Paul Lawrence

Church on the rock | Calera, Alabama

Paul was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. While a teenager he and his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama. Paul graduated High School from Kingwood Christian School in Alabaster, Alabama in 1996. After graduating High School he joined the Birmingham Metro Master's Commission. His journey in ministry began there. He was in Master's Commission for three years earning his CERTIFICATE In Ministry from the Assembly of God Denomination. During this time was when he met Kristal. Paul and Kristal were married in 1999 and became Youth Pastors in Rainbow City, Alabama. After a short tenure in Rainbow City, Paul and Kristal accepted the call to become Youth Pastors at Church On The Rock in Palmetto, FL. Paul is an Ordained Minister through Church On The Rock. In June 2006, Paul graduated from Life Christian University with a Bachelors in Theology. Paul and Kristal also served as director of Palmetto Master's Commission for 3 years. After over 8 years of serving as youth pastor at Church On The Rock in Palmetto, Florida, in 2009 Paul and Kristal followed the call of God to plant a Church On The Rock in Calera, Alabama.

Shelly Riker

Church on the Rock | Palmetto, Florida

Pastor Shelly was born and raised in Palmetto, Florida and graduated from Palmetto High School, where she excelled as a softball player. She went to the University of South Florida in Tampa where she was privileged to play on a four-year softball scholarship. She graduated from USF with her bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She worked as a substance abuse and mental health counselor for six years. Pastor Shelly fell in love with God from a very young age, it is her hearts desire to see people captivated, restored, and fulfilled by the radical, zealous, and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Pastor Shelly has been involved with youth ministry for over ten years. She also has a great desire to see people linked with their passions and giftings and equipping them to further The Kingdom Of God. Pastor Shelly has served as the youth pastor for COTR since May 2010 and took on the responsibility of Executive Pastor in May 2011.

Uprising Worship

The sound of Church on the Rock Youth

Our goal is not to write creative music or play trendy songs. Our goal is not even to sound good. Our number one goal and ambition is to please the heart of God. We believe in training people up. We believe in providing a worship team that allows room for middle and high school students to develop their musical talents but more importantly, their ability to worship and to lead others in worship. Every worship set is an opportunity for us to set our practiced songs and planned schedules aside by allowing The Holy Spirit to do what He wants to do. Worship is more than a band playing a few songs on a stage. Worship is a lifestyle. Worship is a chance to encounter the presence of a living God who cares about us.