I have driven the I-75 from Detroit to Atlanta several times now. Each time I have noticed the rather imposing structure known as Solid Rock Church which is located in Monroe, Ohio. It is as much a campus as it is a church as it has several buildings spread over a rather large property. As I drove by this time I noticed something a little bit different. Somehow a massive Jesus statue has materialized in front of the building a couple of hundred feet from the highway.
Naturally, as soon as I got home I spent some time on Google trying to get some more information about this thing. It turns out the church has spent a rather substantial amount of money having a 42′ tall statue of Jesus built out of fiberglass and styrofoam. It was built in Florida and shipped to Monroe where it was fitted together. From this time forward whenever I hear the term “abomination” I will think of this monstrosity. The image you see here is a replica, of course, but gives you an idea of what it looks like. Just imagine that thing being 42′ feet high and sitting on the edge of an amphitheatre.
The church says “One of the reasons Solid Rock exists is to let people know that God loves them. What greater symbol than the King of Kings for people who drive by and see it there’s hope? Whatever circumstances they’re in, they’ll see that there’s hope for them…We want them to see it as they’re passing and it bring thoughts of comfort just as they’re passing” The State police, on the other hand, encourage motorists not to look at it, as they worry about rubberneckers causing accidents as they pay homage at 65 miles per hour.
I noticed the church is having a few guest speakers this week and they include Rod “Sweaty” Parsley and T.D. Jakes. According to their Web site you are not allowed to work in a ministry if you haven’t received the bapstism of the Holy Spirit. I’m guessing this isn’t a church I would feel very comfortable in!
