Rocky Point Baptist Church

In the early 1900’s, Rocky Point was a home to many school children. Housed in this one-room schoolhouse, children gathered to learn something even greater—the story of the Savior—Jesus.

The vision began in 1984 as the 19-member church called a young pastor by the name of Gary Ward to come make his home at Rocky Point Missionary Baptist Church of Christ. An older couple in the church, the Purvis’, shared a vision of the Lord doing a mighty work if this young man would invest his life there. With the Lord’s help and by the Lord’s grace—the young man did.

Within the first few years numerous lost souls were saved and a fellowship hall and baptistery were added on to the existing building. In but a few more years, a new sanctuary was in the making. Since 1984, there have been 14 additions to the small beginnings of Rocky Point. The joy behind each new addition has not been the buildings themselves, but the people whose lost souls have been saved! It was as if “the Lord added the number daily those who were saved” (Acts 2:47).

Truly the miracles behind the walls of the buildings and the echoes of the hearts of it’s people sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). For only He, Jesus, the Messiah, could do a work so mighty. Only He could take a few men and women and a vision and create a mighty people who long to continue such a vision—reaching and discipling souls for the Lord. His name is Jesus and upon Him Rocky Point Church does and will forever stand!

Mr. and Mrs. Purvis

Tribute to a Vision

This foundation
Kept alive by so few.
The ground kept fertile
As God asked them to do.

To prepare for God's plan
These two saw the way.
They knew from their vision
There was coming a day.

"Invest some time of you life, young man,"
They said with a vision that time did span.
"The children will come, lost souls will be won
On this foundation, great things will be done."

The young man listened
For great counsel were they.
The Lord spoke through them
For there was coming a day.

The foundation was fertile
The seeds had been sewn.
God's work was beginning
The young man was home.

The seeds grew crops
Some harvested, some spread.
The vision was coming true
Just as the two had said.

The numbers,
Which began so few,
Began to multiply.
No surprise to these two.

The building began to overflow
The lost were being found.
Another building added on
This Rock is Holy Ground.

Throughout all these years, it's continued on
The vision of these two.
It was God's plan
And it began with only just a few.

These two are a part of each Rocky Point heart
They are the supports of this foundation.
They've loved us each and every one
These two of great reputation.

The children love the Purvis'
And every Sunday they'd come.
Circling around the two of them
To get their piece of gum.

The Purvis spirit
Will forever live in these halls.
Their words of wisdom
Echo from the walls.

And the vision, young man
Is left for you to hold.
Just always remember
"All that glitters is not gold."

As the sun of time begins to set
Rocky Point will ne'er forget.
The two that kept us growing strong
The Purvis vision will live on!

~ Debbie Mills