Our church is made up of a vibrant community of believers who are passionate about worshiping God, growing in our faith, serving our community, and having meaningful fellowship with one another as well. Whether you are looking for a church home or just visiting, we invite you to join us for worship, fellowship, and ministry. We hope that you will find our website to be a helpful resource for learning about our church, our ministries, and our beliefs. We look forward to hopefully meeting you soon and greeting you in a more personal way.
In the summer of 1954, Rev. L.B. Jones, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockdale, appointed a committee to initiate the organization of a new church. There was an urgent need for a new congregation in town because of an increase in population. First Baptist, at that time, did not have the capacity to expand.
The deacons at First Baptist recommended to their congregation that their building fund be donated to the new church. The congregation unanimously voted its approval of this recommendation.
The first sunday school and church services were held on June 20, 1954, in the Rockdale Elementary School Cafetorium with 161 in attendance. Baylor ministerial student, Billy Grissom, delivered the messages for the day.
On June 23, 1954, the church ordained its first deacon: J.M. Coffey. The first person to be baptized into the church was Shirley Brown on September 11, 1955. The first wedding was on September 30, 1955, when Barbara Joyce Smith married George Weldon Swearingen.
On August 1, 1954, the church extended a call to Rev. A.L. Gatewood of Columbia, MS to serve as Meadowbrook’s first pastor.
Since then, Meadowbrook has taken several international mission trips, helped start a mission in Ukraine, helped start Place of Hope (pregnancy resource center), and many other projects.
Meadowbook is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, and the Milam Baptist Association.
Stephen was called to be our Pastor, Sunday, March 19, 2017. He arrived here on May 1st, coming from FBC Darrouzett in the Texas panhandle. He is married to Tammie Ammons and they have two daughters, Abigale and Rebekah, and one son Matthew.
Pastor Stephen grew up in Dayton, TX and attended college at Tarleton State University when God called him into ministry. He spent 10 years in youth ministry while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Ministry and Leadership. He went on to earn his Masters in Theological Studies at Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. You can read his article, “Pastor’s Corner” in our monthly newsletter.
Collin was called to serve at Meadowbrook in April of 2021 and arrived on June 1st. Collin is married to LuToria (Tori), and they have two sons, Isaiah and Elias. Collin has earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Apologetics from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Collin grew up in Altus, OK and attended Oklahoma Baptist University where he met his wife, and received a Bachelors in Religion with a Biblical Studies Emphasis. Collin has been serving in ministry at some capacity since he graduated OBU in 2017. Collin hosts our weekly Sunday Night radio show on KRXT at 6:00PM every Sunday Night.
Becky Phillips has been the Office Manager for the last 19 years. She was born in Yoakum, TX and raised in Corpus Christi, TX. She has been married to Barry Phillips for 53 years. Together, they have three children; Tammy, Jennifer, and Wade. Tammy and Jennifer are with the Lord. She has two grandchildren: Halle Jennifer, and Zachary Wade. Becky has been an active member of Meadowbrook for 30 years. She teaches a ladies Bible study on Tuesday nights and sings in the choir. Becky has lived in Rockdale for 34 years and enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with friends and family..
We believe, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (New International Version).
We voluntarily band ourselves together as a self-governing body of believers in Jesus Christ, equal in rank and privileges, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who are personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to a lost mankind.
We believe God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is the sole creator of the universe, is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, by His death on the cross He made provision for our redemption from sin. He was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and is now the mediator between God and man, and will return in power and glory as the consummation of His mission. The Holy Spirit enables us to understand truth and righteousness; exalts Christ, convicts of sin, and cultivates Christian character and growth. He is our comforter, and it is through Him we receive the spiritual gifts by which we serve God through His church.
We further commit ourselves to the observance of the ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion as a symbol of the burial of our old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus; and the Lord’s Supper as a memorial to the death of Christ and in anticipation of His second coming.
There's always something going on at Meadowbrook for adults of all ages, youth, children, and the whole family. See below for a sampling of our upcoming events!
Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Bible Study at 6:00 p.m.
Meadowbrook Baptist is thrilled to be part of the spread of God’s kingdom around the world. The missions we are involved in at this time are in Ukraine. Our Ukraine Mission is called EWay, a Christian English School. Though we aren't physically going to Ukraine at this time, we are thankful to have the opportunity to support EWay and the work God is doing there. We encourage all of our people to respond to God’s call for laborers, whether it means that they move to a foreign country or live and minister in our own community.
We are thankful to have the opportunity to support our missionaries working with Eway and the work God is doing there.
God-honoring worship is something we strive for. Many church members get involved in our music ministry. Some play their instruments. Some are vocalists. Others are involved in the choir. These volunteers are an important part of the ministry of our church, using their talents and gifts to glorify God.
The usher team at our church fills an important role. They are involved in directing attendees to their seats, ensuring the safety of the building during services, guiding traffic, helping visitors, answering questions, providing direction, unlocking doors, locking doors, and generally ensuring that the service can proceed problem-free. The usher team is a servant-hearted group of men and women whose ministry is integral to church life.
Using media to spread the gospel is a privilege of this church. In an age of widespread technology, we have a stewardship to use these tools as best as possible for kingdom purposes. All of our weekly sermons are uploaded to YouTube and Facebook. We also maintain an active Facebook feed for additional church communication.
Marriages can be difficult to maintain. Misunderstanding, confusion, resentment, and anger can flare up in any marriage. Marriage Counseling at this time is done by our pastor. He is available for this and other Pastoral Counseling that may be needed. Couples have found fresh hope and new joy in a warm and fulfilling relationship with their spouse.
Each Sunday, our church prays for the ministry of the Word. Throughout the week members are praying for needs that arise from our community and missionary family.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for ages 4+
Nursery (Birth-Age 4)
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Light meal served
Trail Life: Troop TX-1516
“For Students to Know God and Make Him Known.”
~John 17:3, 26
The purpose of the student ministry at Meadowbrook Baptist Church of Rockdale is to lead students to KNOW GOD through the study of His Word and corporate worship and through practicing spiritual disciplines, and to MAKE HIM KNOWN through selfless service to others and sharing the love of God to everyone they encounter both in the church and in the world.
Sundays
Wednesdays
Grief Summer Support Series
* Covid 19 and Grief
* Anxiety and Grief
* Dealing with Loneliness
* Establishing a new normal after grief
Addressing these topics will be GriefShare experts you’ve come to trust, such as Brad
Hambrick, Sabrina Black, Norm Wright, Linda Mintle, Ramon Presson, Robert DeVries,
and Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge.
It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Going to GriefShare feels like having warm arms wrapped around you when you’re shivering.” GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments, and on-location video.
After viewing the video, you and the other group members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.
During the week you will have the opportunity to use your workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sort out your emotions through journaling. Your group will spend time discussing questions and comments from the workbook study.
GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. We understand that there are other losses in life that create feelings of grief. You might be experiencing a job loss, a divorce, estrangement from a child, or the loss of friends because of a move. This grief is real, but it is not the kind of grief discussed in GriefShare sessions. We encourage you to ask a pastor, counselor, or church leader for help in finding resources that will be of specific help in your situation. If you are going through separation or divorce, please consider participating in a DivorceCare program.
You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. Each is “self-contained,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. You will be able to continue with GriefShare through the next 13-week cycle and view any of the videos you have not seen.
“I’ve never been to a support group like this before. I don’t know what to expect.”
Most people quickly feel comfortable and accepted in their GriefShare group. They discover there are others who have the same kind of feelings they do and who understand the hurt they feel and the loss they have experienced. Here is an overview of the GriefShare experience:
You’ll probably feel a little nervous about going to GriefShare the first time. Those feelings go away quickly for most people, usually during the first session they attend. GriefShare is a warm, caring environment designed to help you.
You’ll discover there are people who understand your hurts, emotions, and painful experiences!When someone you love dies, it’s common to feel isolated. In GriefShare, you’ll find that you are not alone, that there are others who understand what you are going through.
You’ll learn helpful, practical information that will help you recover from the pain of grief and loss.The GriefShare DVD videos feature top experts on grief recovery subjects and case studies of people just like you, who have been through the grief experience.
You’ll have the chance to talk about your experiences. It can be very healing to tell others what you are going through. The support group sessions include a time to talk about what you’ve seen on the GriefShare videos and what is going on in your life. And while you have the opportunity to tell your story, there’s never pressure for you to do so if you don’t feel like it.
You’ll have a workbook for personal study and to write down things you’ve learned. The workbook provides opportunity for further study about the grief process and personal reflection about your grief. The weekly journaling questions help you sort through your emotions. You can tear out and carry with you the perforated “Care Cards” for words of encouragement during the lowest points of your day.
You’ll begin to gain closure in your loss. It’s sometimes hard to move on in life when you are still dealing with the grief and emptiness that happens after a loved one dies. You’ll learn how to go through a healthy season of grieving, then begin transitioning to emotional and spiritual wholeness. We call this “your journey from mourning to joy.”
You’ll become part of a “family.” GriefShare group members often tell us that they feel like their group has become a family, that they made new friends and are around people they can relate to.
You’ll discover hope for the future. While things may look bleak now, you’ll learn ways to restore your hope and rebuild your life. Many GriefShare alumni tell us the program helped them move from deep grief to peace and a sense of joy again.
The leadership team for GriefShare consists of people who understand how you feel and have a real concern for individuals experiencing the grief of loss. Most GriefShare leaders have experienced significant losses in their lives and are examples of the healing and restoration that can occur as an outgrowth of deep grief.
"FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO."
~MATTHEW 6:21
God is generous and so He calls us to be as well. What we do with what God has given us shows the world where our hearts are at and helps proclaim the gospel. We want to glorify God with every area of our lives, and that includes what we do with our finances. Your donations help to fuel the mission of God at MBC and all the ministries and organizations it supports. Thank you! We are so grateful for your contribution to our church. Your kindness and generosity will help us make a difference in the lives of those in need and for the Kingdom of God.
