January 19 Today in OPC History

On January 19, 1924, one hundred years ago today, the Rev. Wendell L. Rockey, Jr. was born in Joplin, MO. A graduate of Temple University and Westminster Seminary, Rockey served in Orthodox Presbyterian congregations in Grove City, PA, Cranston, RI, Hamilton, MA, and West Barnstable, MA, and he moderated the 44th General Assembly that met in 1977 in Oostburg, WI. Memories from Rockey’s former parishioners invariably invoke his keen sense of humor, which was often on greatest display during his years of service with the Deerwander Bible Conference.

In a 1955 article he wrote in the Presbyterian Guardian after his first year in the pastorate, Rockey described the joy and satisfaction of ministry in the OPC, and he concluded with by presenting this challenge before the denomination:

All this does not mean that we may entertain the feelings of those who have arrived. What a tremendous job remains to be done! How ironical and almost cruel was the remark made a few years ago by a Westminster graduate who now serves in a different denomination. A group of students were discussing the merits of different churches which professed to be Reformed in character and the difficulty in choosing the one to enter. The individual referred to above glibly remarked, “Play it safe, boys, and join the OPC.” O, my! That would be an article in itself. Perhaps someone else more experienced would care to make the attempt. We are a long way from Canaan, but there are many causes for encouragement. One of the greatest sources of gratification is the willingness and eagerness of our people to hear the Word of God. What can be more inspiring to a young minister than to have a congregation that is hungry to hear God’s word and which is appreciative of every effort. I am glad to be ministering in a congregation where such is the case and in a denomination where this attitude prevails many times repeated. May God enlarge our vision and send us forth with greater vigor to proclaim the message of His saving grace and may the blessing of the great Head of the Church be upon our labors.

Mr. Rockey went to be with the Lord in Glory on September 15, 2020.

Picture: Wendell Rockey teaching in the 1970s.