Gemma (Crawford) McKee
I spent a few years working with Go Kidz in my early teens and have wonderful memories of this time. Go Kidz taught me so many valuable lessons and skills that I continue to use today. I watched and learnt from Johnny and Sharon as they continually sacrificed and poured their lives into the ministry, I learnt the importance of commitment and servant-hood from them and the rest of the team. Go Kidz has an excellent reputation on the Shankill Road today and there are so many young people who know about God as a result of attending the kids clubs, I am extremely proud to say that I was part of this. Throughout my teens I never walked away from God or church and credit a lot of this to the foundations in my Christianity that were established with Go Kidz and I am now a Pastor's wife serving God in my local church. I have lots of funny memories of my time with Go Kidz including painting my face with braveheart style make-up to take part in the biggest water fight in history and of course lots of memories of Johnny dressed in women's clothing! Thanks to Johnny, Sharon and all of the team for playing such a major role in my life.
God Bless
Ivan Brownlee
Being involved with rock Belfast for over fifteen years has certainly not be dull. I can remember the early days when it helped if you were a bit crazy - my most memorable bits were eating dog food and going out to visit kids in the middle of a riot and seeing a couple of thousand kids fill the shankill leisure centre for a special kids club one Christmas. It was exciting being part of something where we saw God's provision on a daily basis. Rock Belfast is also the place where i met my wonderful wife Kathy.
Another highlight for me was when i had left Go-kidz to work for a church near Brighton and then being able to bring my own youth group to the Shankill on a mission trip and letting them see real faith in action.
Being part of Rock Belfast now as a leader has given me the opportunity to serve a church where relationship is at the centre - Jonny is more than our Pastor, he's also a friend. So when he wanted to do the 4 peaks challenge this year - it was a faith adventure for all the men together. Being connected to others has meant alot to Kathy and I over the past 4 years as we went through the process of adopting 2 children, it's been good to share how God has answered our prayers along this journey and celebrate this with the church.
Kevin Mattison
Funny Memory (2004 or 5)
The guys from Rock Community Church took our team to go mountain boarding south of Belfast. If you've never been mountain boarding you've never experienced the thrill and stupidity that we all experienced on this day. Mountain boarding consists of hurling yourself down a mountain while attached to a skateboard size board with tonka truck wheels. Not only are you flying down mountains at unheard of speeds, but you are expected to turn and stop! Needless to say, there were many injuries and lots of laughs. We only took one trip to the hospital though. A dislocated shoulder.
Other Memory:
Every time I've had the privilege to be a part of the work that Go Kidz and the Rock Community church I've been changed and challenged because of it. All 3 trips I have made to Belfast has made a huge impact on the love I have for the people of Belfast. Also, the team of Go Kidz and Rock Community Church has left a last impact on my life with their friendship, love for Christ, and willingness to do what it takes to reach the city of Belfast.
Colin McCrory
Go kidz for me could sum up my childhood/ growing up, whenever I felt down, needed a friendly face I would go to my second home and family!
From kidz clubs, missions trips, home group, church, midnight walks on Helen's Bay, to name but a few there was always plenty to be involved in.
Funniest memory would have been when I played Wishy Washee in our Xmas panto and having Jonny Caldwell pull down my trousers for all to see! :-)
I have great memories, great people that I know I could always turn to and I genuinely believe that Go kidz and Rock have helped shape me into the person I am today!
I have to be thankful to them for an awful lot in my life! I know even now their door and arms are always open!
All in all I was a city kid who was reached out to!
Thank you guys! :-)
Troy Rhodes
Ten years ago I took a year off from my college studies, and interned at Rock Community Church. In this year I had the opportunity to reach hundreds of youth and children, telling them of the love of Christ. I was never the same after that year. I came away knowing the heart of Christ for His people. I was challenged in my faith, and encouraged to do more for the Lord then I ever thought I could. It was a year that shaped me into who I am today.
Lesley Gaston
The most important lesson I've learnt from all my friends at ROCK community church/gokidz is the difference between going to church and having a relationship with God. "I am a friend of God HE calls ME friend!"
Chrissy Treu
My very first missions trip was to serve in Belfast with Go Kidz. This was my first time being out of the country and only my second time on an airplane. Almost instantly upon meeting the team at Go Kidz I knew I was surrounded by greatness. You can see the passion in the staff – they are changing Belfast's future and having FUN doing it! I hold very dear my memories of school assemblies and after school programs, meeting teachers and even having tea in principal’s offices. The children of Belfast are beautiful and they will steal your heart in an instant. Belfast holds part of my heart even still. I have returned for seconds, actually and would love to visit once again. What a wonderful missions experience Go Kidz is!
Christine Ringue
My little memory.
In 2004 I was given the opportunity to travel to Belfast and work along side the Rock Community Church. I had been working in Europe for the last several months and I experienced first hand how closed people were to hearing the Gospel.
I am not going to tell you that during my time in Belfast I saw masses of people accept Jesus. However, I encountered a church with a genuine heart to reach out and be Jesus to their community. Together we did kids camps, school assemblies, prayer walks, community events, and even painted a large wall in a near by park. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with the Rock, it was filled with prayer, work, laughter and joy. Love you all!
Much love!
Christine
Tell us your story...
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Bridget Reilly Engelhardt
I would love to share some thoughts on my wonderful 2 trips to Belfast.
I remember meeting Johnny and his staff for the first time and feeling so at home. They made me feel like I was one of them, like they had known me forever and I was part of the team. As I began to meet the children that came to the ROCK Center it was obvious to me that the kids felt that same love from Johnny and his staff. Every child knew that they could come to the ROCK Center and have a good breakfast, talk about what was going on in their lives and most of all, feel the love of Jesus shining through the staff.
I was so amazed at how much the ROCK Center staff did on such little resources. They believe God will provide and He always does. Everyone was always so positive, grateful for all the things God has blessed them with.
Every day of my 2 trips that I spent in Belfast was amazing because I learned so much. I learned that Jesus’ love stretches across all religious boundaries-catholic or protestant, while we did our school assemblies. I learned that Jesus’ love is redemptive as we painted the ROCK Center wall that had been vandalized. I learned most of all, that Jesus’ love is all things to all people as we worked with Johnny and his team to meet whatever needs they saw in their community.
When I think about Johnny and my friends at the ROCK Center I can’t help but be overwhelmed at the thought of how they show Christ’s love in such real ways on a daily basis to all those who are in need. I treasure my memories of working at the ROCK Center and look forward to the day that I can return to be part of such an amazing work!
Heather Kirk
During my time working with Go Kidz I was constantly excited about being able to share the love of God so openly with so many children on a daily basis. Whether it was in the schools or at kids clubs with often over 300 children it was an incredible opportunity to serve God. Being in ministry was a perfect training ground for learning how to hear God's voice and trust Him. Now I am proud to be a part of Rock Community Church. It is a church which loves unconditionally, worships wholeheartedly and is devoted to reaching the lost. I am so thankful for an amazing Church family to bring my children up in.
Jenine Jamison
My journey with Rock community church and Go kidz has been full of love, laughter and opportunity to serve God in many different settings. From Panto to Breakfast club, from school assemblies to painting murals, it has been an amazing journey that I wouldn't change for the world. I truly believe that this group of people that God has called me to walk and work with are kingdom builders, history makers and God carriers. I am privileged to have a family like Rock and leaders like Jonny and Sharon. This group of people challenge me to go deeper and encourage me to serve harder, it is home and an inspiring place to be.
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