John Gimenez passes

[Susie Hamilton]

John Gimenez, long-time pastor of Rock Church has died


John Gimenez, long time minister at Rock Church on Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach died Tuesday as the result of a massive stroke.

According to a spokesperson, he had been fighting cancer for some time. The stroke occurred at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at his home. Gimenez was 76-years-old.

The Rev. Pat Robertson, whose 700 Club ministry had close ties with Rock Church, issued the following statement:

"My heart is deeply saddened at the passing of my dear friend, John Gimenez. I first met John in 1965 in London, England where he was performing with a Christian singing group called The Addicts. I later invited him to come as a guest on my 700 Club television program, then to a ministry trip to Bogotá, Colombia, and then to a pastorate of what became one of the largest churches in Virginia.

John and his dear wife, Ann, have been close friends for over 40 years. We served together in the ground-breaking Washington For Jesus in 1980.

I have seen in John a heart filled with faith, a heart filled with love for America, a heart of compassion for the less fortunate in our society, and a heart of love for all people. Words fail to express the sense of loss that I feel at the knowledge this great gospel light has been extinguished. The Bible tells us, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." I know that God's angels have stooped down to welcome into heaven a champion of the faith.

I was on the telephone talking to John's wife, Ann, when news came that he was dead. I extend to Ann and to John's family my deepest sympathy and prayer that the comfort of the Lord might surround them.

Rahab writes:
I had the pleasure of meeting him about 14 years ago. My Mom was here with me for a few weeks and we went to their bookstore and he walked in. We talked with him and took pics. He seemed like a very humble man of God.

[pastorables]

John Gimenez, long-time pastor of Rock Church has died

My condolences. My memories of Pastor Gimenez concern the "Washington For Jesus" rally he organized several years back, I believe in the late eighties. I remember watching Elwood Matthews on TBN leading several "flag waving" church members through the streets of D.C.

pa

[one love]

i WENT TO ROCK CHURCH A FEW TIMES WHEN I WAS YOUNG HE HAD A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY, HE WAS FROM GANGS IN NEW YORK. hE HAD CHURCHES ALL OVER THE WORLD. wONDERFUL MAN OF GOD.
ROCK CHURCH IS A REALLY BIG CHURCH WE DID THE FLOORS IN THE NEW BUILDING. HE WAS ON BENNY HINNA FEW YEARS AGO.

[rough_rider]

Sad news, I remember watching them years ago.

[free]

I was able to talk to him a few times...A very nice man who truly loved to help the less fortunate of society.