Roc Bottomly
LEAD PASTOR
Who are you?
I’m a kid who loves to play, stuck in an adult pastor’s body. I’m really most at home playing 2nd base on a softball team or hiking Long’s Peak. I love beaches and mountains. I love traveling to far away places (ever been to the Giza Pyramids, the Saudi oil fields, the Diego Garcia lagoons, Moscow’s Red Square, or the
“Gates of Hell” at Caesarea Philippi?). I love to teach people how to make life work. I love painting the Big Picture of who we are and what’s going on and where we are headed. I love watching others really live it up (though my own reserve makes it hard for me to join the party). Going a bit deeper, I’m a disciple of Jesus, I’m enjoying the journey with like-hearted others, and I can’t wait for the End to come and the Kingdom to begin!
Family?
I come from a big family of 5 kids; and Bev and I have 4 of our own – Josh, Bethany, Bow, and Zak – all married with kids themselves. My marriage is the best part of my life, Bev and I have been married 36 years, this is followed closely by the fun of raising our kids and the delight in what they have become as parents themselves.
Ministry experience/passion? I gave my life to Christ through The Navigators’ ministry as a college student at the Air Force Academy. To be honest I was very reluctant to “minister” to anybody at first (because I was too busy, I didn’t want the trouble of being responsible for others, and I didn’t think I could do it). I began by following up with three underclassmen at the Air Force Academy. As I saw a few respond and experienced the surge of stretch, growth and satisfaction, I got addicted. After completing my service commitment as an AF pilot, I graduated from Dallas Seminary and then served 21 years as a senior pastor in three churches with varied denominational backgrounds.
Here I am 40 years later doing the same thing, and still enjoying it. After serving as a senior fellow at the Focus on the Family Institute, I came to OLCC as their Lead Pastor in 2008. I am passionate about teaching the Bible (because it is true, it works and it is desperately needed by everyone).
What brought you to OLCC?
Bev and I came to OLCC for two reasons. We wanted to move closer to our kids (we were in CO and they here in OKC). And we felt compelled by the Spirit to come help fulfill the missional/discipling vision of OLCC. I’ve always wanted to be part of a church that wanted to be “devoted to Christ”; Our Lord’s Community Church sounded like just the place for that.
Favorite verses
There are a cluster of commands and promises related to “Fear not” that help me most deeply and frequently…. because I wrestle so often and so intensely with fear. Josh 1:9, Is 41:10, II Tim 1:7, II Cor 3:5-6 get me through many days.
Hometown and places you have lived
I was born in Detroit (as was Bev). From there it was all over the place as part of a military family… Panama City, Montgomery, Washington DC, and England. I consider Washington my home because I spent all 4 high school years there (Arlington, VA). As an adult, Bev and I have spent most of our lives shuttling between OKC and Colorado Springs in different ministry assignments.
Favorite music
‘60’s rock - especially Simon and Garfunkel). Contemporary worship – especially Matt Redman and Brad Kilman (son-in-law, he is the best!!).
Favorite books. I don’t read very much (as little as I have to, and usually only to fall asleep at night). But… when I do read, I like history/biography. I’m a story guy at heart. John Adams, 1776, The Killer Angels, and The Life and Times of Martin Luther are among my favorites.
Favorite Food
Barbeque. That’s it! It would be the food of the “age to come”… except that the prevailing peace will keep us from killing much of anything, including the cows and pigs; so I’ll probably have to settle for baked beans and fried okra smothered with BBQ sauce.
Favorite hobby. Snuggling with Bev – far and away the best!! After that… softball, hiking – especially climbing 14ers in Colorado, and watching March Madness.
Random Fact.
I asked Bev to marry me on our first date (and she said “Yes”!).