Almost three and a half years’ ago we reported how Christian worshippers in our village would soon have another option – when Edwalton based ‘The Rock Church’ announced it would be holding monthly services in Ruddington.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ in March 2020 dictated that its first service in St Peter’s Rooms (pictured top) would also be its last … until now, that is. The local Pentecostal church, founded in 2010 and pioneered by husband and wife team pastors Alistair and Kate Kent, has announced the return of its “authentic, vibrant, charismatic church” to Ruddington with three, monthly services on a trial basis. The first of its “Revival Nights” is this Friday, June 20th, and is being held in St Peter’s Rooms again. The two planned after that, on July 21st and August 11th, will (hopefully) take place in Ruddington Methodist Church.
Describing itself as “a twenty-first century church, with first century power!” the name ‘The Rock Church’ is not a reference to the music at its services, but rather that the designated villages of Ruddington, Cotgrave and Keyworth, which it set out to reach, can be found in the consonants of the word ‘RoCK’. Cathy Appelbee (already famous locally as Wilbur the Cat‘s owner) is going to be the Ruddington Campus Pastor, working alongside founders Alistair and Kate, and she says: “We’re really excited to be coming back.”
Alistair admits: “The timing of our original launch into Ruddington – February 2020 – was unfortunate to say the least, since we went into lockdown the following month! As we know, the pandemic and its related restrictions lasted for the best part of two years and, like the vast majority of churches, we spent the following year or so rebuilding on all levels.”
He adds: “At the beginning of the year we felt that we were back in a position to re-engage with ‘The Rock Church Ruddington’. We don’t have huge plans or a massive strategy, but are starting with three meetings that we’re calling ‘Revival Nights’, as our passion is to see people’s lives revived through an encounter with God. Hopefully that will be a welcome post-pandemic tonic for those who come along”.
The Ruddington ‘Revival Nights’ posters and flyers around the village are promising “gospel, worship, miracles and healing” and full details can be found >>HERE<<. Everyone’s welcome to discover what it’s all about this Friday, June 30th, starting at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Rooms.
