Local church to install new pastor

VERNON — Pastor Michael Rojas is on a mission.
Soon to be Commissioned Pastor of Christ Community Church, Oct. 23, Rojas said, his mission in Highland Lakes and the Vernon area is “to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching to the hearts of the people.”
Not only are he and his wife, Jackie, on a mission, but they are also a strong, loving couple, with a sense of humor and fun.
Recently, during the “Children's Message,” Rojas found out congregant Joey Mancini had won his football game, 20-0. Later, after sharing spiritual truths about suffering, he gave Mancini a big “High-5.”
During the same service, Dr. Fred Van Keuren sang a heartfelt, jazzy offertory, with left hand pounding on the piano. Rojas did not miss a beat before singing the “Doxology” and after Van Keuren had finished, he told Van Keuren, “Amen. That was groovy, baby!”
For several years, Christ Community Church searched for a new pastor, and Rojas filled in during that time. He said, during his first sermon to the church, he preached Joshua 1, where Moses dies, and God tells Joshua and the Israelites, “Be brave and courageous.” Rojas said, he encouraged the congregation to be brave, because God had already picked their future pastor, “Not knowing that whole time, that was me.”
Later, Rojas explained, he wants to address real life issues. He said, everyone is struggling through hard times, which is nothing new. However, he added, what is unique now, is a redefining of what is right and wrong, which started out morally and became social. He said, he is not an activist pastor, but believes his job is to shed the light of the Gospel into a dark world.
Rojas continued, he personally knows that darkness, because he was part of it for 38 years. He said, he believes the church is to be actively involved in the community, from a biblical perspective.
Rojas said, for 38 years he chased the pursuit of his own happiness: prominence, prestige, money, fame, and women. He added, he was blinded to how he affected others, while living for himself. He said, he gave the appearance of caring, when he really only cared about his best interest.
Rojas said, after someone reached out, loved, and led him to Christ, he realized how dark his life had been. He continued, from a worldly perspective, “I had it all;” however, from a biblical perspective, “I was morally and spiritually bankrupt. So, that's what I call darkness.”
He added, when one is called by Christ, one lives “Galatians 2:20, in faith to the Son of God, who gave Himself for us. The life I live now, I no longer live for myself, but I live for Him who gave His life for me.”
Rojas will be installed as Commissioned Pastor of Christ Community Church, Sunday, Oct. 23, 5 p.m. at Christ Community Church, Highland Lakes, with reception to follow at The George Inn.