ABOUT ROTV
Our Church History
Our late founding pastor, Elder James R. Purdom, Jr. was ordained by the late Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch. Pastor James R. Purdom founded and organized the Rock of The Valley Church Of God in Christ. His vision was to reach the lost and provide a church in a community that he considered being un-churched. Established in 1995. Rock of the Valley first began meeting at Mission Hills Inn hotel conference room on Sundays. Prayer and Bible Band was held at the home of the Pastor Purdom.
Within three months of the opening of our church, the church had to locate larger space at a school auditorium with two additional classrooms. Bible study and choir rehearsals were held in an adjacent public park facility.
Elder Purdom would do street ministry by going into the surrounding community sharing the gospel and passing out tracks. He was the Sylmar Juvenile Hall Chaplin for many years. He and his wife had such a passion to help combat hunger that they started a food distribution program which went from serving 40 individuals per week to hundreds. Because of the rapid growth of the church attendance, the church sanctuary was remodeled under Pastor H.C. Purdom with an intense desire to have a building where services could be held, the church body began to fast and pray as we searched for suitable space. The Lord led the congregation to its a present location where God told Pastor Purdom to ‘minister to the needs of many people. Rock of the Valley is a mission-minded church with various mission programs. Community outreach activities include the Mission’s Food Pantry and Convalescent ministry.
Rock of the Valley is a fully functional church which consists of various auxiliaries and ministries: Men’s Department, Women’s Department, Young Adults Ministry, and iRock Children & Youth ministry. Each department is active units established by the Church of God in Christ for reaching all ages.
On Tuesday morning, November 3, 2010, Superintendent Elder James Purdom was called home to be with the Lord. On December 10, 2010, the Bishop J. Bernard Hackworth of Testimonial Cathedral C.O.G.I.C. appointed Evangelist H. Cathy Purdom (widow of Superintendent James Purdom) to be Pastor of Rock of the Valley Church of God in Christ.
Rock of the Valley has two worship services on Sundays, morning and evening, as well as an active Sunday School. During the week, there is Prayer and Bible Band, Bible Study, Morning Prayer on Wednesday s, and Friday evening Bible Teaching. Much of the growth of the church is due to the intercessory prayer on Fridays at noon. Rock of the Valley is part of the Greater Love District of the Church of God in Christ with Bishop J. Bernard Hackworth of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern California.
Our Founders
Founding Pastor Superintendent James Purdom Jr
Pastor James R. Purdom Jr. was born on April 22, 1942 in Texarkana, Texas the only child born to the union of James R. Purdom Sr. and Evelyn McCarty Purdom.
When He was 6 months old, the family moved to California. He gave his life to Christ at an early age, serving as a junior deacon, choir member and devotion leader. His favorite song was A Charge to Keep I Have.
He is a product of the LA City School system, a graduate of San Fernando High School. He was an avid sportsman, running track and playing basketball. “Jimmy” or “Big Jim”, affectionately known to family and close friends, was a gentle giant.
He attended LA Valley College, Pierce College and completed advanced studies at Faith Bible College in Whittier, CA as well as Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He held a BS degree in Real Estate Management.
Pastor James Purdom. recommitted his life to Christ in July 1974 at the First AME Church in Los Angeles, CA. He later became a member of First United Methodist Church of Pacoima from 1975 to 1985, where he served as Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Board Member, Bible Teacher, Real Estate Developer, led the Prison Ministries and learned the administrative mechanics of church operation.
After finally meeting the young lady to whom his sister was trying to introduce him, Jim knew that this was the woman that he had prayed for. In 1976, he married his “Almond Joy”, Hazel Catherine Carter.
In 1985 Pastor James Purdom. joined Christ Memorial COGIC in Pacoima, CA and was blessed to have personally served under the tutelage of the late, Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch. Little did he know that he was being prepared for a great work. During his tenure there, he served as Associate Elder, Men’s Department Head, Trustee Board Member, Building Development Committee Member, confidante to Bishop Crouch, Juvenile Hall Prison Ministries and was elevated to Chaplain of the LA County’s Probation Department Sylmar Juvenile Hall. There he gained his pastoral, ecumenical and spiritual training, which assisted him in leading his own flock. He was an anointed shepherd, a dedicated servant and a man of faith and commitment to the Word and work of God.
Pastor James R. Purdom founded and organized the Rock of The Valley Church Of God in Christ. His vision was to reach the loss and provide a church in a community that he considered being un- churched. Established in 1995, the church beginnings were in the Mission Hills Inn. Under the leadership of Pastor Purdom, this congregation has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the San Fernando Valley.
The Jurisdictional Prelate appointed Elder Purdom in 1998 as Treasurer of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern, California and he had revolutionized the entire jurisdictional treasury. He was an active member of the International Usher Board and served at all the COGIC International meetings.
Because of his leadership abilities and spiritually, Pastor James Purdom was appointed as District Superintendent of the Greater Love District. He was handpicked by Superintendent L. David Herron, who was elevated to Emeritus status, and who stated, “I am elated to pass the baton to Pastor Purdom, who I know will take the District to higher heights”.
Superintendent James Purdom, Jr. worked in the grocery business for many years. He later realized his dream of being a Realtor in the Los Angeles area, which utilized his gift of helps in the real estate industry as a Senior Loan officer for “The Mortgage House” in Woodland Hills, CA.
Superintendent James Purdom Jr. entered into Glory on November 3, 2010. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved and cherished him.
Pastor H. Catherine Purdom
Pastor H. Catherine Purdom believes that her steps were ordered by our Lord to teach His word. The eldest girl of twelve children in a family of sharecroppers, Pastor Purdom was blessed to attend college on a full academic scholarship at the age of 16. She entered into Winston Salem State Teachers college, a historically black university, under the separate but equal era of our nation. In her third year, she was introduced to the field of nursing. Pastor Purdom graduated from her class with honors, equipped for a career as a Registered Nurse as well as a teacher.
From North Carolina, she relocated to Southern California and worked in a myriad of hospital and health care settings. And she received her Master’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles. Pastor Purdom was then given the opportunity to utilize her teaching ability as a nursing instructor and Dean of Allied Health Care at College of the Canyons, Valencia California.
Evangelist Catherine Purdom was the wife of the founding pastor, Superintendent James R. Purdom, Jr, of Rock of the Valley Church of God in Christ, whom she met and married in a Methodist Church. For many years and before the thought entered to found Rock of the Valley COGIC, Evangelist and Elder Purdom hosted a weekly bible study in their home, which Evangelist Purdom lead. There was a consistent assemblage of believers that increased greatly in number. However, a greater call in the spirit was beckoning to the fullness of God’s power.
After transferring their membership to Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ, Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch recognized the gift of teaching within Pastor Purdom almost immediately. Her gifts and talents were utilized for several years as the New Members/Converts class teacher as well as the mid-week Bible Study teacher. Shortly thereafter Bishop Crouch ordained her as an evangelist in the Church of God in Christ.
Evangelist H Catherine Purdom served as a delegate for the 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of So. California for more than a decade, where she gained a wealth of knowledge and an absolute love for the Church of God in Christ. Soon after the home-going of her husband. November 3, 2010, Evangelist Catherine Purdom was ordained as Pastor of Rock of the Valley Church of God in Christ. Pastor H. Catherine Purdom is the mother of three children and a loving grandmother.
On September 30, 2019, Pastor Purdom went home to be with the Lord. Her legacy of unconditional love, unrelenting patience, profound endurance, and godly wisdom will live on in the memory and hearts of those who loved and knew her.
Our Beliefs
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential if it does not find a place in this Word.
THE FATHER
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Author and Creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting his nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the “Father” or “My Father”, showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as the Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son (St. John 15:8, 14:20). Jesus also gives God the distinction of “Fatherhood” to all believers when he explains God in the light of “Your Father in Heaven” (St. Matthew 6:8).
THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second person in the Godhead of the Trinity or Triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation (St. John 1:1). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin called Mary according to the scripture (St. Matthew 1:18), thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the Virgin Birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon (St. Matthew 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ became the “suffering servant” to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God, his Father (Romans 5:10). We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5)
THE HOLY GHOST
We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance, equal to power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped. The Holy Ghost is a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 1:8, 8:39).
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 10:46, 19:1-6). We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved (Acts 19:1-6; John 3:5). When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with a tongue unknown to oneself according to the sovereign will of Christ. To be filled with the Spirit means to be Spirit controlled as expressed by Paul in Ephesians 5:18-19. Since the charismatic demonstrations were necessary to help the early church to be successful in implementing the command of Christ, we therefore, believe that a Holy Ghost experience is mandatory for all men today.
MAN
We believe that man was created holy by God, composed of body and soul. We believe that man, by nature, is sinful and unholy. Being born in sin, he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all sins by the blood of Jesus. We believe that man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and that having become a child of God, by being born again and adopted into the family of God, he may, and should, claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
SIN
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world (Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-20),and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief (I Timothy 2:14). Adam’s sin, committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it permanent pollution or depraved human nature to all his descendants. This is called “original sin.” Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God. We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he has fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again (St. John 3:7).
SALVATION
Salvation deals with the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings conversion, faith, justification regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the work of God, which results in a change of mind in respect to man’s relationship to God. (St. Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17; Acts 20:21). Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and a heart trust in the promises of God in Christ (Romans 1:17, 3:28; St. Matthew 9:22; Acts 26:18). Conversion is that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated sinner, in his conscious life, to turn to Him in repentance and faith (II Kings 5:15; II Chronicles 33:12-13; St. Luke 19:8, 9; Acts 8:30). Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured. Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works (Romans 6:4;5:6; Colossians 2:12; 3:1).
ANGELS
The Bible uses the term “angel” (a heavenly body) clearly and primarily to denote messengers or ambassadors of God with such scripture references as Revelations 4:5, which indicates their duty in heaven to praise God (Psalm 103:20), to do God’s will (St. Matthew 18:10) and to behold his face. But since heaven must come down to earth, they also have a mission to earth. The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the Creation, and also that they will accompany Christ in His return in Glory.
DEMONS
Demons denote unclean or evil spirits; they are sometimes called devils or demonic beings. They are evil spirits, belonging to the unseen or spiritual realm, embodied in human beings. The Old Testament refers to the prince of demons, sometimes called Satan (Adversary) or Devil, as having power and wisdom, taking the habitation of other forms such as the serpent (Genesis 3:1). The New Testament speaks of the Devil as Tempter (St. Matthew 4:3) and it goes on to tell the works of Satan, The Devil, and Demons as combating righteousness and good in any form, proving to be an adversary to the saints. Their chief power is exercised to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ. It can well be said that the Christian Church believes in Demons, Satan, and Devils. We believe in their power and purpose. We believe they can be subdued and conquered as in the commandment to the believer by Jesus. “In my name they shall cast out Satan and the work of the Devil and to resist him and then he will flee (WITHDRAW) from you.” (St. Mark 16:17).
THE CHURCH
The Church forms a spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. It professes one faith, shares one hope, and serves one King,. It is the citadel of the truth and God’s agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of knowledge. The name of our Church, “CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST” is supported by I Thessalonians 2:14 and other passages in the Pauline Epistles. The word “CHURCH” or “EKKLESIA” was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 16:18, the occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillippi.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the second coming of Christ; that He shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; St. Matthew 16:27; 24:30; 25:30; Luke 21:27; John 1:14, 17; Titus 2:11) and that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians, 4:16-17). We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure.
DIVINE HEALING
The Church of God in Christ believes in and practices Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles (St. Mark 16:18). Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to His disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith (St. Luke 9:40-41). Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James’ writings in his epistle encourage Elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. Healing is still practiced widely and frequently in the Church of God in Christ, and testimonies of healing in our Church testify to this fact.
MIRACLES
The Church of God in Christ believes that miracles occur to convince men that the Bible is God’s Word. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary visible act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of the will of God, which has as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God’s word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity, do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, The Holy Ghost is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; Luke 4:36, 7:14-15; 5:5-6; St. Mark 14:15).
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
It is generally admitted that for an ordinance to be valid, it must have been instituted by Christ. When we speak of ordinances of the church, we are speaking of those instituted by Christ, in which by sensible signs the grace of God in Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace are represented, sealed, and applied to believers, and these in turn give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The Church Of God In Christ recognizes three ordinances as having been instituted by Christ himself and therefore, binding upon the church practice.
A. THE LORD’S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION)
The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the Lord’s death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer’s participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.
B. FEET WASHING
Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church because Christ, by His example, showed that humility characterized greatness in the Kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by love, exists. These services are held subsequent to the Lord’s Supper; however, its regularity is left to the discretion of the Pastor in charge.
C. WATER BAPTISM
We believe that Water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ in St. John 3:5, “UNLESS MAN BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT.”
However, we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation, but is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to “SPRINKLING” , because immersion corresponds more closely to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord (Colossians 2:12). It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism. We believe that we should use the Baptismal Formula given us by Christ for all “…IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER , AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST.” (St. Matthew 28:19)
