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From the archives (Sis. Mary L. Mitchell, historian) we have the history of Solid Rock Bible Church; a local body “born out of faith, prayer, blood, sweat and tears;” finally emerging on July 1, 1989, an infant with the need for constant nurturing. “The nurturing took the form of prayer meetings, Bible study and warm Christian fellowship in the home of Reverend and Sister Willis S. Mitchell. Our other regular attendants were Brother and Sister Brent McDonald and Sis. Diane A. Mitchell. There were others who did not attend mid-week but were regular on Sundays. Our prayer meetings and Bible studies started in June before we knew where we would meet on Sundays.”

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After looking for a site for worship service and being turned down by many, it was determined that the enclosed patio of the Mitchell’s home would be transformed into the Chapel. “The first service was held on the first Sunday on July 1, 1989. Pastor Willis S. Mitchell preached from the text, “Building on the Rock,” Luke 6:47-49 and what a glorious fellowship we had. We were hot, but not too hot to enjoy the exhilaration we felt that day and for days to come. To God be the Glory!” Sadly, many of the parishioners of that Sunday morning have gone on to Glory.

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The charter members of the Solid Rock Bible Church were Pastor Willis S. Mitchell, Sister Mary L. Mitchell, Brother Brent L. McDonald, and Sister Diane A. Mitchell. Sadly, two of those members (Bro. Brent L. McDonald and Sis. Mary L. Mitchell) have transitioned from Earth to Glory, awaiting our entrance! They cheer for us from the gates of heaven.

 

During that first year: two young ladies confessed salvation but only one has completed Discipleship Class and been baptized. Sunday School and Morning Worship Services were held every Sunday except two (inclement weather).

 

Family and Friends Day (Homecoming) was observed on September 24, 1989; Military Appreciation Day was observed on November 12, 1989. We were able to assist two families during the flood; and adopted a family for Christmas.  What a Mighty God we serve!

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Our first afternoon service was held on the first Sunday in April (4/1/1990) at the Acts Baptist Church where Reverend Ollie Miller is Pastor. The guest church was the Greater First Baptist Church of Cedar Creek and Pastor N. P. Brodie. Vacation Bible School was held June 11-15, 1990; we set up that Sunday afternoon and began in earnest on Monday morning, starting with 5 children and ending the week with 18. The VBS workers, (Pastor and Sis. Mary L. Mitchell and Sis. JoAnn Lee) were exhausted by the end of the week. The young people really worked them! 

 

Our first Founder’s Day celebration was held July 8, 1990; a year after the planting of the Solid Rock Bible Church.  We had a weekend celebration, Saturday, July 7, 1990, a banquet was held at the Green Tree Inn (from 7- 9pm) on Ramsey Street and the speaker was Mr. Wilbert  A. Walker, Jr.. Sunday, July 8, 1990, the afternoon (4:00 pm) proclaimer of God’s Word was Pastor Allen McLauchlin and the New Life Bible Church. We did not have a large chapel; Acts Baptist Church and Pastor Ollie Miller (transitioned from earth to Glory in 2015) graciously allowed us to use their edifice.

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“God has blessed us to acquire a parcel of land on Muscat Road in Hope Mills, North Carolina and the preliminary drawing of the church is available.”  The year has been long but most rewarding and we would not change it for anything. Through it all, we learned to trust in God and to depend upon His Word. Yes, we’ve come this far by faith and faith will lead us on.”

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Our mission has expanded, our campus has grown, our technology is moving forward, our hearts continually yearn to do God’s will and be the vehicle he has chosen for such a  time as this. We have been blessed to support several missionaries: Brother Bruno in Haiti, The Hamptons (Wycliffe Translators/Thailand/DC) abroad and some local missions. By God’s grace and mercy we own two debt free buildings, the main sanctuary and the Mitchell Fellowship Building. As the Mitchell Fellowship Building was under construction, Pastor Mitchell served as the General Contractor and Rev. Jaime Saunders was the architect and engineer. This building was dedicated in 2010. The Fellowship Building has been used to provide meals to seniors, the community, back to school events, meals following a service, receptions etc.  In 2013, we technologically advanced (Pastor Hodges); created a Facebook site and our dear Brother Seth Quarmine has us on YouTube; eventually you will be able to Instagram, tweet and use whatever the other mediums of media are available to get the Word of God out to those who might not otherwise come to church and for those who do come but wish to review and reflect. The first monitor was a donation by the planting Pastor and subsequent monitors were purchased.  Just look at God! He does such marvelous things.

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Celebratory days, we have enjoyed a few over the years: each young person had his/her special graduate reception, recognizing their achievement, high school graduation, a milestone. We also acknowledged their college graduation, Pastor Anniversaries, First Lady Day, Clergy Appreciation, Education Day, Back to School with Jesus weekend, Family and Friends Day, Grandparents Day, etc. Many of the celebrations included a scrumptious meal, at the Rock, we enjoy good food and fellowship!

 

The work of the Lord has moved beyond this building; Harold Blake, a son of the Church has preached and taught in many places. He loves God’s word and does a fantastic job teaching. Gregory Brewster, a former deacon and Wanda Brewster, former Sunday School and VBS teacher have accepted the call to preach God’s Word. Danielle N. Harrison, daughter of the church and granddaughter of the planting Pastor, along with a friend, has started a Feeding Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina called "Hearts4Change."  As you experience the journey, you don’t know all that God will do in the lives of the people.

 

Our family circle has only been broken four times in 26 years, Brother James Jones, a double amputee, who always said “I’m standing on the promises of God.” Brother Jerry Parker, when he finally accepted Christ he became zealous for the Word. Brother Brent McDonald, a charter member, and a devout student of God’s Word and a dynamite teacher. “Sister Mary” (Mary L. Mitchell, First Lady) as she was affectionately called is the only woman in this short list. She wore many hats; church clerk, historian, mother, friend, confidante, encourager, cook, and prayer warrior.

 

Pastor Willis S. Mitchell informed the church body that he was going to retire (2007) from fulltime pastoral duties but not from proclaiming God’s truth; that was difficult for the body to initially comprehend. It was a difficult decision for him as well. But, it was a certainty! A retirement banquet was held, September 2010; it was a grand occasion. We celebrated “the Man, the Mission and the Vision.”  Reverend Ivory E. Swann, Pastor of the Second Missionary Baptist Church proclaimed the word at the banquet and his topic was, “God’s Plowboy.” Pastor Willis S. Mitchell preached that Sunday morning with the topic, “Fare Ye Well, Fare Ye Well, Solid Rock." Retirement was official and Pastor Emeritus status was conferred upon the Church Planter, Willis S. Mitchell.

 

We struggled with that idea; but we finally grasped the concept and all the work that it entailed. The Search Committee was organized and began the arduous task of seeking another under shepherd. It is indeed a difficult job and requires much prayer and meditation as you seek the Lord’s will. We experienced many proclaimers; our first interim position was the Reverend Skip Walker (2011 – 2012), a Fayetteville native. A year later, we had to resume the Search Committee and start afresh. Reverend Yvonne Hodges, also a Fayetteville native, has been dutifully and diligently serving the flock as interim Pastor (2012- 2013).

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She was installed (September 2014) as the first Pastor to be called and officially installed at the Rock since the Planting Pastor’s retirement.  During 2013, we upgraded the phone system, and purchased the first new computer.  We created and sent mailings about the church to aid in our evangelistic efforts. Church members have gone canvassing, sharing the Gospel message and inviting people to Jesus Christ (2015).  The Lord has blessed and we established a Food Bank in November (2014); this has been a tremendous blessing for this community. In 2014, we were able to serve 51 households, 181 individuals received food, and 1,895 pounds of food was distributed.  During 2015, 441 households were served, 1,238 individuals received food, 11 new households were added monthly and 18,266 pounds of food was distributed.  We were busy workers in 2015, we acquired or upgraded some other items that would enhance the ministries of “The Rock”, printer, another computer, chairs for the sanctuary, freezer, (donation by Mr. Danny Gaddy), and an area for taping and projecting onto the monitors was created.  Two members, Ministers Paul and Valinda Jackson, completed ordination class, (Summer 2015) and were ordained by the Union Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. in October 2015. Look at God!  He is worthy to be praised.

 

February 2015, “The Songs of a People” was presented by the Heritage Restoration Chorale under the direction of Mrs. Denise Payton. March 2015 we had our first Women’s Conference, how magnificent, people are still talking about that service!  We look forward to presenting another one and allowing the Lord to mightily bless women. The Falcon Children’s Home and Choir have rendered music for our Children’s Day celebration, June 2014 and 2015. This year, (2015), we congratulated three graduates: Pre-K, Sergio Leggette, kindergartener, Saige Leggette, and Marissa Tull, our college graduate.  The church experienced a wedding, Rev. Willis S. Mitchell, Pastor Emeritus married Ms. Ella LeBlanc on July 11, 2015; this was only the third wedding of a member of the church.

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The history continues with many chapters in the book of Solid Rock Bible Church to be written, but, we know that God is alive, He is not Dead, we hold to His unchanging hand, we stand on his promises for He is faithful and we have that Blessed Assurance.

 

“We’ve come this far by faith Leaning on the Lord; Trusting in His Holy Word He’s never failed us yet.”

(The theme from the first Founder’s Day Celebration).  Hallelujah, we give thanks and praises for the 26 years that we have experienced and for the future!

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Diane A. Mitchell

Director, Christian Education