Pastor Has Higher Calling, Reading Bible on Rooftop

Oklahoma City's 40 Street Baptist Church is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary and to commemorate the occasion, the pastor plans on reading from the Bible on the church's roof.

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 11:38 am

By: News 9


By Doug Warmer, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City's 40 Street Baptist Church is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary and to commemorate the occasion, the pastor plans on reading from the Bible on the church's roof.

Admittedly, it's part publicity stunt, mainly publicity for his own congregation to get them to show up for his church's 70th anniversary service this Sunday. The other part is the way Pastor Rocky Dunham translates a specific piece of scripture, about sharing the word of the Bible.

"I believe in getting the word of god out to the world," said 40 Street Baptist Pastor Rocky Dunham.

Pastor Dunham and the many church leaders before him here have tried to do just that for 70 years. They also have an interim pastor who believes it's the people, many who live in this neighborhood, and not the building itself that defines this church.

Brother Rocky, as he congregation calls him, spends Sunday morning preaching to about 30 or 40 inside the sanctuary at the 40 Street Baptist Church. But this Sunday, he said he's answering to an even higher calling.

"When God tells me to do something, I try to do it," said Brother Rocky.

Pastor Dunham said God has ask him to "lift" His word a bit. No so much take it to the streets, but take it to the roof.

"I feel that if I can't get to the people in the church, then I need to proclaim God's word from on top of the rooftop," Pastor Durham said.

So starting Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. and until he's done, Pastor Dunham plans to read the entire New Testament from Matthew to Revelations through a loudspeaker, wrapping up just in time for Sunday services.

"People don't listen to the word," Brother Rocky said.

Well this weekend, for about 40 hours straight, they may not have a choice but to listen, even it Pastor Dunham wakes thy neighbor in the process.

During the late hours, he said he'll be sure and turn the volume down a bit on the speakers.

If you want to join 40 Street Baptist Church for their 70th anniversary Sunday service, Pastor Dunham leaves the roof for the podium at 10:45 a.m.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

May 12th, 2009

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024