Solid Rock
1997- a District survey was taken for Harnett County. The NC Conference looks to start a church in a low-income area.
1998- Reverend Berry Drum was sent to Johnsonville to start “The Rock.”
1999- January, The Rock held its first service with 200+ in attendance.
The congregation moves meeting location from Johnsonville Elementary to Johnsonville Community Building.
2000- Spring, Berry took a Personal Leave of Absence to take care of his parents.
Church moves its meeting location from Johnsonville Community Building to store front on 87 at Sawyer’s Mobile Home Park.
2000- Reverend Gil Wise and family are sent to The Rock with 36 in attendance on their first Sunday in the latter part of June
2000 – Gil is sent by the Conference Office for Congregational Development to Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City
where workshop leaders recommend a process for closing the existing church and relaunching with a new church plant.
2000- in September, a funeral is held for The Rock with the promise of a resurrection.
2001 - March 15-18, “The Walk to Emmaus,” Gil meets Mike Bass, and the two decide God is doing something with them together.
March 25th, RESURRECTION of the church as “Solid Rock”! There are 204 in attendance at inaugural service.
Late May, Mike Bass joins Gil at Solid Rock. Average attendance is 75.
2002- May, Solid Foundations Inc. is organized.
Gene Berrier takes over as Worship Leader at Solid Rock.
2003- March 10th, Solid Start Child Care Center opens in the annex building of Benhaven Elementary School.
2004- Solid Foundations Inc. buys the Highway 24 facility. Second childcare campus
August 29th, Solid Rock holds it’s first service at the Highway 24 Campus. 125+ average attendance.
2005- January 1st , Mike Bass is contracted by Solid Rock as a full-time Lay Pastor.
Average attendance is 170+ with 750 families calling Solid Rock their home church.
2006- March 1st, Attendance is 200+ with 1,000+ people from 10 counties, and 7 countries calling Solid Rock their home.
Planning is underway for the construction of a new building to house worship for 600,
a commercial kitchen, basketball court, along with many other offerings to the community.
2007- March, Solid Rock Charters with 330+ members and becomes a recognized UMC church.
A United Methodist Men's group is chartered also on this day.
- June 26, Gil Wise is re-appointed to Solid Rock as Pastor-in-Charge for his 8th year.
- June 26, Mike Bass, having received his License to Preach, is appointed by the Bishop as Associate Pastor.
- July 1, Mike begins The Pastor's 'Course of Study' for ordination at Duke Divinity School.
- Martha's place, the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet at Solid Rock, is reaching hundreds of people weekly
with food, clothing, and various other supports.
- Over 3,000 people receive of the ministries at Solid Rock.
- Dante and Anisa Poole (and family) come to Solid Rock
2008- 400+ members with thousands in ten counties and eight countries calling Solid Rock their home.
- Solid Rock School of Theology is authorized by the State of NC Board of Governors at UNC Chapel Hill to grant degrees.
The school is accredited by the American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutes
and the Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability.
Programs in theology are offered for Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees.
- Plans are underway to add two more child care centers to the two already operating in the surrounding communities.
- 68 ministries and small groups are serving the communities in which Solid Rock functions.
- Dante is a Lay-Pastor and Counselor at the church
and Anisa is Operations Manager and Children's Church Leader at Solid Start and Solid Rock respectively.
- Gil and Mike's vision of a team of leaders is playing-out in Solid Rock's Church Council with 12 'Vision Carriers.'
2009 - Reaching 3,000+ with the ministry offerings of Solid Rock.
- Donna Thompson is appointed as a second associate pastor at Solid Rock.
- Dante Poole approved by Charge Conference in candidacy for ordained ministry in the UMC
- Actively operating four different child care sites.
- 80+ ministries and small groups serving the communities
- As a spin-off to the 'Come and See' events, 'Go and Tell' workshops are scheduled throughout the year across the conference.
