Resources
Ways to Support the Mission of Rock River Retreat
We've taken steps of obedience to a calling at Rock River, depending upon God along the way to provide for our needs. God's provision has been so faithful and timely in our three years of operation. We are still dependent on the support of God's people. Making our ministry
accessible to God's people and His church is a high value. As such, our fees are low and not intended to completely support the operations of Rock River. There are three ways that you can strategically support the ministry of Rock River.
Legacy Giving ..... making an impact for generations to come.
The Freedom Fund
The Freedom Fund has two simple goals: 1) Liquidate the $500, 000 mortgage on our campus and 2) create a million dollar operating endowment to secure long-term financial and ministry freedom for Rock River. Often missional organizations start out with a clear vision that is compromised over time because they feel pressure to generate revenue. We desire the freedom to keep our mission clear, rates low and maximize access to Rock River's campus and programs.
Campus Development Fund
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Lakefront We'd like to enhance the access and use of our 3 1/2 acre timber pond by improving access by foot and car while providing a perimeter trail around the pond and a generous deck with a screened in gazebo to provide a place to enjoy the views and diverse wildlife year round. This project will also be devoted to preserving the resource the lake provides for fish and wildlife.
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Nature trails Our one hundred acre campus featuring over 73 acres of woods hugs the picturesque Boone River. We have a good start on a perimeter trail that would allow people to stroll along the Boone River and walk through the woods into the two meadows on the back of the campus. Primitive hikers have enjoyed seeing owls, coyotes, hawks, deer, otters, beavers PLUS all kinds of wild flowers on hikes, yet we want to open these views to more people of all ages and abilities. A gift to the trail fund will help with trail development, helping us strategically place signs and benches to help others enjoy the beautiful spot God has given to Rock River.
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Barn Renovation The first structure on our campus was a barn that was constructed in 1992. It is a wonderful building that we hope will someday soon become a meeting space for groups from 30-70 people. Though we can house 36 people on our campus, meeting and dining space for group that size is pretty tight. For a gift of $15, 000 to 20,000, we can completely renovate the interior of our barn into a wonderfully rustic meeting and dining space with a great view of our 3 1/2 acre lake. This is a wonderful family legacy project that would enhance Rock River's mission to churches and other organizations.
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Chapel in the Woods We'd love to provide a place in the woods overlooking our Boone River frontage where people could get out of the elements and sit with their Bible or journal, and spend an hour or even a half day with God. This chapel would also be a perfect three season small group breakout or break away gathering place.
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Annual Support--100 Friends of Rock River
One of the highest values for our ministry is accessibility. We want people needing a sabbath place to be able to use Rock River. To operate the Rock River campus and programs requires the generousity of friends The 100 Friends of Rock River campaign is an effort to raise an annual operating subsidy of $50,000 to allow us to keep our programs accessible, our rates affordable and our campus in pristine condition. 100 friends giving an average gift of $500 would make a huge difference in our ministry. For more information on how to become a friend of Rock River, contact Larry Austin at laustin@rockriverretreat.org.
In-Kind Gifts
Year one of the story that God is writing at Rock River is built upon in-kind gifts of material and labor. When we had nothing but dreams and elbow grease, we received some catalytic gifts of materials that helped give birth to our Guest House. We can always use gifts of materials and craftsmanship for any of the projects above or for the following...
- Artwork for our lodge, guest house or barn.
- Benches for our trail system.
- Signage for our trail system that would allow us to strategically weave scripture into the outdoor settings at Rock River.
- Gifts of books that would augment the library we are seeking to build.
- Audio visual equipment for small conferences and retreats.
- Tools for our new shop.
- Equipment for the maintenance of our campus like lawn spreaders and weed eaters.
If you have something you think Rock River can use, give us a call at 515-832-2818.
