Solid Rock Church of God in Christ, Inc.

SOLID ROCK CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC.

The Solid Rock Church of God in Christ is a growing and active pentecostal church located in Indian Orchard, a section of Springfield, the second largest city in Massachusetts. Under the leadership of its pastor, Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II, Solid Rock has become a blessing to the residents of Indian Orchard and a Shining Light in a world full of darkness. For additional information on Solid Rock please see the index below.

SOLID ROCK INDEX


History of Solid Rock COGIC

Pastor of Solid Rock COGIC

First Lady of Solid Rock COGIC

Ministries of Solid Rock COGIC

Denominational Affiliation

Statement of Faith

History of Solid Rock COGIC

The Solid Rock COGIC was founded in September 1994 in Worcester, MA by the Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II. The church moved into a small storefront building in Indian Orchard, MA in March 1995. With the guidance of the Lord Solid Rock purchased its current property at 176 Pinevale Street in Indian Orchard in April 1997. In addition to its current edifice the church owns over 10,000 square feet of property adjacent to the church which it has plans to build on in the near future. In a few short years God has allowed Solid Rock to gain favor within its community in order to operate its various programs and ministries. It is a church in the heart of the community, with the community in its heart!

Pastor of Solid Rock COGIC

Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II was called to the Gospel ministry at the young age of 15. Being born and raised in the Church of God in Christ, Rev. Swan has been active in the church all of his life. Rev. Swan received his education at the University of Massachusetts and Western New England College, where his undergraduate studies were in computer science. He is also a graduate of Hartford Seminary.

Rev. Swan was ordained in 1991 and served as Associate Minister at the Spring of Hope COGIC until he founded Solid Rock. He is one of the most socially active ministers in the State of Massachusetts and is consistently sought out for assistance with issues such as: police brutality, housing discrimination, employment assistance, and spiritual guidance. Because of his activism, Rev. Swan was featured on the cover of the Valley Advocate.

Click Here to View the Article

Rev. Swan has gained the respect of elected officials and people throughout the city for his consistent efforts to bring about change in the city. He has received numerous awards and citations for his activities.

Rev. Swan is married to the former Cynthia Davis. They have five children, Whitney, Eryca, Shannon, Drystal and Talbert III,

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First Lady of Solid Rock COGIC

Evangelist Missionary Cynthia A. Swan, affectionately known as "Lady Swan", is the dedicated, energetic and elegant First Lady of Solid Rock. Lady Swan was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where she grew up attending the Wheatley COGIC.

Lady Swan received her B.S. degree from Springfield College and her M.A. from American International College. She is the Lead social worker at a local adoption agency.

Missionary Swan has been active in the church her entire life and was licensed as an evangelist missionary in the COGIC. She has a dynamic women's ministry and has touched the lives of women all over the Springfield and Massachusetts area. She leads a Monday evening women's prayer service at Solid Rock each week.

In high demand as a speaker, facilitator and singer, Evangelist Swan stands by her husband and is the biggest supporter of both his and Solid Rock's ministry. She is a dedicated mother, loyal wife and outstanding member of the community.

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Ministries of Solid Rock COGIC

Solid Rock COGIC operates the following prorams and ministries:

Teens for AIDS Prevention

The TAP Program is a peer leadership program for youth between the ages of 12 and 19 funded by the City of Springfield, MA Department of Health & Human Services. The project focuses on the proper response of the church to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Youth are given information on HIV/AIDS, taught proper decision making skills, and trained how to effectively influence their peers on the subject. The curriculum was developed by the Episcopal Church and Advocates for Youth of Washington, DC and is utilized across the country.

Springfield Teens Accepting Responsibility

The STAR Program is a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Prevention Program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The focus of STAR is abstinence. Youth are trained how to promote the message of abstinence to their peers. The program works with youth on health issues, self esteem building, life skills, and proper decision making.

Rites of Passage Male Mentoring Program

ROP is a male mentoring program dedicated to the academic and personal growth of African American male youth. The program received its initial funding from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

The program addresses the unacceptably low rate of graduation of Black males and the lack of African American male role models in the classroom.

Coats for Children

Each November Solid Rock provides winter coats for many children throughout the Indian Orchard area who either do not have winter coats or have too small or warn winter coats.

Computer Lab

Solid Rock maintains a computer lab where neighborhood children can access the internet or word processing software to complete school work. Staff work with the children to increase computer literacy among the cities youth.

Trumpet in Zion Ministries

Trumpet in Zion is the Television and Radio Broadcast of the Solid Rock COGIC. The television broadcast airs twice daily and reaches thousands throughout the Western Massachusetts area with our worship services. Each week, scores of residents report how Trumpet in Zion has been a blessing in their lives. The Trumpet in Zion Broadcast Schedule is as follows:

Television - Channel 12A Daily 7:00 am & 9:30 pm

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Denominational Affiliation

Solid Rock COGIC is a part of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. headquartered in Memphis, TN.

The COGIC was founded by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason in 1897 and is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world with over 8 million members worldwide.

The COGIC is a church where the word of God in Preached, ordinances are administered and the doctrine of sanctification or holiness is emphasized as being essential to the salvation of mankind.

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Statement of Faith

Solid Rock COGIC is a God-Centered Church, rooted in Christ Jesus and believes first in Faith in God.It is this faith that we must communicate to others which is the beginning of evangelism with the preaching of the Gospel.

Secondly, we believe in Fellowship in Christ. This is the kind of fellowship that has brought millions into the COGIC under the magnetic Christ-Centered teachings of our founder, Bishop C.H. Mason and into a union of churches known throughout the world.

Thirdly, we believe in Freedom in the Holy Ghost. This is the freedom to follow the dictates of God's Spirit, to be as Christ-like and creative as possible.Click here to read our Statement of Faith

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