Dr. Luke Rowland has come a long way from being a U.S. soldier to serving as a soldier in God’s army.
Both positions mandated he become involved in the lives of many people. A native of Hazelhurst, Rowland came to Liberty County because of the military. He retired in 1988 as a first sergeant and decided to stay in the area.
He is the pastor of Solid Rock Fellowship Church in Midway. Before that, Rowland served as pastor of Faith Baptist in Hinesville for five and a half years and pastor of Townsend Baptist for 18 months.
He has also been a member of Grace Baptist Church, a song leader at Calvary Baptist Church and pastoral counselor at First Baptist Church in Midway. While serving at First Baptist, Rowland ran a drug and alcohol abuse counseling program.
“Since Solid Rock was established, God has opened up the windows for us,” Rowland said. “A church in Baxley gave up some pews. A church in Ludowici also gave us some pews and hymnals. Dr. Jimmie L. Smiley gave us a pulpit. God has really blessed us.”
“We had our first service in January 2008 at Woodland Lake. I took $75 and rented the clubhouse at Woodland Lake. We stayed at Woodland for one year and then moved to the Lake George Community Center. We baptized eight people in 2008 and have eight to baptize in 2009. The church has a sweet spirit,” he said.
Rowland also runs the Christ Ministry Pastoral Counseling Center in the Midway Mall, suite 3D. He has a doctorate in ministry counseling.
“People have gotten saved in the office,” he said. “We are getting ready to stand up a 12-step “Jesus is the Answer” drug/alcohol program. I am a recovering alcoholic, and have been sober since May 1, 1986.”
The pastor thinks of Dr. Charles Williams as his spiritual mentor. “He has always been there for me. He taught me a lot about the ministry. Dr. Williams is the co-founder of Luther Rice University, where he served as vice president. He started Southern Baptist School in Jacksonville, Fla.”
Rowland’s advice to ministers is to follow God’s word, study God’s word, pray, listen to God and stay close to God.
“I have learned that if it is not coming from God, leave it alone,” he said.
Rowland’s wife Nancy Rowland is a registered nurse at St Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. They have four children. Pastor Rowland enjoys helping people and fishing. He also serves as a chaplain for the American Legion in Midway.
The members of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Church invite the public for fellowship and services at the Lake George Community Center, 1799 Limerick Road in Midway. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., morning worship is at 11 and evening worship at 6. Wednesday night Bible study is at 7.
Local recording artist Donna Jackson will minister at the 11 a.m. service today.
“The last time she came, two people were saved. Music ministry is part of our outreach,” Rowland said.
Anderson is the author of “Lack of Knowledge” and “Dare to Soar.”
Both positions mandated he become involved in the lives of many people. A native of Hazelhurst, Rowland came to Liberty County because of the military. He retired in 1988 as a first sergeant and decided to stay in the area.
He is the pastor of Solid Rock Fellowship Church in Midway. Before that, Rowland served as pastor of Faith Baptist in Hinesville for five and a half years and pastor of Townsend Baptist for 18 months.
He has also been a member of Grace Baptist Church, a song leader at Calvary Baptist Church and pastoral counselor at First Baptist Church in Midway. While serving at First Baptist, Rowland ran a drug and alcohol abuse counseling program.
“Since Solid Rock was established, God has opened up the windows for us,” Rowland said. “A church in Baxley gave up some pews. A church in Ludowici also gave us some pews and hymnals. Dr. Jimmie L. Smiley gave us a pulpit. God has really blessed us.”
“We had our first service in January 2008 at Woodland Lake. I took $75 and rented the clubhouse at Woodland Lake. We stayed at Woodland for one year and then moved to the Lake George Community Center. We baptized eight people in 2008 and have eight to baptize in 2009. The church has a sweet spirit,” he said.
Rowland also runs the Christ Ministry Pastoral Counseling Center in the Midway Mall, suite 3D. He has a doctorate in ministry counseling.
“People have gotten saved in the office,” he said. “We are getting ready to stand up a 12-step “Jesus is the Answer” drug/alcohol program. I am a recovering alcoholic, and have been sober since May 1, 1986.”
The pastor thinks of Dr. Charles Williams as his spiritual mentor. “He has always been there for me. He taught me a lot about the ministry. Dr. Williams is the co-founder of Luther Rice University, where he served as vice president. He started Southern Baptist School in Jacksonville, Fla.”
Rowland’s advice to ministers is to follow God’s word, study God’s word, pray, listen to God and stay close to God.
“I have learned that if it is not coming from God, leave it alone,” he said.
Rowland’s wife Nancy Rowland is a registered nurse at St Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. They have four children. Pastor Rowland enjoys helping people and fishing. He also serves as a chaplain for the American Legion in Midway.
The members of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Church invite the public for fellowship and services at the Lake George Community Center, 1799 Limerick Road in Midway. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., morning worship is at 11 and evening worship at 6. Wednesday night Bible study is at 7.
Local recording artist Donna Jackson will minister at the 11 a.m. service today.
“The last time she came, two people were saved. Music ministry is part of our outreach,” Rowland said.
Anderson is the author of “Lack of Knowledge” and “Dare to Soar.”