a family of believers in Norristown |
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Know God : Love God : Live God |
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Team
Cameron & Jessica Cheke - Pastor
Henry Oestreich - Teen Youth Director
When I think of my life, to a certain extent I cannot remember a time when I was not a Christian. I was saved around six years old after hearing God's word during Sunday School at Berachah Church. I went home and asked my mother about it, she explained it thoroughly to me and there I was saved. During my school days I remember hard times where I felt like I was not a Christian, just because of the horrible things I did, but I feel as though God used those times to bring about a passion inside of me to draw closer to Him every day.
I am a "Philly" boy, born in Philadelphia and raised in the close suburbs; I have always loved this area and the people who inhabit it. My family and I have attended Church of the Open Door from my 6th grade through 12th grade. I absolutely love COD, especially the youth group there. Some of my fondest memories are the youth group's retreats, activities and people. It's funny to think about now, but while there, our youth pastor/director changed three times, and every time the youth guy asked me, "Have you ever considered being a youth pastor?" I would always say, "No. That's not for me" and let it go at that. Around 11th or 12th grade, I realized that the reason I loved going to church was to hang out with friends, which is not bad, but, I made that my sole purpose and completely rejected the main purpose; to learn and worship God with other believers. So, I needed to change.
Around that time Cameron Cheke led the music for the youth group, and I was the sound guy. So just by our positions, we got to know each other very well (aka. me complaining that we could not hear him because he was too far away from the mic). He felt God leading him to start Rise Up Church and for some reason I was drawn to that new church. God was working in me. He was giving me this desire to radically change my life, by changing churches. So I prayed about it, talked to my Mom and Cameron about it, and have been here as the sound guy from the beginning.
As the church grew and more teens began showing up, conversation sprouted about a youth group for them. I told Cameron I would love to be a helper/leader in the youth group. Some time went by and with the lack of a director and the growth of the number of teens, the importance of this group became all the more evident. Again God was working in me; He gave me the desire to lead the group. Again a lot of talk and prayer went into this, but I knew that it was God telling me to take this challenge. I was really out of my comfort zone through all of this, I had this uncanny sense of peace and comfort. Not from anyone who I talked to, but from God. That is how I knew it was from Him and not a crazy thought of my own. So in January we started Rise Up Church Youth Group. And let me just say that on a personal standpoint, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. My ambition is to love all like God loved us and to share the good news of Gospel.
Deric & Jessica Cheke - Music & Children's Director
Deric was born into a Christian home. I realized at a very young age that I was a sinner and could not earn heaven on my own. I accepted Christ as the only one who could save me from my sin and bring eternal life. From that day until now I have never doubted that if I were to die I would go straight into the arms of Jesus to live forever. I have had the blessing of God on my life since then and have never regretted the decision I made on that day! Jessica was also born into a Christian home. Strangely enough at the age of four I was bothered by my sin. Somehow God allowed me understand and see myself as a sinner and in need of a Savior. I knew my parents believed they were going to heaven and had forgiveness from their sins. One day I asked my mom to show me how I could have forgiveness and eternal life. My parents sat down with me and showed me that Jesus' death on the cross paid for my sins, and all I had to do was accept His free gift. Today my goal is to get to know my God.
Ephesians 3:17 "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." |