Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Parker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My wife was born and raised in Sanford. I am from Houston, Texas. We met in Cleveland, Tennessee and married there. We moved to Panama City, Florida and joined a church there. After seven years on staff as an assistant pastor we were sent back to Sanford to pioneer The Rock of Central Florida church.
Beginning in July 1999, we met only in our home and soon after in a hotel, then a storefront, followed by a theater and office building until we purchased land in 2001 and built our current worship center on Highway 46 in Sanford. The church continued and continues to grow and we are currently beginning another building expansion to accommodate the growth of the church, the school, and our preschool.
God has blessed the work of our hands as we have faithfully served Central Florida since that first service in 1999.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always challenges where vision is present. One of the principles I teach in the church was born from lessons my wife and I taught our children as they were growing up. The principle is “whenever you arrive at easy, step over it and into what is hard.” It is the hard things that develop us into strong and determined people who can overcome when overcoming is necessary.
Over the years we have had many difficult moments that seemed impossible, but because we are a people who understand what our purpose is we do not relent and give up. Struggles are guarantied, defeat is not.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the senior minister of The Rock of Central Florida church in Sanford. I am responsible for sharing and imparting the vision God placed in me for outreach to this land and people he called me and us to. I would say that I am known for having a strong vision and passion and that I am a determined leader. I am neither politically correct nor am I politically incorrect. Those are not terms that are important to me. What is important is truth. Not “perceived” truth, but “absolute” truth. That kind of truth can only be found in relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am most proud of raising up a congregation of people for twenty six years that understand what I just shared. They are changing the earth for God’s glory not just our own glory. It is this position that sets us far apart from so many others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wearetherockofcf.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therockofcf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therockofcf
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/therockofcf
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRockofCentralFlorida
