lord willing, everything will be approved with the city any day now. Our big prayer requests are that 1) we will find a bank that will be willing to loan to us and 2) the Lord would send us a reliable, honest builder!

With our growing group of believers, we’re having some growing pains! God is stretching us to meet needs and minister to a larger group of people. Organizationally, we need to be on top of things and are praying for more spiritually-minded men to be leaders in the church!

Family Front:

Brad continues to be sensitive to the things of the Lord and is praying for his friends to be saved. One Sunday night Bryan was asking for the names of the lost we should be praying for, and Brad raised his hand and asked for prayer for “Emma” – who happened to be seated a couple rows behind him…. Brad is excited to start first grade this year and is looking forward to turning seven (in just eleven months) so he can play community football!

Since our last prayer letter, Kate asked God to wash away her sins! She was baptized on Easter Sunday in the cold, slimy swimming pool at the Apple Valley Inn. I was a bit concerned that she would change her mind when she felt the water, but she was determined! During family Bible time last month, Bryan asked the kids how God wrote the Bible. Brad thought God used His finger and then decided He used a feather. Kate responded matter-of-factly, “God said ‘Let there be a Bible’ and there was a Bible!”

Two-year-old Grant continues to melt our hearts with his cheerful spirit and his hugs and kisses! He’s beginning to understand who God is and what God expects from him as a boy—obeying his parents! His favorite food is “mac cheese,” and his favorite activity is diving for rings with Daddy in the swimming pool!

Kate was thrilled to find out that she is going to get the baby sister she has wanted so desperately! If all goes as planned, our new baby girl will be born on Daddy’s birthday in October!

We are so thankful for your prayers! It is so exciting to be working for God’s kingdom, and yet there are many adversaries. Thank you for your faithful investment in us and in His work here!

Bryan and Rebecca Brock

March 28, 2009

Dear Friends,

This winter has been unseasonably cold for our desert community! To the great joy of our children we’ve had three snows, two snowmen, and the opportunity to drink hot chocolate in front of the fire and bundle up in hats and gloves! January also blew in some family and church turbulence. While we were facing a miscarriage on the family front, Bryan faced several heavy issues on the church front as well. It has been faith-building to look back and see God’s hand on the timing of each trial and see Him working good, bringing our family and church family closer together. We praise Him for His goodness!

Praises:

Although, the Inn doesn’t afford us as many rooms as we’d like, we’ve been able to start a scaled-back Sunday School before the morning service. Bryan is conducting a marriage seminar for the adults while we are offering a children’s choir for the young ones. If all goes well, we hope to creatively expand into a few more classes in the coming months (You know the college and career in the foyer and the teens in a closet somewhere, etc…J).

Our midweek Bible studies have been well received. Both the men and women are tackling the subject of pneumatology and are eagerly studying in preparation for their quizzes each week. It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm in understanding God better. After studying the role of the Holy Spirit in the OT one woman said “This helps me understand the Old Testament in a whole new light!”

In our fall update we asked prayer for the salvation of Jose, a man attending with his girlfriend and their children. Praise the Lord that Jose and Etta both called on the Lord for salvation! When Bryan was in their home explaining salvation Etta’s response was.... “But we’re not married...” She immediately connected the fact that coming to Christ meant leaving her sin. In January Jose and Etta were married at Life Point!

We continue to see spiritual and numerical growth as a result of our new location and the witness of our congregation. We’ve had a sharp Presbyterian family attending for a few months now and both the wife and daughter have talked with Bryan about being immersed!

Prayer Requests:

It appears that we are close to being able to get bids on our building project and then begin looking for loans. Please pray that we are able to be approved for a loan and that God would send us a builder who is a man of integrity!

Life Point could really use help in the music department! We are asking the Lord to bring us a man, or reveal one we already have that could handle leading a choir, organizing special music, etc.

Even in this time of economic trouble we’ve had a great response to our church-wide camps coming up this spring! Bryan is speaking for Paintball Camp, and Family Camp, and my mom and I are speaking for Mother Daughter Retreat at Ironwood. Please pray for spiritual fruit as a result of these weekends!

Family Front:

Brad began kindergarten at home this year. He is a good student and is motivated by staying ahead of his four-year-old sister Kate, who absorbs and incredible amount of what her brother is learning! In December Brad memorized most of the Christmas story from Luke 2 and was thrilled to quote it for both sets of grandparents this year! He continues to be sensitive spiritually. One day he confessed, “Mommy, I know I’m not the best. But my head tells me I’m the best.” A pretty good description of the struggle with pride! (Oh! And he can now eat grapes with his chopsticks!)

In our January prayer letter we asked prayer for Kate’s salvation. Not too long ago she was looking through a Bible story book and commented “This will help me learn the Gospel!” She understands the basic truths of salvation and in January asked for help to be saved, but since her professions she still seems uncertain of her salvation.

Two–year-old Grant is lots of fun! He’s starting to talk more. He notices everything and is devastated if he is not included in all the activities that his siblings do!

Thank you so much for continued investment in us and the work here in Apple Valley!

Bryan and Rebecca, Brad, Kate, and Grant

October 17, 2008

2. As our congregation grows, the demands of the ministry grow as well. Pray for Bryan as he balances all his pastoral duties and adds a building project on top of it all.

3. With the new faces who are coming, we know some are not believers. Please pray specifically for Jose who is coming with his girlfriend and their children. He seems open but still doesn’t understand.

4. Like many of you, our area has been hit hard financially. We’ve seen one family move and have others looking for jobs.

Family Front:

The past few months have been full of excitement for Brad. Late this summer he was baptized—the first to be immersed in the Apple Valley Inn swimming pool! Also, he has started kindergarten here at home. He’s obviously already at the top of his class! Studying the seasons here in the desert can be difficult. Brad asked recently, “Why is it fall and nothing is falling?”

Kate, who is three-and-a-half, is enjoying participating as much as she can in kindergarten. She’s quite a conversationalist and loves trying out new words—big or small. Kate found me washing dishes and asked, “You’re washing dishes, huh? What does ‘huh’ mean?”

Our baby, Grant, is approaching two years old very quickly and is quite a tease. His favorite games are running to sit in Daddy’s chair before Daddy gets there and stealing his siblings clothes while they are trying to get dressed and listening to them squeal!

Thank you so much for your investment in prayer for our family and Life Point Baptist Church.

The Brocks

September 24, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

We have found ourselves in the last weeks praising the Lord and thanking Him for getting us out of Willow Park High School! It has been exciting to see God take a seemingly negative situation and be working so much good from it. Our congregation has been growing numerically and we are regularly having new visitors coming from seeing our banners.

However, we have also attracted some negative attention from the city in our new location, which is the thrust behind this prayer update. We would ask your prayer for our continued meeting at the Apple Valley Inn. Yesterday Bryan was notified by a code inspector that according to zoning laws, churches cannot meet in commercial space. The city planning office has confirmed this and we have been given 21 days to relocate. Two years ago the city passed zoning changes that, practically speaking, zoned churches out of renting anything in Apple Valley. The only real option for churches of our size are the schools. As you know the school district informed us earlier this year they will not rent any facility in the district to us again.

The city zoning laws violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. Bryan has contacted Christian Law Association and is waiting to hear back from them. Would you pray with us about this? Ideally we would like the city to simply back down and let us continue to meet. If not, though, we will have to take legal action since we would be left without any meeting place. A church in IL was just awarded thousands of dollars by the courts in a similar case - This is not how we had planned on funding our new building.... Seriously, this seems like a hassle and harrassment, but we are confident that God is building His church and that even the very gates of hell cannot prevail against what He has planned (Matt 16:18).

We covet your prayers,

The Brocks

July 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

We just wanted to thank you for your prayers for our first service in our new location! The Lord gave us a great morning with very few glitches! Even with some of our faithful families on vacation we had a full crowd and were excited to see returning visitors follow us to the new building. Here are some pictures!

Serving Him,

The Brocks

P.S. Every Sunday I include a “Word from our Pastor” in the bulletin. Here’s the one from yesterday:

Whew! Finally we’re here! I’m glad that we are here, and I marvel at the process that God used to bring us here. But where are we?

The Apple Valley Inn is called “historic” because it was one of the early focal points of Apple Valley. Built about sixty years ago, the Inn was a resort enjoyed by celebrities and movie stars including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the iconic couple who were frequent guests. In many ways the Apple Valley Inn was a gateway to the development of our town.

As important as this building has been, you have to wonder if, from the perspective of eternity, it’s most important year is just around the corner. We all recognize that God has brought us to this place to do His work. In a million years the notable history of the Apple Valley Inn will not be measured by the movie stars that graced the dance floor, but by the grace of God evidenced in souls saved and Christians discipled. So, together, let’s make this a “historic” year for the glory of God.  ~ Pastor Bryan

 July 2008

Dear Prayer Partners,

The Lord has done great things on our behalf since our spring update.

Praises:

1. We are praising Him for the provision of land for our congregation! The Lord gave us 2.2 acres on a main road in town (right across from the Mormon temple). The owners were eager to sell and took our low-ball offer, which consisted of everything we had in our land fund. Amazingly, they turned down an offer $20,000 higher than ours because we could pay in cash and we were a good cause. The result is that we own land outright and have no debt as we proceed to build. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

2. It was with much excitement that we packed up our things at Willow Park High School after the evening service this past Sunday. Although the thought of relocating was somewhat devastating when we began having trouble with the district months ago, we are now excited and relieved to be moving! God opened a door at the historic Apple Valley Inn banquet hall. The facility is clean, attractive, and in a good location. We will have plenty of room for our nursery and children’s ministry, will have the capability to seat more in the services, and will have access to the swimming pool for baptisms! We are praying that we will reach more for Christ in our new location!

3. Every other Saturday, young men from our church get together to play football at a local park. This has attracted some young college guys from the community, and it has been a wonderful opportunity for contact with the lost. Four weeks ago Bryan began an evangelistic, college-age Bible study, and it has been exciting to see these football guys attend. Just last week Bryan led the first one to Christ! We are hopeful this will be the beginning of reaching our community college kids with the Gospel.

4. We’ve had some opportunities for personal refreshment in the past few months. In April it was a great joy to participate in the missions conference of Calvary Baptist Church in San Francisco. The generosity and love of Pastor Allen and the congregation was overwhelming. June took us to the church-planting conference hosted by Grace Church of Mentor where we heard some thoughtful preaching and had great fellowship. Early in July our sending pastor, Dr. Marty Marriott, and his wife (whom we call Dad and Mom) came to check up on the work and spend time with their kids and grandchildren! What a treat for us!

Prayer Needs:

1. Now that we have acquired land, our men need wisdom in proceeding with a building. Many decisions need to be made regarding how big, how many phases, how to finance, etc….

2. Please pray for a smooth transition with our new location. We are doing our best to get the word out and are praying no one gets lost in the shuffle. We also have the undertaking of reprinting all of our tracts, bulletins, brochures, etc….

Family Front:

Our now five-year-old Brad continues to be spiritually sensitive. He keeps asking about baptism and recently, after offering to share a toy with his sister, he explained to me, “I’m trying to listen to my good conscience on the inside.” Humorously, after understanding what Mothers’ Day was, his response was, “When’s Brothers’ Day?”

Our Kate is as feminine as can be. She prefers anything that is pink and loves skirts that “spin.” We are trying to emphasize inner beauty with her and have been excited to see her interest in salvation!

Our quiet Grant is beginning to talk more, and is keeping up with his siblings well. He loves wearing all our shoes and is still rather possessive of Mommy!

Thank you for your investment in the work in Apple Valley!

For Him,

Bryan and Rebecca Brock
Brad, Kate, and Grant

May 20, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

If you remember, two weeks ago we asked you to pray because the school district wanted us out of their school. We appealed to the district and they sounded like they were going to be reasonable. They called me back yesterday and said that we could continue to meet in the school, BUT we would be restricted to the use of the auditorium and the restrooms only! When I told them we needed a minimum of one other room for nursery (14+ babies!), they absolutely refused.

The things that they have complained about are either completely untrue and unsubstantiated, or relatively normal janitorial issues (lights left on etc.). When I reminded them that their janitor, on their payroll is responsible for all of the things they complained about, they admitted it was their responsibility not ours. We have bent over backwards to be good tenants; we always pay on time, we leave the place cleaner than what we found it, we have even bought gifts and written notes of appreciation to the teachers and administration each year at Christmas. However, it appears that a couple people, with the authority to do so, want us out.

So, as of right now, we will be allowed to use the auditorium, the restrooms, and a room for nursery for three more weeks. After that we will no longer have access to the nursery. So June 8 will be our last week, and June 15^th we will be in our new, temporary location. We are looking into three options, and we are waiting to hear back about availability and price.

Our church and many people across the country have been praying about this situation. When I look at the detail of how everything has happened it is very frustrating and painful, but moreover, faith building. I believe and our church family realizes that God may be allowing these things to happen because He wants us somewhere else. All of us agree that if God wants us somewhere else, then we want to be somewhere else. I am truly amazed (O me of little faith) that the overwhelming sentiment of the people of Life Point is excitement and anticipation. We can’t wait to see what God is going to do next because we know it’s going to be great!

So thank you for praying, and please continue to pray for God’s leading and provision. We want to start our building project this summer, but there will be several major financial hurdles. And right now we need to find an intermediate place to meet. God is good; God is still on the throne, but we never want to neglect coming boldly before Him. We need His helping grace.

Your Fellow Laborers,

The Brocks

May 13, 2008

Dear Friends,

Just a note to let you know that escrow has closed and Life Point Baptist now owns land!! Praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers!

In regard to our current location, the principal has indicated he has no problem with us continuing to meet at the school. We have requested that the school district reconsider and have requested one more year. Please pray that God would impress upon Lynette’s heart to approve this request.

Thank you,
The Brocks

Update-- May 5, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Praise: Many of you have learned by now that God has provided land for our growing congregation! We prayed that He would lead very clearly and He did above all we could ask or think. Sparing you the many details of the story, after the doors on all of our other possibilities had swung shut the Lord reminded Bryan of a piece just over two acres on a main road just a mile from our meeting location. The sellers were desperate for cash and ended up accepting our offer of $155,000 (the totality of our building resources) because we were cash buyers, even though they had a better offer where the buyers would have to finance. (A similar piece in town is on the market for $499,999).

In the last six months or so the Lord has brought us a general contractor who has been working on plans for a building. When Bryan told him we were looking at 2.2 acres he responded that we really didn’t need that much land! It was with much excitement that we voted unanimously at the conclusion of our third anniversary service to purchase the property!

Prayer: Just this morning we received a startling letter from the school district informing us that after the first week of June we will no longer be able to meet at Willow Park High School! Not only that, but the district will not rent any other facility to us in town. They made a lot of false claims insinuating that we have been bad tenants. We have bent over backwards to keep a good relationship with the school – trying to leave it cleaner than when we arrive, buying the teachers See’s Candy for Christmas, following our janitor to make sure he's locking up, etc. Please pray. This gives us only a month to resolve the situation. Right now we know of no other options for a meeting place.

Our faith has been strengthened as we have seen God working, building His church, leading, and providing. Please pray for His continued care over our congregation and wisdom to know how to proceed.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.....

The Brocks

Spring 2008 Update

Family Front:

Brad is four-and-a-half and that extra half is very important to him! He has big plans for when he turns five, such as getting a “beeping watch” so he knows when to get out of bed in the morning on his own! Brad continues to show sweet spiritual sensitivity. He often tells me he loves me but sometimes qualifies it with, “but I love God the most.” One Sunday evening while preaching, Bryan asked how many were saved as a child. It was quite precious to see Brad’s hand shoot up in the air!

Kate is our three-year old linguist as her vocabulary is rivaling her big brothers. She enjoys using big words like Tabasco and Tapatio (Daddy’s favorite hot sauces). And she dramatically pronounces her adjectives: beau-ti-ful, won-der-ful, and a-ma-a-zing!

Sixteen-month-old Grant is still learning about obedience and also learning that he is now big and strong enough to tease his big sister from whom he can easily evoke screams. He has a fun personality and smiles even when getting into mischief.

As always, thank you for your prayer and for your support,

Bryan, Rebecca, Brad, Kate, and Grant
Philippians 4:17

Prayer Request- March 21, 2008

Dear Prayer Team,

I just wanted to let you know about something that we, our sending church, and the leadership of Life Point Baptist Church are all praying about right now. The last time we sent out a prayer team update we asked you to pray about land. There were two pieces that we thought were great, but on Monday it became obvious that the Lord had shut the door on those options.

On Tuesday a realtor who I contacted two and a half years ago called, and told me about a property that had just come back on the market. The owners have tried to sell it twice, but both deals fell through. The property is 10 acres (two five acre plots) on the corner of a main, visible road, and bordering the new High School in town! The asking price is $400,000 (quite a bit lower than the $780,000 they tried to sell it for two years ago). It is a great piece of property for a church, ready to build, and the best price/quality piece I have seen yet.

The problem is that even with the money we have saved, I don’t think we can afford $400,000. As I talked with the realtor yesterday (Wednesday) I asked her if she could find out two things: 1) If the price was negotiable, and 2) if the sellers would be willing to sell one of the five acre parcels separately. We should be finding out more today. So, this is what we’ve been praying about for the last half a day, and we wanted you to pray with us.

We know money is no problem for God, but we are praying that as our missions support ends over the next couple of years that God allows this new church to be fully supporting their pastor and have the foundation laid for its future building program.

Thanks for your prayers. We’ll keep you posted.

Bryan and Rebecca Brock

Prayer Letter