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Sunday School -
9:30 am
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Sunday Morning Worship -
10:30 am |
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Sunday Night Fire -
7:00 pm | |
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Ladies Prayer -
11:00 am
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Family Prayer -
7:30 pm | |
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Bible Study -
7:30 pm
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Meet the Pastor
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| Pastor Lester & Sis. Sharon Roch |
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Dr. Lester A. Roch is a graduate of the University of Houston and Freedom University from which he received his BBA and Doctorate Degree in Theology respectively. He was born into an Apostolic family and has a rich heritage and lineage of Apostolic Faith as a fourth generation Pentecostal. His grandparents, Rev. and Rev. T. M. Bowen were pioneers of the Apostolic Movement. They were the founders of the Irvington Pentecostal Church over 70 years ago.
Dr. Roch and Sis. Sharon Roch's life connection began at the ages of 4 and 5. They first joined hands as the miniature bride and groom in the wedding of a family friend. This served as an unique foreshadow of their actual union on September 20, 1968. They both attended Irvington Penetcostal Church from birth and attended the University of Houston together. They have truly been wonderful partners in life and in ministry.
While they served together as youth ministers under Rev. C.L. Dees, their lives were enriched by the birth of a red-headed baby girl. Under their direction, the youth group grew from 19 to over 225 members in two years. Soon after, in 1976, Pastor and Sis. Roch and Rochelle came to Kashmere Gardens to begin what would become a lifetime ministry. From a small Sunday School outreach to the now vibrant congregation of diverse backgrounds and races, God has brought forth a tremendous people for the name of Jesus.
Pastor and Sis. Roch continue to be a remarkable influence in our community, nation, and throughout the world. Pastor Roch serves on the Committee for Evangelism into the Black Community and is a vocal and influential proponent of worship and fellowship regardless of race or social status. He has received numerous commendations from the City of Houston, Kashmere Gardens, and various civic groups. In light of his many years of service and sacrifice, Houston Mayor Lee Brown declared Oct. 27, 2003 to be Pastor Lester Roch Day. The Texas House of Representatives also passed a resolution honoring Pastor and Sis. Roch for their years of service. Pastor Roch heads the United Pentecostal Church's Africa Team to Zimbabwe and has made numerous evangelical trips to the continent of Africa over the past 25 years.
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After graduating from the Life Christian Academy in 1990, the Roch's daughter, Rochelle, further pursued her education and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Business Management and Finance from the University of Houston in 1995. She later attended Christian Life College in Stockton, CA. to study music. She assists her parents in their service to Apostolic Tabernacle as an Accounting/Financial Administrator and in the Music Department. She is also a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations and is the fulltime mother of their granddaughter and grandsons.
Rochelle is married to Steven Skeele who was born and reared in New York. Steven is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology New York with a Degree in Civil Engineering Technology. For the past 20 years he has worked in the Structural Engineering field and is a Division Manager and is a licensed Profession Engineer in 10 states.
Out of their union have come Savannah Rochelle Skeele, Regan Sebastian Roch Skeele and Rhyse Schroeder Roch Skeele, who are their pride and joy. They are enjoying parenthood and look forward to a growing family. They are dedicated to the support of Pastor and Sis. Roch and their ministry at Apostolic Tabernacle.
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In spite of all that God has accomplished through them, Pastor and Sis. Roch remain humble and remarkably down to earth. Grandparenting is their new "hobby", but his other hobbies include piloting airplanes and building new and vintage motorcycles. Sis Roch enjoys riding with him; however, it appears that their granddaughter, Savannah Rochelle Skeele, will soon become his motorcycle partner.
Click here for more of Pastor Rochs' bikes and hobbies
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The Rochs are an adventurous couple who enjoy each other and life to the fullest. They serve as a wonderful example of the quality of marriage one can enjoy when seeking first the kingdom of God and sacrificing for His will. They enjoy working together but they enjoy living together as well. Whenever they do get some well deserved relaxation time, they travel in search of new experiences.
Click here for pictures from the Rochs' travels
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One destination of particular interest for the Rochs is Zimbabwe, Africa. They have had a love interest for that nation since the early 70's. Sis Wilma Nix, one of the pioneering missionaries to Zimbabwe, came out of the Irvington Pentecostal Church when both pastor and sister Roch were still there.
Their relationship with Sis. Nix sparked their long-term interest in the southern African nation and has culminated with Pastor Roch being appointed the head of the UPCI team to Zimbabwe. They have made many trips over the years; the most recent being by a group of women headed by Sis. Roch for the annual Women's Conference.
Click here for more pictures from Sis. Roch's Africa trips
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Savannah, Regan and Rhyse
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Rhyse at one year old
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Regan at two years old
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Savannah at five years old
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