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==Founding and growth==
==Founding and growth==


The group was founded in 2001 in [[Richmond, Virginia]], but quickly spread elsewhere in the [[United States]]. As of January 2009, the ministry has gone from 19 people, to an average weekly attendance of over 4,000, many of whom are Richmond's poorest residents from inner-city housing projects. The ROC is a sprawling, multi-campus outreach center with its main campus located 1t 5501 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Virginia. The ROC focuses on urban lifestyle issues such as education and housing.<ref> Wythe High Reports Drop in Violence, Thanks to Partnership http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/WYTH151_20090314-234004/232032/ </ref>
The group was founded in 2001 in [[Richmond, Virginia]], but quickly spread elsewhere in the [[United States]]. As of January 2009, the ministry has gone from 19 people, to an average weekly attendance of over 4,000, many of whom are Richmond's poorest residents from inner-city housing projects. The ROC is a sprawling, multi-campus outreach center with its main campus located 5501 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Virginia. The ROC focuses on urban lifestyle issues such as education and housing.<ref> Wythe High Reports Drop in Violence, Thanks to Partnership http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/WYTH151_20090314-234004/232032/ </ref>


In 2007, Pastor G. was named "Top 40 Under 40" by Style Weekly Magazine as one of Richmond's top 40 leaders under the age of 40.<ref> Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 (2007) </ref> The ROC also supports the Reach Out Center and thrift store in Petersburg, Virginia. The Reach Out Center, like The ROC, also works closely with the local police department.<ref> Wiggins, F. M. (2008) "Ministry Opens Thrift Store." The Progress-Index. </ref>
In 2007, Pastor G. was named "Top 40 Under 40" by Style Weekly Magazine as one of Richmond's top 40 leaders under the age of 40.<ref> Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 (2007) </ref> The ROC also supports the Reach Out Center and thrift store in Petersburg, Virginia. The Reach Out Center, like The ROC, also works closely with the local police department.<ref> Wiggins, F. M. (2008) "Ministry Opens Thrift Store." The Progress-Index. </ref>

Revision as of 23:07, 22 November 2010

Richmond Outreach Center
Formation2001
Typeindependent, non-denominational, soulwinning church
HeadquartersRichmond, Virginia, USA
Official language
English/Spanish
Pastor
Geronimo Aguilar (called Pastor G. by followers)
Websitewww.theroc.com

The Richmond Outreach Center (The ROC), located at 5501 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia has been referred to as both a church and an outreach center. It was founded in 2001 by Geronimo Aguilar, who also goes by the name of Pastor G.[1]

Founding and growth

The group was founded in 2001 in Richmond, Virginia, but quickly spread elsewhere in the United States. As of January 2009, the ministry has gone from 19 people, to an average weekly attendance of over 4,000, many of whom are Richmond's poorest residents from inner-city housing projects. The ROC is a sprawling, multi-campus outreach center with its main campus located 5501 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Virginia. The ROC focuses on urban lifestyle issues such as education and housing.[2]

In 2007, Pastor G. was named "Top 40 Under 40" by Style Weekly Magazine as one of Richmond's top 40 leaders under the age of 40.[3] The ROC also supports the Reach Out Center and thrift store in Petersburg, Virginia. The Reach Out Center, like The ROC, also works closely with the local police department.[4]

The ROC was founded as a place where churches can come together to do inner-city mission work. This group targets residents of public housing projects, motels, and dilapidated homes. The ROC has over 100 ministries, all free, that work with these individuals. Pastor G. says that winning souls for Christ is The ROC's primary mission.[5]

Beliefs

The ROC is non-denominational, independent, soulwinning church. The group holds Saturday night church services and host a kids' service for children on Saturdays before Six O'Clock ROC.[6][7] The ROC's youth programs work with Richmond youth every day of the week. The ROC's fleet of 20 school buses patrol the city to let children know that they don't have to live the "street" life and that God has a plan for them.[8]

Church services at The ROC are very casual. Pastor G. often wears t-shirts and jeans. It is not unusual to find suburban soccer moms praying with tattooed bikers or businessmen hugging the homeless.[9]

Programs

The ROC has many different programs. These programs include a bible study, dance classes, a private school and a food pantry.[10] The ROC also has a competitive sports program for inner-city kids. In addition to teaching sports, these programs teach life skills. The ROC is home to one of a very few "urban" little league teams.[11]

The ROC is partnering with the Richmond Police Department, the Washington-based Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, and Richmond Public Schools to reduce violence in George Wythe High School. Ten ROC staff work daily with 150 of the school's toughest, hardest-to-reach students. ROC staff help with homework, hold mediations, help prevent fights, and do home visits with students and parents. Since this program started, suspensions and expulsions have decreased in the school. The Richmond Police Department pushed for the program, and the Richmond Police Department Foundation came up with the funding.[12]

Several years ago The ROC bought a 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2) facility in Richmond's North Side. This building has been turned into a school that is being used to train people for urban ministry. Some groups come for a few days to participate in The ROC's boot camps, and some enroll in the school and stay for nine months.[13]

References

  1. ^ http://richmondoutreachcenter.com/church/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=26
  2. ^ Wythe High Reports Drop in Violence, Thanks to Partnership http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/WYTH151_20090314-234004/232032/
  3. ^ Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 (2007)
  4. ^ Wiggins, F. M. (2008) "Ministry Opens Thrift Store." The Progress-Index.
  5. ^ Winning Souls by Any Means Necessary http://www.crosswalk.com/11536227/
  6. ^ http://www.has.vcu.edu/soc/rdr/group.profiles/Nondenominational/RichmondOutreachCenter.html
  7. ^ http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/COW/roc022706.aspx
  8. ^ Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 (2007)
  9. ^ Winning Souls by Any Means Necessary http://www.crosswalk.com/11536227/
  10. ^ Winning Souls by Any Means Necessary http://www.crosswalk.com/11536227/
  11. ^ Church's Mission to Help Youth a Home Run http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/lifestyles/top/article/-RTD_2008_06_27_0060/17589/
  12. ^ Wythe High Reports Drop in Violence, Thanks to Partnership http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/WYTH151_20090314-234004/232032/
  13. ^ Lindsey, Alberta (2006). "Old Home has New Job." Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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