Rob Roozeboom
https://www.riseministries.com/
Read T4J’s review of Rob’s book Broken Still Chosen here
T4JYM: Broken Still Chosen was an amazing read that was full of inspiration and encouragement. Why did you decide to write this book?
RR: Broken Still Chosen was an 18 year wrestling match back and forth with God on feeling unloved, unseen and forgotten and after hearing from others wrestling in similar ways it was time to write the book. The message I was hoping for was simply to point people to Jesus as they navigate adversity in their life.
T4JYM: Some of our readers may be unfamiliar with RISE Ministries. Could you share a little about the ministry and its goals and outreach?
RR: RISE Ministries is a ministry that God put on my heart 23 years ago as I was finishing up college and taking some Bible classes. It was in these classes that the Bible became so real to me and I thought I wonder how many others don’t realize all that God was and is doing through broken people who say, “yes” to Him? I wanted people to know that Almighty God loves them and wants a relationship with them. Our vision is to reach and inspire every community through the transforming hope in Jesus through our annual Christian Music Festival – RiseFest, our night of hope through storytelling and music, our Christmas and Good Friday programs, and now Broken Still Chosen.
T4JYM: What’s next? Between writing, speaking, RISE, and RISE Fest, you have so much going on! What is next for you and your ministry?
RR: We have 5 cities we’re bringing Rise with Rob & Friends to, which is our Night of Hope through storytelling and music. RiseFest is praying about reaching 25,000+ festival-goers to break a dark record from 101 years ago. We are scheduling filming for our Christmas program for 2024 and planning other events, and who knows, maybe another book!!
T4JYM: I am sure you have met your fair share of big names thanks to your speaking engagements and RISE Fest. Who are some of the people you have met and what impact did they have on you?
RR: Yes, that has been a real blessing. Speakers that I have met that impacted me include – Ken Davis, John Maxwell, and the late comedian Jerry Lewis also had an impact on me after meeting him. Another one would be Jon Gordon.
As far as artists go meeting Bart Millard of MercyMe was great. Those who have spoken into my life and have blessed me include – Darren Mulligan from We Are Messengers, Luke Smallbone from For King & Country, Jason Gray, Ben Fuller, Mike Donehey and TobyMac.
T4JYM: Please share a short testimony of how you came to know Jesus.
RR: It was at a Christian event call DC91. I was a freshman and traveled to Washington, D.C. with thousands of other kids from across the country. If I remember right DC Talk was there along with Ken Davis and I believe Ken gave the gospel to receive Christ and I found myself responding even though I resisted at first. It was shortly after going down front and responding that they asked us to go into another room to pray with someone and the first person to meet me out of hundreds was my volunteer youth leader. And when she first saw me, she said, “We’ve been praying for this day.” Me being a punk kid responded with, “I never asked you to.” Although I accepted Christ that day, I was still hurting and it would take years to really understand how much He loved me.
T4JYM: What does a typical day look like for you?
RR: Each day is different, but it can be filled with meetings, phone calls, emails, travel and making plans for upcoming travel, doing radio interviews, working on the RiseFest grounds or going over with team members what needs to be done on the RF grounds.
T4JYM: Who is someone you look up to and why?
RR: I have a really good friend, Jay, who is an unbelievable servant who wants to add value to others everyday. He has inspired me in so many ways and always reminds me as John Maxwell says, “Add value to others everyday.” That’s why I look up to him because he inspires me to really notice others.
T4JYM: If you could spend only 30 minutes with Jesus, what would it look like?
RR: I think the first few minutes would simply be me sitting in awe that I’m with Jesus! Then I would ask questions about all kinds of things and I’m sure I’d ask, “Am I doing ok, living the way you meant?” Then I’d just love to sit with Him and listen.
T4JYM: If you could meet any person – past, present, or future – who would it be and why?
RR: If I could meet any person I think it would be Peter. I’d love to hear from Peter what it was like to be one of Jesus’ disciples and how he kept going even when it was hard. I’d also love to meet Abraham Lincoln and ask him how he did it. How did he find it within himself to fight for what was right even though it would cost him his life?
T4JYM: What was the last book you read? Do you have a favorite book you go back to every now and then to read once again?
RR: The last book I read was Broken Still Chosen, as I read it for the audio book. But two of my favorite books are Bob Goff Love Does and Beginner’s Pluck by Liz Forkin Bohannan
T4JYM: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
RR: Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. I think it sums it up pretty well.
T4JYM: Do you ever get nervous when sharing the Gospel with someone? Do you get nervous at speaking engagements or conferences?
RR: Yes, I get nervous both at sharing the gospel and at speaking engagements.
T4JYM: Help our aspiring writers out a bit… What was your process for writing your book?
RR: I used a writer to help me – Kathy, who has become a friend and it was such a blessing. As we began she would ask me questions similar to this process and I found that so extremely helpful because I wasn’t just staring at a blank screen, but digging deeper into my thoughts and feelings. Our editor was also so helpful in pushing me to write True For You sections that were Biblically based along with ending each chapter with a prayer.
T4JYM: What would you say to someone interested in publishing their work?
RR: Do it. It can be a daunting process and there may even be times where you don’t want to share it with the public as you get closer to finishing, but if you feel God is leading you don’t squash His voice.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?
RR: The most important decision in your life is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and to then share that with those around you! Remember God used teenagers to change the world through the gospel of His Son, Jesus!
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