ROC Church to Debut First Service in Downtown Royal Oak on September 24th

A new church is coming to downtown Royal Oak. ROC, which stands for Royal Oak Church, debuts its first service on Sunday September 24th at 10:30am. The church is located in downtown Royal Oak on 11 Mile, directly across the street from the 44th District Court and Royal Oak Farmer's Market. According to church leaders, ROC seeks to be a part of the vitality and growth in the City of Royal Oak.

ROC is going to be led by Lead Pastor Bill Barnwell. Barnwell, 36, is married and has one child. Rounding out the staff is Family Ministries Intern Brian Thrasher, 30, married with two children, and Worship Director Joe Duprey, a single 18 year-old college student. The church seeks to attract millennials, families, singles, and people of any age who want to a positive place to learn and be involved in the community.

According to Barnwell, "People are looking for something more. They want substance, they want to learn, they want to connect with other people, and they want to make a lasting difference in their community. They want more than 'fluff' teachings and they want to be involved."

Barnwell has an academic background with two Master's Degrees in Theology and Pastoral Leadership, but also has a strong background in public speaking as a featured event speaker for various groups and as a longtime pastor with over 16 years experience.

"I love preaching and teaching and helping people learn. However, I also have a passion for this community, including reaching people who would otherwise never step foot into a church, and making a lasting differences in the lives of people," says Barnwell.

ROC took over an existing church building and is in the process of finishing nearly $500,000 in renovations to prepare for the church launch. The church is situated in the heart of downtown Royal Oak and launching at a key time in the city's history. "Right now there are major plans to further renovate the downtown area where we are located, and we see ourselves as partnering with the city to help move it forward, said Barnwell.

The church is already composed of core families who made up former churches as well as new families and individuals who wanted to be a part of the new launch. Recently the church had a booth set up at Arts, Beats & Eats where they advertised their launch and also offered a free raffle to the community where hundreds of people signed up.

Participants can enter a drawing to win two different $250 gift baskets that include gift cards to Andiamo's and Buffalo Wild wings. Visitors to the church on the 24th are still allowed to enter on the day of the service and entering the drawing is totally free of charge.

Rounding out the staff is Thrasher and Duprey. Thrasher, who will oversee Family Ministries, says: "Families are looking to connect with other families in the area to foster friendships, learning, and positive experiences for their children and teens. The same goes for college students and singles of any age. I'm excited to be a part of this new chapter for Royal Oak and our surrounding communities."

Duprey, the youngest staff member, is a college student with a passion for not only music, but authenticity. Says Duprey, "Our music isn't a show or a performance. There's no smoke machines or strobe lights, but there is quality, depth, and solid music that people will not only enjoy, but know is authentic and God-honoring."

Barnwell describes ROC as "Historically grounded in Christian theology, but innovative in our approach to reaching the community."

ROC already has plans in the works for events such as a "Clean Comedy" night in November to showcase local artists and talent to raise money for drug and opiate prevention awareness, as well as original plays, productions, art shows, and events geared towards families and singles that will appeal to the culture of Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, and surrounding communities.

Continued Barnwell, "We also have plans to have events in local establishments throughout downtown Royal Oak outside of the comfortable four walls of the church where regular everyday people are at. We also plan on doing many innovative events that simply no other church is doing."

The church, according to Barnwell, welcomes all persons of any background to the church. "Everybody is welcome. If you're new to the area, not new to the area, young, old, liberal, conservative, we don't care. Come see what we are about, come learn, and come join us to make a difference in the community."

Services at ROC begin weekly Sunday September 24th at 10:30. Nursery and toddler care is provided during the service as well as Children's Church during the main service. Mid-week "Kid's Club" and "ROC Youth" for Elementary, Junior High and Senior High students begins Wednesday September 27th from 6:45-8:00PM weekly at the church. Adult small groups will begin the 27th as well, with Barnwell offering a small group at the church that will also meet from 6:45-8:00PM for single adults and families. Other offerings will be announced in the future and on the church's website.

ROC is located at 411 E. 11 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, 48067. For more information, people can view the church's website at www.ROchurch.org or contact Barnwell with questions at (810) 394-2952.