Pastor Geronimo Aguilar

Pastor Geronimo Aguilar is the man behind The Richmond Outreach Center (ROC), fastest-growing church in America. He has traveled from the West to the East preaching a message of God, and helping lost souls receive the same message of the Lord’s love. He is committed to using his life experiences to change the world for the better, and that is exactly what his center has become the success that it is today.

Humble Beginnings

Pastor G has proven that hard work and honest faith reaps great rewards. In 1999, he began a journey from California to spread the faith he received through his early struggles. He saw the world as a place that desperately needed a renewed Christian faith; he wanted to transform passive faith into one of an active reality. Alongside his loving wife, Samantha, and other believers he was able to preach to inner-city communities.

This group was then known as In4Life and saw every place as a destination for change. They would stop at churches, schools and jails to share the lessons The Bible offers. Although most of Aguilar’s outreach took place at warehouses and down-trodden areas, these early days allowed him to reach out to others and inspire them.

His faithful team was so inspired by their outreach efforts that they eventually settled in Richmond, Virginia. There, Pastor Geronimo Aguilar was moved by the severe distress in the city and knew it was where the Lord’s message was needed.

What is The ROC?

Established in 2001, The ROC is an independent church with a non-denominational aim based in Richmond, Virginia. The center makes considerable efforts to spread its vision all over the world through programs like ROC on The Road. With humble beginnings, The ROC has grown under Pastor G’s leadership to improve the poor conditions in Richmond.

The center serves as a safe place for anyone: any race, any age, and any walk of life. Richmond, Virginia is known for its excess of crime, violence and poor social care systems. However, The ROC aims to change many of these troubled individuals into virtuous children of God. The center makes continuous efforts to improve the community, and spread the teachings of The Bible.

What Do ROC Members Believe?

Pastor G operates his ministries under basic truths that encourage others. Through his weekly devotionals, parishioners can learn more about their Christian faith and what it means to have Jesus save them. He also has a dependable team of pastors who approach specific topics and reach unique communities that seek change.

The ROC ministries operate under the belief that the Scriptures are the final word on what is true in Christianity.  Members hold both the Old and New Testament absolute under their word-for-word verbal interpretation.

Statements of Faith

In addition to their interpretation of the Scriptures, members follow other statements of faith.

• Belief in a sovereign God. Although God is comprised of three entities (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), Pastor Geronimo Aguilar and his followers know He is a powerful unified force.
• Sin is a result of a spiritual death. Currently, mankind exists in sin, but when man was created he was free from sin and made in God’s image.
• Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the only man born free of sin, birthed from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He is a true man and true God.
• Jesus died for our sins. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a sacrificial act that resolved the world from its sins.
• Gospel is meant for everyone. True believers are taught to spread the word of the Gospel and encourage non-believers to accept Christ.
• Faith can save man. By accepting these Christian faiths and practicing the virtues of God, a lost person is able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, born again.
• Judgment Day is upon us. At any moment the planet will experience the Second Coming of Christ where he will reestablish rule and judge all those of their holiness.

Pastor Geronimo Aguilar Achieves Rapid Growth

In 2011, The ROC was named the fastest-growing church in America by Outreach Magazine. Since the organization’s beginnings in 2001, the independent church has made very impressive achievements. Between 2009 and 2010, The Richmond Outreach Center witnessed an extraordinary growth in attendance by 83 percent.

Today, The ROC has over 150 ministries and works in communities’ everyday to bring hope to residents. The center offers specialized shops, a safe-haven from violence and many programs to assist people restore themselves from sins. The church offers flexibility for members, who can participate in a variety of worship times and activities. The growing church is attributed with many changes in the Richmond area as well.

Soulwinning

Members of the church practice “soulwinning” – the concept that simple outreach to those in need will attract them to the benefits of the Christian faith. The work of expert soulwinners is part of the reason so many have found The ROC a great place to practice Christianity. In addition to these efforts, the center has contributed funds to spread their word and build churches in Ghana.

Praise from the Governor

When the Richmond Outreach Center began in 2001, Richmond was fifth on the list of highest murder rates. Today, the city has made a considerable improvement and is now the fifty-fifth. Previous Attorney General and current Governor of Virginia, Robert McDowell, has recognized the contributions made by Pastor Aguilar and his center.

Governor McDowell was so impressed by this faith-based community and credited them by saying, “The ministries…led to a 35% reduction in crime in the area and more young people are going to school; the dropout and truancy rate has gone down considerably.” Such change is what Pastor Geronimo Aguilar has worked for, and aspires for even more improvements.

A Rewarding Challenge

Pastor Geronimo Aguilar knows that accepting Jesus into your heart is a difficult and challenging task. Pastor Aguilar’s sermons focus on encouragement to those having trouble finding faith. Although he knows many are discouraged by the state of the world, Geronimo Aguilar looks on the success of The ROC as proof that genuine faith is an ultimate reward.