Saluting his father with a kiss on the top of the head, Min. D. Christopher Rourk, 46 boasted,
“This is my father in whom I am well pleased.”
As speaker for the Pastor’s Appreciation at the Greater Adams Street Church of God By Faith Sunday service, Minister Rourk chose the topic, “Check Your Resume,” emphasizing the Biblical account of Hezekiah’s conversation with God recorded in Isaiah 38.
“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
“Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,
“And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
“Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,
“Go, and say to Hezekiah Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years,”
Minister Rourk chose this passage not because he thinks his father is about to pass, but rather because of his parents being able to recite their record to God. Highlighting the ministry of Pastor David and First Lady Ruth Rourk, their only son cited their many accomplishments, both secular and spiritual.
“The Pastor and First Lady have lived their lives fulfilling God’s call. They have worshipped and served Him in spirit and in truth. When they go to God with requests they can say, just like Hezekiah, ‘you know my record, you know my heart; you know what I’ve done. Lord, hear my cry.’
“When they’ve gone to God, all these years, there’s no personal agenda, there was no attitude that this was just for me.
“They don’t have that type of character in them – They are shepherds. The only type of benefit they sought to obtain was God’s grace and mercy in their lives and the lives of their family and flock. They love the people, they care for the people.
“In leading his flock, Pastor has facilitated & orchestrated the spiritual gifts that were birthed in this house, and how masterfully he has appointed people to positions and allowed them to flourish under the anointing. The Pastor and First Lady are honest and caring folk, we have gems over here.”
For more than forty years, Rev. Rourk has travelled extensively to nearly every national COGBF convention, all while raising four children and working full-time at Eastman Kodak, retiring as a Motion Picture Specialist. Prior to being ordained and appointed Pastor in 1974 Rev. Rourk served as National Youth Council President, Sunday school teacher, deacon and an Associate Minister at Prayer House COGBF, also in Rochester.
In recognition of Pastor’s Appreciation Month, members of the Northwestern New York District also gathered at the Diplomat Party House to celebrate the Rev. Dr. David C. Rourk for his 80 years of life and 40 years of dedicated service as Pastor of Greater Adams Street COGBF, at 230 Adams Street, in Rochester.
Until recently, Rev. Rourk also served as District Superintendent of churches in Rochester, Webster, Sodus Center, Batavia, Buffalo, Syracuse, Geneva, and three out-of-state churches. On a national level he serves as one of five Ruling Elders of the Pentecostal Denomination, which has 170 churches. His 1991 appointment was followed by becoming the Executive Secretary in 2003.
Monroe County Legislator Willie Joe Lightfoot presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Pastor, “…for his years of service to our community and in celebration of his 80th birthday.”
Born in Bolivia, North Carolina, Rev. Rourk lost his parents at a young age, leaving him and a brother orphans. They were adopted by a COGBF Missionary and relocated to Lake Alfred, Florida.
As Valedictorian of his High School class he pursued his education at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida; and later at the Rochester Business Institute. In 1953, at age 19, he moved to Rochester; accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, and joined the local COGBF, (originally located at Troup and Ford Streets). Rev. and First Lady Rourk have been married for 56 years.
