Rock Church International — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Pastors John & Robin Blanchard (Senior Pastors, since 2013)

Founded 1968 (co-founded by Bishops John & Anne Gimenez)

Denomination Rock Ministerial Fellowship (independent Pentecostal network)

Service Times Sunday 10:30 AM

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.rockchurch.org

Pastor Credentials Trained under Bishops John & Anne Gimenez (Rock Ministerial Fellowship)

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Rock Church holds orthodox Trinitarian Christology and affirms Jesus as Lord and Savior. Green.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Pentecostal tradition emphasizes experiential encounter; inerrancy may be affirmed but experience often shapes hermeneutics in charismatic contexts.

Caution

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Men's ministry exists but church culture is shaped by charismatic expression.

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Pentecostal tradition affirms grace through faith. Charismatic emphasis on ongoing Spirit gifts is present.

Caution

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

RED VALIDATED — Live fetch confirms Robin Blanchard (female) serves jointly as Senior Pastor with husband John Blanchard. Purpose statement attributed to both jointly. Female senior pastoral authority contradicts 1 Tim 2:12 and complementarian standard.

Female co-Senior Pastor (Robin Blanchard). Church has historically operated under female episcopal leadership (Bishop Anne Gimenez). Red flag for complementarians.

WARNING!

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Husband-wife co-pastor model confirmed live. Legacy of matriarchal leadership (Gimenez era) documented in charismatic/apostolic governance.

Caution

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Pentecostal/charismatic preaching style. Emphasis on healing, deliverance, and Spirit empowerment.

Caution

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Rock Church International has a strong global missions footprint — planted 400+ churches worldwide under founding leadership.

Strong

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Rock Church has deep Hampton Roads roots and community involvement. Historical Washington For Jesus rallies show patriotic evangelical identity. Generally conservative.

Caution

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Rock Ministerial Fellowship (RMF) — a self-contained apostolic/prophetic network. Limited external accountability.

Caution

Assessment

Rock Church International is one of Hampton Roads' most historic megachurches — founded in 1968 by Bishops John and Anne Gimenez as a Pentecostal congregation with national impact. The church hosted major Washington For Jesus rallies in the 1980s and 1990s drawing hundreds of thousands to DC. Today, Senior Pastors John and Robin Blanchard lead the congregation. The primary concern for complementarian men: Robin Blanchard serves as a co-Senior Pastor, and the church's history includes female episcopal leadership (Bishop Anne Gimenez). For men committed to biblical male-only eldership/pastoral leadership, this is a disqualifying red flag. The church's charismatic heritage and Pentecostal theology require evaluation for those outside that tradition. Rock Church has genuine gospel impact and community roots, but the gender/leadership structure places it outside clear biblical complementarianism.

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