Welcome to Rocky

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote these words in his “Cost of Discipleship” back in 1937. While that may seem grim, Bonhoeffer understood that the call of God on a person was something that should be all-consuming. Fittingly, Bonhoeffer would eventually lose his life in a Nazi concentration camp. His work in the German underground church led to his eventual death, and branded him a martyr.

That word, “martyr,” is an interesting one. It did not initially mean someone who died for belief. Instead, the original meaning of the word is “witness.” A martyr was (and is) someone who bore witness to the world about Jesus. When Bonhoeffer talks about being called to “come and die” he understands that the call of God on the life of every Christian is to die to self so that God might be everything. When we lay down our lives, literally or figuratively, we are saying to the rest of the world that, with Paul, it is “no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.” We are saying to the world that we are not important, but that our Lord is! We are no longer kings and queens of our own lives, because one who is infinitely more worthy sits in that space.

In the book of Acts, Jesus places a call on his disciples: “you will be my witnesses.” In the Greek, Jesus says “you will be my martyrs.” His call to his closest friends was they would lay down their egos, set aside their personal dreams and aspirations, and eventually give up their lives for the sake of their Master.

Jesus places the same call on his disciples today. We Christians are called by God to be witnesses, martyrs, to the goodness of God in Christ, to his reconciling power, and to God’s incredible plan to redeem this world and make all things right and new. All we have to do is die! When we die to all those things that are self-centered, we allow the Lord of Creation to shine through, and we live into the calling placed on us by Almighty God.

This month, Rocky Mountain College is asking our friends and supporters to join us in “equipping the called.” We serve men and women who have heard God’s call to be witnesses and we labour to equip them as best as we can for the work ahead. I’m asking that you would consider a financial gift toward the end of “equipping the called.” Help us build into these called men and women for the benefit of God’s Kingdom and the spread of the Gospel. I’m looking forward to being amazed by what God does with your gifts.

All the best,

President Rev. Dr. Mike Swalm

Hello everyone; I pray that you are looking forward to a new school year at RMC.

My name is Jason Ottmann, and I graduated from Rocky in the Youth Leadership program in 2011. When I was done at RMC, I was a youth pastor for three years in a small town, and prior to that, I served on many summer camps and volunteered with different churches in a number of roles.

When I first started at a small-town church, my dream and my goal was to start a family, move to that small town, and be a difference maker within the community. My desire was to fulfill a meaningful purpose to serve there. But in life, there are moments where change happens and I experienced a dismissal from a church role where I did not understand the context of it.

Rocky Mountain College equips you for biblical and sound teachings; but a lesson I learned is to learn outside the classroom too. If you are blessed enough to take in a four-year program, I would highly recommend for you to seek out a church that you can volunteer in once you start your first semester. The sooner you can get involved in a church, the sooner you can have a reference to your practicum or intern at a later point. Much more important, the sooner you can develop lasting relationships, and know that down the road, the Holy Spirit will guide you through them.

Currently, I am serving at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon, and I have worked as a forklift driver in the north industrial side in Saskatoon for the last five years. My faith has been the same in my walk at this warehouse job as it has been when I was a Youth Pastor, as I am the same believer and hold true to the principle that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Rocky has done so many things well, and I am so thankful for my education as I have continued my life with words like “Every day you learn something new” (Joyce Peasgood) and “Thanks for being here” (Kerry Belt). Both professors I loved and cherished in my time at Rocky.

Please, continue in His love and His presence; and while you do so - know that the community you desired to be with are members of your family, friends, and people who genuinely love you.

All the best,

Jason

Our 3 and 4 year Leadership Development programs are intended for individuals who sense God’s call to Christian ministry, or who wish to establish a foundation of Bible and theology on which to build a lay ministry. These degrees permit students to choose from a range of study options to suit their own needs!

One of RMC's strengths is its multi-denominational character which makes it possible for students to interact with people from a wide spectrum of Christian thought and practice.

To read more about our Multi Denominational Policy:

Your donation to Rocky Mountain College directly empowers students to achieve their goals and create lasting impact in their communities. With your support, we can continue to foster Christian education, growth, and leadership for tomorrow’s trailblazers. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps shape the future of higher learning and transforms lives.

• Pray that more men and women would hear God’s call and take the step of faith required to be equipped at Rocky Mountain College

• Pray that our staff and education team would be ready to equip the called

• Pray that God would provide immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine as we seek to obey Him