Click HERE to read an article about THE ROCK'S first anniversary

The Rock is open on Saturday evenings 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM.  for students in the 6th to 12th grade.

Call 247-3393 for more information.

The ROCK

"I wanted you to know that I think it is a great thing for the Tyler area, and I wish it had been around when I was in Jr. High and High School!...I see how much of a difference an environment like that can make.   Thanks for your efforts."

-West DesMoines, Iowa

Keep watching the paper, our web site, and the display in our store window for more information about THE ROCK.   AND KEEP PRAYING!

• provide a fun facility that is tobacco, drug and alcohol free.
• provide a wholesome alternative to existing recreation and entertainment.
• empower lives to change, by focusing on Jesus Christ as the source of one's foundational needs of identity, acceptance, security and significance.
• cultivate friendships and respectful attitudes and behavior towards others
• promote community service, not out of compulsion but from appreciation.
• promote sexual abstinence until marriage, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, and to build positive self esteem.
• engage volunteers who commit themselves to live by and mentor the virtues and character of Jesus Christ in their public and private life.

The Rock Celebrates One Year Of Ministry For Tyler Area Youth
by Richard Siemers

TYLER - What started as a dream has become a solid part of Tyler’s main street scene on Saturday night. Between 6:00 and 11:00 p.m., about 50 youth (on average) will be playing basketball or carpet ball or just hanging out with friends at The Rock Christian Youth Center.

On a recent Saturday night, youth and adult volunteers milled through the large area utilizing just about every piece of equipment. Others sat with a can of pop and visited.

“The Rock is the best place to hang out,” said sixth-grader Joy Roelofs, as she played air hockey with Jasmine Jackman. Joy comes every Saturday night to spend time with friends.

Others were shooting pool, playing carpet ball or three-on-three basketball. Four high school youth battled it out in box hockey. Matt Schelhaas, Hannah Jorgensen, Tim Schreier, and Matt Gordon took turns at the game.

“There’s lot to do here and it’s fun,” Schreier said. “And it keeps you out of trouble.”

Matt Gordon had another take on the value of The Rock.

“It’s one place you can go and have fun and pray at the same time,” Gordon said. Does he spend time praying at The Rock? “No,” Gordon replied, “but you could if you wanted to.”

That speaks well of the atmosphere that can be found at the youth center, and fits well with the description which Pastor Wayde Kenneke gave at a recent appreciation dinner for The Rock’s volunteers. Kenneke, chairman of the board that oversees The Rock’s operation, reviewed the youth center’s history.

A dream is all it was, because there was no money and no building. Then came a man whom Kenneke described as “not rich in material goods but rich in love for God and good deeds.” He gave Kenneke $10,000 and said, “Start something.”

With money in the bank, a board was formed to make plans. That original group consisted of Kenneke, Tom Behrens, Norma Klingler, Dean Wyatt, and Todd Finlo. Ron Skjong has since filled Finlo’s place on the board.

The board had its eye on a main street location - the former furniture store. It was vacant and for sale, but beyond their financial means. So they kept looking and meeting throughout 2001, asking themselves what kind of place they wanted the youth center to be.

The words of Jesus in Matthew 14:47 crystallized their thoughts. That’s where Jesus tells the story of two builders. One built on sand and paid the price when flood waters washed the house down. The other built on a rock and survived the storms.

Fearful of losing what they thought was the best place and wondering if they could offer a down payment and somehow figure out how to pay the rest, Kenneke called Linda Watson, the building’s owner. She lives and works in the Twin Cities. The message he got from Watson was not what he expected.

I’ve been thinking,” Watson told Kenneke. “I like the idea [of a youth center]. How about if I give the building to you.”

In October 2002, Linda Watson officially handed over the former Utoft-Johansen furniture store building to The Rock’s board.

“Then the work started,” Kenneke said.

Volunteers cleaned out the building and did some remodeling. The Senior Citizens Center donated two pool tables. Two more pool tables were received, as well as foosball, air hockey, table tennis, tables and chairs. In March 2003, The Rock opened for business on Saturday nights. About 50 sixth through 12th graders came each week, with 112 filling the place one night.

This past fall, third through fifth graders were invited to come in from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

“They were always on the outside looking in,” Kenneke said. “Some would sneak in, so we decided to invite them to come in.”

Fifteen adults volunteer to work on nights The Rock is open. Teen volunteers also help behind the counter where youth sign in and out, purchase snacks, and check out equipment. One of the teen volunteers, Rebecca Betterndorf, spoke at the appreciation dinner.

 “I have been through a lot,” Bettendorf said. “I wanted kids to learn to know other people and respect them, and get to know God. Even though you have been through a lot you will still have miracles in your life.”

Stacy Fritz is the mother of two children who patronize The Rock. She told the group that she was pleased there is such a place in town for her children to go to.

“It’s a fun place for them to go, and it’s safe,” Fritz said.

The Rock’s primary purpose is to provide a gathering spot for youth on Saturday night, but that mission is expanding. Area Lutheran churches have used it for combined confirmation class activities. Pipestone County 4-H Ambassadors and Ivanhoe Girl Scouts have met there. In April it will be the site of the RTR After Prom Party. The Rock has also opened as a warm-up place on Browser Night, and hosted the Christmas Box Project this past December.

The Rock’s board has more dreams waiting for financial support. They would like to get a grant to provide part-time job experience for some youth. They need to build new bathrooms, and want to remodel the basketball room to include volleyball. While they make a small amount of money on the concession stand, their primary support still comes from donations by churches, organizations, and individuals.

But the initial dream is already on solid ground, providing a needed service to the youth of the community. It has come about due to gifts, including the gift of time from volunteers.

“It would never be able to happen if we didn’t have people who volunteered and gave of their time and money,” Kenneke told the dinner crowd. “So on behalf of the board we say ‘Thank You’ [to you volunteers], and thanks to the community for receiving us.”

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