House On The Rock (Church)
House on the Rock is a prominent multi-ethnic Christian Church headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The ministry was founded by Paul Adefarasin in 1994, well known for its annual musical concert, The Experience (Gospel Concert), which features local and international gospel musicians.[1][2]
House On The Rock | |
---|---|
Location | Lagos |
Country | Nigeria |
Website | houseontherock |
History | |
Founded | 1994 |
Founder(s) | Paul Adefarasin |
When Adefarasin returned to Nigeria in 1994, he decided to start a Christian church (now House On The Rock) from his mother’s living room in Lagos. The ministry has now grown and had over 50 branches worldwide, mostly in Nigeria, with daughter churches in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.[3][4][5][6]
The Rock Cathedral
The Rock Cathedral (also known as the Millennium Temple) is located in Lekki, Lagos and houses the global headquarters of House On The Rock and The Rock Foundation. Construction of the facility started in 2003, and it now accommodates installations for religious and social programmes, including worship, education, healthcare, community development, reformation training, recreation and social rehabilitation. Paul Adefarasin has been quoted saying that the idea behind the cathedral is to provide a "one-stop centre for Christians looking for materials and goods of every kind."[7][8]
The official commissioning of The Rock Cathedral took place on 20 April 2013, with prominent personalities in attendance, including Goodluck Jonathan and Tony Blair.[9]
The Rock Foundation
The Rock Foundation is a non-profit charity organisation that provides health care, education, social reformation, and relief materials to the needy. The foundation operates primarily in Nigeria and the West Africa region.[10][11][12] Paul Adefarasin serves as Founder and President of the foundation.[13]
Project Spread
Project Spread is an end-of-year empowerment programme by the Rock Foundation that sees the distribution of food, medicine and other supplies to residents in needy communities.[14][15][16]
In December 2017, Paul Adefarasin led a team of about 20,000 participants to the Lagos Island, Ikate-Elegushi, Ebute-Meta and Bariga communities in Lagos to launch the year’s initiative. Adefarasin mentioned during the Lagos Island phase of the Project Spread that he decided to begin the initiative from Lagos Island because he was born within the community.[17][18]
Notable Events
The Experience
The Experience is an annual free musical concert held in Lagos with gospel musicians from Nigeria and around the world attending. The event started in 2006 and is hosted by Paul Adefarasin every year at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.[19][20]
Gospel musicians such as Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Frank Edwards (gospel musician), Nathaniel Bassey, and Chioma Jesus have previously headlined the concert.[21]
References
- Udodiong, Inemesit. "House On The Rock: 7 reasons why young people love this church". Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Paul Adefarasin on the role of faith based organisations in nation building". CNBC Africa. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- "Pastor Paul Adeolu Adefarasin- Something Is About To Happen!". Konnect Africa. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- Udodiong, Inemesit. "Pulse List: Most influential religious leaders of 2017". Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- Udodiong, Inemesit. "Pastor Paul Adefarasin is definitely not a 'Johnny Just Come'". Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- Udodiong, Inemesit. "5 beautiful women who are married to your favourite pastors". Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "SEE President Jonathan, Tony Blair & Paul Adefarasin commissioning The Rock Cathedral in Lagos (PHOTOS) » YNaija". ynaija.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "President Jonathan, Tony Blair attend commissioning of new House on the Rock church cathedral - The ScoopNG". www.thescoopng.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Pastor Paul Adefarasin's House On The Rock Cathedral Church Building In Lekki, Lagos (Photos)". NaijaGistsBlog Nigeria, Nollywood, Celebrity, News, Entertainment, Gist, Gossip, Inspiration, Africa. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Pastor Paul Adefarasin's House On The Rock Cathedral Church Building In Lekki, Lagos (Photos)". NaijaGistsBlog Nigeria, Nollywood, Celebrity, News, Entertainment, Gist, Gossip, Inspiration, Africa. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "House On The Rock Spreads Love Through Project Spread | 360Nobs.com". www.360nobs.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Spreading Love & Joy! House on the Rock gives Food Items, Clothes & Medical Supplies to Communities under its Project Spread Initiative - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Group empowers 20,000 residents in Lagos – Daily Trust". Daily Trust. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "House On The Rock Church Extends Love to Communities - THISDAYLIVE". THISDAYLIVE. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Christmas: Adefarasin takes project spread to Lagos communities - Vanguard News Nigeria". Vanguard News Nigeria. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "House On The Rock Church put smiles on over 2,400 faces with Project Spread". Linda Ikeji's Blog. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- Ekah, Mary (6 November 2018). "Nigeria: House On the Rock Set for Spiritual Empowerment". AllAfrica.
- "'100 diagnosed as hypertensive in two hours' at Project Spread outreach". TheCable Lifestyle. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "How The Experience Lagos is changing perspectives of Africa - Vanguard News Nigeria". Vanguard News Nigeria. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Ambode Attends Experience Concert, Commends Church for Donation to Schools - THISDAYLIVE". THISDAYLIVE. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "The World's Biggest Gospel Concert – The Experience Lagos, Set for 2nd December! | Glazia". glaziang.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.