ABOUT RCC

HISTORY

Over the years since our beginning, the doctrine of RCC has gradually shifted to a Reformed Baptist theology. In 2008, the church officially adopted the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Shortly thereafter we revised and updated our by-laws, and wrote a brief Statement of Faith, which basically states what we believe and teach in a more concise way, and is subservient to the 1689 Confession of Faith. As God leads and directs, we desire to be “ever reforming” for our good and His glory.

  • The first worship service was held in the pastor’s home on May 8, 1994. There were about fifteen people in attendance, and their spiritual background was varied.
  • Because of the rapid growth of the group, worship was moved to a day care center in September of 1994 and RCC worshiped there through the end of 1995. During this time, the first elders were chosen.
  • From 1996 through part of 1998, the church rented space from the Conyers Seventh Day Adventist Church (since they meet on Saturday) and stayed there through 1998. During this time, the first group of deacons was selected.
  • In 1998, for a period of about three months, the church met at Shoal Creek Elementary School in Rockdale County.
  • For the balance of 1998 through early 2000, the remainder of the time was spent at Memorial Middle School, also in Rockdale County. Faced with a school board policy time limit of two years, RCC was again looking to move, but was unable to find a place until after the last worship service at Memorial Middle School. Under God’s sovereign providence and direction, the Young Americans Christian School building was made available for RCC to rent. The worship services were held on Sunday evening. This location was 2455 Old Salem Road in Conyers, which is our present location. Young Americans School soon began building a new larger facility and made plans to move.
  • The existing building was purchased by RCC, and Young Americans rented from RCC until their new building was completed. When the school eventually moved out after about a year’s time, RCC became the sole occupant of the building. By the gracious provision of God, we have been able to pay off the mortgage on the property.
  • In 2012, we sent out 9 families to plant a sister church in Madison GA – Remembrance Community Church. And in 2017, another group of 8 families planted Walton Community Church in Monroe GA.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The church is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). It is the responsibility of every member of the church to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

God’s truth has always been questioned, attacked and perverted. The Bible warns us that such deception will continue, and history has demonstrated the accuracy of these warnings. It is no wonder, then, that in our day, truth is rare while error is rampant.

We offer this statement of faith, not as something new or profound, not as a response to any single system of false doctrine, but rather as a simple and sincere attempt to proclaim and defend God’s inerrant Word.

We pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the fair-minded people of Berea who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

FIRE

RCC is a member church of the Fellowship of Reformed Evangelicals. Click the image for more information about FIRE.

ELDERS

DEACONS

JIM BURKHOLDER

GERALD HINESLEY

BRYAN KIRKLAND

JOHN KOMMETH

BRAD LINGERFELD

ALAN LONG

ALLEN MALOY

MARK MCNEIL

CHRIS MOORCROFT

AMOS DOWNS

TY RUMBLE

CLAY STAPP

RAY ROMESBURG

PREACHING

In 1 Timothy 3:15, the apostle Paul writes that the church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” At RCC, we take that calling seriously. In fear and trembling, we cry out for God’s help and strength in a world where, for so many people, there is no absolute truth. We believe and know that God’s truth endures forever.

We believe and know that God’s truth sets people free from their sin.

We believe and know that God’s truth ultimately points to a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God who lived a perfect life and died to pay for the sins of God’s people.

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5

We strive to preach expository sermons, verse by verse, not catering to the sinful flesh but letting God’s word speak as it ought.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to join us on the Lord’s Day at 10:30 AM as we strive to worship God in spirit and truth and in reverence and awe; as we study the Bible, the life-changing truth of God; and as we unashamedly preach the gracious, life-giving, sin-destroying gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May God bless you as you seek Him above all things!

MUSIC

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” Colossians 3:16
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Our aim at Rockdale Community Church is to be the worshipers the Father is seeking; worshipers who worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:1-26). We believe music is to be used to reinforce the word of God in us, as the Colossians verse above mentions. Ephesians 5:19 also says to address “one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” Our songs are selected with these passages in mind! We approach corporate singing as another means of teaching and reminding ourselves of the wondrous love and grace our Father in Heaven pours out upon us!

We come together each Sunday and begin the service with a song of praise that calls us to worship our glorious God! Musical praise is excited celebration about who God is and what He has done, is doing and promises to do! Our hope is for our praise to shift us into a state of reverent worship and standing in awe of how great and marvelous He is!

Our music is a blend of “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” with a desire to “let the word of Christ dwell in us richly”. We love to sing the word of God! The psalms are the hymn book of the Bible and are meant to be sung! We love returning to the ancient words found in the great hymns to deepen our knowledge and love for God. We also sing contemporary praise songs that provide biblical teaching and point us to God’s transcendent majesty! It is our aim that, whenever we gather for worship, God will be glorified and we will be transformed!

The music team consists of acoustic guitars, piano, keyboard strings, bass and drums.

Our body is blessed with many members who play orchestral instruments and so we include an orchestra once a month.

Butch Rumble was born in Columbus, Georgia on February 15, 1953. After being a lost church member for many years, Butch was born again at a little United Methodist Church in Lithonia, Georgia on April 1, 1980 (a fitting day for God to save a fool!). After teaching and coaching for seven years at Stone Mountain High School in DeKalb County, the Lord called Butch into ministry in 1982. He served on staff for six years as the youth pastor of Glenwood Hills Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. During those years, he was introduced to the teachings of the Reformed Baptist faith, which he embraces wholeheartedly as biblical truth.

Butch has been the pastor of Rockdale Community Church since its inception in 1994. From 1988 until 2010, he served as the Executive Director of Solid Rock Ministries, an evangelical youth ministry committed to a “no gimmicks” approach to the discipleship of young people. He and his wife Amy were high school sweethearts and were married in 1974. They have two married children, Donna and Ty, two wonderful children-in-law, Brad and Rita, and seven grandchildren – Levi, Evan, Henry, A. J., Natalee, Tori, and Trey.

The Lord drew Mark to himself at an early age, but it was not until his mid 20’s that he was introduced to the doctrines of the Reformed faith. His family started attending RCC in 2001 and joined the church shortly thereafter.

Mark is the owner of a local business and has served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and led several mission trips abroad. He and Sherry have two sons, Christopher [wife Andrea] and Sean [wife Amber] and six adorable grandchildren, Taylor, Ansley, Owen, Annie, Ben and Reid.

Ryan Hodges was born in Savannah, Georgia on June 18, 1979. Being raised in the Methodist Church with a loving Christian family, the Lord saved him at a very young age. In late high school and into college Ryan attended Solid Rock, a youth ministry closely affiliated with Rockdale Community Church. The Lord used Solid Rock and the undiluted beauty and truth of his word to grow and deepen Ryan’s affections for the Lord and ultimately lead him to join Rockdale Community Church in 1998. Ryan has served in serval different teaching roles over those years and as a deacon before being called as an Elder in 2015. Ryan currently serves as one of the adult Sunday School teachers at RCC. Ryan works for a local lighting manufacturer. He and his wife Kelli met in college and were married in 2002. They have two children, Carter and Riley Kate.

Justin was born in Atlanta, and was raised in the Conyers area.  As a senior in high school, he was invited to attend Camp on the Rock, where the Lord, in an act of great and sovereign mercy, opened his eyes to the Gospel and saved him.  Surrounded by a new community of committed Christ followers and sound Bible teaching, Justin grew in faith and came to embrace Reformed Baptistic theology.  He joined RCC in 1995, and over the course of years has served in various capacities.  In 2021 he was called and ordained as an elder.  He is married to his beautiful wife, Stacey, and they have six children.