By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Church on The Rock.

It was a scorching summer afternoon at the A&W Root Beer Stand when a young man, fresh from his first year at Eston College in Saskatchewan, stepped up to a table and prayed for the deaf children he’d met at Wright‑Patman Lake. The light that flickered in his mind, he says, was the Holy Spirit, and within moments, the children were healed—a moment he would later call “phenomenal.”

From a Root‑Beer Stand to a Growing Congregation

The narrative of Church on the Rock begins with that spontaneous prayer and a handful of conversions in Texarkana. The speaker, recalling his own upbringing in the city, describes how the early gatherings outgrew their original location on Martin Luther King Boulevard and moved to Mall Drive during the Jesus movement. He credits the dedication of Dr. Lawrence Kennedy’s wife, Carl, for “getting the ball rolling” on that pivotal relocation.

These humble beginnings set the stage for a series of missionary trips and mentorships. Influential figures such as Ern Baxter, F.J. Kozik, and Mel Davis guided the speaker during his time in Canada, shaping his approach to evangelism and church planting. The speaker notes, “Twenty‑five kids went with me from that group up to Canada to study the Word of God,” underscoring the ripple effect of those early evangelistic efforts.

Key Partnerships and Leadership Decisions

As the church expanded, a pivotal relationship formed with Larry Lee, a pastor in Rockwall, Texas, who was then leading a ministry at Beverly Hills Baptist Church. After an initial phone call was rebuffed, Lee eventually traveled from Dallas to Texarkana, spending several weeks discussing church governance and planting strategies. The speaker reflects, “He said, ‘who are you?’ I said my little church in Texarkana… I told him prophetically what God told me.”

Despite invitations to become Lee’s associate in Dallas, the speaker chose to remain rooted in Texarkana, trusting that God’s plan for his local congregation was distinct. He later identified a pastor of “integrity” whose leadership would carry the church into its next phase. The speaker prophesies a vibrant future, saying, “young people are going to come, thousands of young people are going to come to this church, young children are going to grab it and fill this place.”

Vision, Outreach, and Financial Stewardship

The church’s 50th‑anniversary celebration highlighted both spiritual and practical milestones. A notable figure in the narrative is the reported $7.8 million allocated to outreach ministries, illustrating the congregation’s commitment to broader community service. The speaker emphasizes that such growth is not merely human effort: “the one who planted nor the one who watered is anything but only God… we are merely servants of God.”

In addition to financial stewardship, the church has embraced infrastructural expansion, adding a second story and planning for elevators to accommodate a growing membership. This physical growth mirrors the spiritual emphasis on foundational biblical truths, as the speaker references 1 Corinthians 3:10 and 2 Timothy 3:16 to underscore the importance of Scripture as the bedrock of the congregation’s mission.

Connecting Past, Present, and Future

Throughout the celebration, the speaker weaves together personal testimony, biblical exposition, and prophetic insight. He recalls his own difficult upbringing, describing himself as “a kid on the street without anything but God,” and uses that narrative to inspire the next generation. By invoking the story of Apollos and Paul, he reminds listeners that every believer contributes to the building of God’s people.

The concluding prayers and the distribution of free copies of his book, *Hold Steady*, serve as tangible reminders that the church’s story is still being written. The speaker’s final words—”May the Lord bless you… we love you”—encapsulate a community bound by faith, perseverance, and a shared destiny.

In an era where many churches struggle to retain relevance, Church on the Rock’s half‑century journey demonstrates how a combination of personal conviction, strategic partnerships, and unwavering reliance on divine guidance can sustain and expand a faith community.

The full episode of Church on The Rock is available on OBBM Network TV.