The ROC: Love In Its Purest Form
March 26, 2009
I had an opportunity to visit the Richmond Outreach Center (better known as “The ROC”) this past weekend. One of my friends had been invited to come check it out, so I went along. Up until last fall, I had visited several different churches since leaving my original church. This wasn’t one of those kinds of “scouting out” visits. I’ve found my church home at Redemption Hill. This was more of a place I had always heard about and just wanted to visit.
I went to the Saturday night service. They call it “Six O’Clock ROC.” I’d say that summarizes it pretty well. When I got to The ROC, congregation members were lining the sidewalk on both sides, shaking everyone’s hands as they entered the building. When I walked in to the huge, packed-out auditorium, I was almost overwhelmed. I don’t think I’ve ever been to as big a church as this one.
As the music started, I could tell there was something different about this place. Now I used to go to a very contemporary church, but this place definitely takes it a step beyond that. The first song was “Dig In” by Lenny Kravitz. It had modified spiritual lyrics. The band rocked it out. It was awesome. As the service went on, there was more rock, rap, and some southern gospel sprinkled in. I could tell these people were fired up!
But what I really started to notice as the sermon began was just how loving this church community is. Here I sat in a big auditorium filled with people from every different race, nationality, and walk of life, and yet none of it amounted to a grain of salt. This was a church community that was blind to all those labels we tend to put on people, whether conscious or subconcious.
Now granted this was my first time visiting, it would only be fair to say I should come a few more times before I draw any conclusions. But in that same respect, I feel like this isn’t a place where that kind of investigation would be required because it really is that transparent. This congregation treats everyone as their brothers and sisters in Christ, and that, my friends, is quite simply love in its purest form. I gotta admit it, the whole thing made me a little teary-eyed during the service. It was just overwhelming.
The impact this church is making blew my mind. The founder of the church, Pastor G., said there were over 950 people saved over the past two weeks before my visit. That’s incredible. I think the reason for those large numbers is because of just how much the church community steps out and goes where most people wouldn’t think of going. They work with local and state police to get kids off the streets and go into the projects and work with families to make a difference. They’re just sharing love of Christ. That’s the only way to put it.
I have a wonderful family of friends at Redemption Hill and feel that God has called me to that church. I’ll write more soon about just how much that place has touched my life. It’s definitely where I’m staying. But I’m definitely going to visit The ROC now and then to experience the wonderful work God is doing in Richmond through this group of people! They have church on Saturday nights anyway.
I’ve been to the ROC before. Amazing place. I actually have a great story about a guy I grew up in youth group with, who strayed away from God, got heavy into drugs and felt unloved by his church. A couple years later he was invited to ROC, got back on his feet and clean, and has been serving at the ROC for a couple years now. The love and support of God through that community turned his life around!
Next time you’re thinking about going, let me know. It’d be great to join you.
I am a member of The ROC and I don’t think you could have said it any better!!! I love all the people at The ROC and they change your life in so many ways. God is truely working in that place and no matter who goes to The Richmond Outreach Center or not… JESUS is the one who does all the amazing things there
It’s all about Him! It’s an awesome place to be though and once you do get involved and go there more, it only gets BETTER! God Bless You (:
I actually love The Roc!! My mom had started me going there and the only reason why I do not go as often as I want is because my husband is being fed at another church and the Bible says to follow the Head (being my husband)But the Roc is awesome and no matter what other churches try and say the Spirit of the anointing is in that place!!
Tomica
I have been to the Roc twice, the second time as a support to a friend who was there on the ground level to help out the first day of the Spanish Service. Seeing her excitement during the service and the generosity of the people with their time and talent has really moved me. I am fluent in Spanish and would like to humbly offer my help with translation if needed (I teach at a local High School). Thanks for all you do!
Blessings,
Seanne W-D
I could go to maybe 200 or 300 churches and hear a great sermon preached on any given sunday but The ROC is the one place I can go and witness a great sermon every week. As St Francis said ” preach the gospel always , use words when necessarry.” I was saved at the old warehouse (The ROC’s original location) years ago and I love the fact that as we grew that same love that you spoke of is still alive and well. I thank God for Pastor G and his awesome staff and I am truly blessed to be a small part of such an awesome congregation. God Bless. Gregg
Trevor First I would like to thank you for this. I’m a member of the ROC and also a Soulwinning Soldier there. Everything you said was great and on point on what we do at the ROC.
I would like to invite you to come visit us on a saturday morning. We bus in 800 plus kids from the inner city. We give them their own service geared just to them. It is so amazing to be able to reach out to the kids and give them our love and show them how much JESUS loves them.
Trevor,
It’s interesting that The ROC averages 70 first time visitors every week, and it is always great to hear comments from visitors regarding their experience at The ROC. Your blog was well written and described so well your personal perspective from your first time visit. As a long time friend, supporter, and now member of The ROC, I greatly appreciate your description. I so agree with your comments, and one of the things I love most about The ROC is that it gives us a little glimpse of what Heaven looks like with so much diversity and unconditional love for all. Is The ROC perfect? Of course not, but it is some kind of wonderful to be a part of seeing broken lives changed and healed, and people discovering the joy of serving and blessing others. I have lived in Richmond for almost 50 years, and I know The ROC is making a difference in our city. We look forward to having you visit as often as possible. If you are not subscribed to The ROC Hotline, just send me an email and I will subscribe you, so you can keep up with what’s happening and join us sometime for an outreach or special project!
I was hooked on Jesus the second I walked into the old building. We have been praying for any way to get more involved.
The ROC helps guides our thurst in the quest to know Jesus. When life gets confused, We travel over a 125 miles to get our shot of the ROC.
I Have been attenting the ROC for about three years now have been a member for over Two. I am 62 years old, been to many differnet Churches heard a lot of sermons, but there is no place like the Roc. This is the most Holy Spirt, Loving, giving GOD blessed place I have ever been too. I cannot wait to go every Sat. Every Thursday and any outreach or dinner I can help with. I live an hour away and it is worth every inch I travel. THANK YOU JESUS
I also visited the ROC for the first time just a few weeks ago….I am active in a well known motorcycle ministry, but felt compeled to ride down with my pastor and two other close brothers on a warm weekend recently, we were blessed by the way God is moving at the ROC. Our own Church’s motto is “Know, Grow, and Go” sometimes it is hard to get Churches to do the “Go” part, but the ROC most definatly has caught the vision…
This message is in response to Seanne, the local Spanish teacher!
We would actually be very honored if you would like to help us!
Translation services is something that we would like to provide for the community in the near future.
If you are interested still, please contact the ROC office, you can leave a message for me, or angie!!!
thanks so much!!!
Be Blessed
Sorry to burst your bubble. You should look up Rickross.com I know, I’ll will be called a hater
or a backslider, or a minion of satan…..but I am not..I am trying to wake up people to this Roc thing…Something came up in 2005 with the comments started there at Rickross.com. Yes this is a cult watch thing. I am so sorry it has come to this, with all the good deeds Pastor G. has done
for the City, I had to investigate it further. WOW…My god please wake up to this business of selling Jesus. It just is not right. He is Holding back what he truely is. This Roc thing is great and I wish the democratically elected board members all the luck. But their isn’t any Democracy in this church. Its a meglomaniac at large….me me me…..
Yep I was a member of this church too but somebody memtioned Rickross.com and BOOOM. Their went all what I had beleived in right out the window…..There is two sides to any coin. Be objective
and read all the comments about the roc, it might take some time. But well worth it.
I just don’t want Youth to be snowed like I was.
good luck and god bless
‘