Retired airman, Solid Rock pastor talks about ministry and why small churches are good

The Rev. Larry Smith came to Middle Georgia as a member of the Air Force’s 5th Combat Communications Group specializing in loading cargo onto aircraft.

He sees his role as pastor of Solid Rock Christian Church in a similar way.

“I have one main goal and that’s to lead people to Christ — to get them onboard with Jesus,” Smith said. “There’s nothing I can do in ministry greater than introducing people to him. He’s the focal point. He’s the lord and savior.”

An Alabama native, Smith retired after 20 years in the Air Force then worked as a civil servant, including time as a postal worker in Macon. During that time he began his journey to ministry as a member of Green’s Tabernacle Baptist Church.

“It was there I received my calling, was licensed in 1999 and ordained in 2000,” he said. “Rev. Clifford Little helped mentor me in ministry. When I received the call to start a church in Warner Robins where we live I talked with him and let him know how God was leading. I wanted to leave Green’s Tabernacle in the correct way and not just take off on my own. My pastor and I talked and prayed and by doing that together he’s very supportive. They’re our sister church now.”

It was in 2004 that Smith started Solid Rock, first by meeting in the community center at Ferguson Park.

“We moved to several locations along the way and never complained about the limitations or drawbacks of where we were,” Smith said. “God has been faithful and brought us here where we are now in 2012. It’s been a great blessing.”

Where they are now is the former Warner Robins Christian Bookstore building. The spot provides a spacious meeting area and large fellowship space where Smith and his wife of 19 years, Dianne, host regular banquets. A decorator, Dianne Smith keeps the area brightly adorned for a variety of events from wedding banquets to church and pastor anniversaries to more private family events.

Smith’s wife is a Perry native whom he calls his Georgia Peach. She insists she’s a Perry Panther.

Smith said the church has been fortunate to increase its ministries through the years.

“We’ve been able to branch out with new ministries like our usher ministry, hospitality, deacons and have been able to help launch ministries such as Highly Favored Ministries, which sponsors conferences,” he said. “We’ve had a praise team from the beginning, but I’m excited we’ve just been able to start our first choir. We’ve had a lot of dedicated people from the start and have added many more who help us minister in many ways.”

Smith said additional ministries at Solid Rock include such things as their monthly nursing home ministry at the Elberta Rehabilitation Center, providing a Thanksgiving meal for needy and homeless people each year and helping people meet practical needs as the small church is able.

“We’re a small church and can’t do some things we’d like to, but being small is a good thing, too” he said. “There are good big churches, but you need small ones, too,” Smith said.

Diane Smith agreed.

“It’s easier to get to know people and feel at home in a small church,” she said. “You can get to know people personally and don’t feel lost in the midst of the congregation. There’s a good, close-knit feeling.”

Another area of ministry at Sold Rock is one Smith experienced himself at Green’s Tabernacle and sees as important for the future of the church: mentoring and training others toward ministry.

“We’re not getting any younger and we need to prepare others for service,” he said. “My ministerial staff here is young and I have a responsibility to help them fulfill the ministry they’re called to. I always try to incorporate training in everything I do and not just by letting them watch. I let them participate and express their gifts and grow them. It’s good not having to carry the load by myself but it’s especially good letting others learn and grow in the Lord.”

Smith said the church can also be contacted on Facebook.com by searching Solid Rock Christian Church.

This story was originally published June 12, 2016 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Retired airman, Solid Rock pastor talks about ministry and why small churches are good."