The dream of The Rock Church was planted in Pastor Kirk & Lisa Winter’s hearts in October of 1997 while they were living in Jacksonville, Florida. In May of 1998, Pastor Kirk and Lisa moved back to Maine and rented a house in Portland.  Our first year as a church was marked by many moves. The church began as a Bible Study in the pastor’s home with 6 adults and 8 children.  Then, we held a couple of services at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland.  We moved from there to a warehouse in Westbrook for a couple of months and ended our first year holding meetings in the  Howard Johnson Hotel in South Portland. 

Our Second Year
We took a step of faith our second year by leasing our first worship facility at 183 U.S. Rte One in Scarborough. We completely renovated this space and grew quickly at our new location.

Our Third Year
We began holding meetings at Royal Ridge Church of God in Scarborough during our third year.  This was a real time of testing for the congregation as we shared a building with another church and had a limited schedule.  The Lord enabled us, however, to save enough money to be used as a down payment on our current facility.

Year Four to Year Six
We moved into our current location here at 7 Braeburn Ave in 2002.  Since coming to this location we have reached several milestones: 1) Our congregation has grown from a handful to a healthy body.  2)We have launched many successful outreaches such as: The ROC youth meetings at Jokers, Harvest Party, The Passion of The Christ Movie, Honor Our Heroes Family Fun Day.  3) We’ve baptized over 100 believers.  4) The Rock of Portland became debt-free in 2004.  

Year Seven and Beyond
In our seventh year we launched a second Rock Church in Bangor.  Our founding pastors Kirk and Lisa Winters began The Rock Church of Greater Bangor in a newly purchased facility on 10 acres of land on October 2, 2005.  At this time our associate pastor Eric Samuelson became Senior Pastor at the Rock in Portland.  We hope you will become a part of the history of what God is doing here at The Rock!

                      Rock Church- Bangor        Rock Church -Portland

Who We Are at The Rock Church of Winter Harbor

Hi, I'm Bruce, Pastor of the Rock Church in Winter Harbor. My wife Vivian and I are so glad that you found our website. Welcome!!

We have been married for 34 years. It all started in high school, where we became sweethearts. I moved to Eastport Maine in 1972 and I met Viv. Two days after graduating from Shead, we were married. We now have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren all living in Maine.

After 5 1/2 years of military life, we returned to the Eastport area. This is when I received Jesus. Since that time, I have served years as a layman elder, teaching and doing what ever God called me to do. I have pastored 3 1/2 years in Eastport, filled several interim positions and worked full time as a builder since 1983.

The scripture that best describes our ministry is the hope that lives can be changed as ours has...

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We want to thank you for reading our website and now invite you to join us in a life changing experience. May God Bless You!

Pastor Bruce and Vivian.