Meet Our Leadership
Pastors
Senior Pastor
Peter Rochelle
Founding COTR in 1999, Peter’s calling is to encourage and equip God’s people through faithful expository preaching and teaching. Peter also enjoys riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, playing basketball, and reading.
Peter was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and is married to his beautiful wife, Kimberly. Together they have two daughters, Jamie Elizabeth and Kristin Nicole.
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Peter's favorite verses are 2 Corinthians 5:21 which reads, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him," and Romans 1:16 which states, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Elder
Clyde Alston
Clyde was born in Durham, NC, and has been a member and faithful servant to COTR since its inception. He and his wife, Nadia, have been married for more than twenty years and have two beautiful daughters. You can see his love of the Lord in all interactions with him. He has served as an Elder, Deacon and Men’s Ministry leader. He is a humble servant, with a warm and welcoming spirit.
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Jude 24-25 is one of his favorite passages of scripture: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in His presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
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Elder
Mark Darby
A devoted student of God’s Word, Mark has blessed COTR since 2011 with his rap and poetry skills, his teaching, and his willingness to serve where he can. He is married to Portia and they have two children. Mark and his family enjoy time together at various parks and nature trails.
Mark is grateful for the Lord’s deep love for us, the way Christ gave his life to call us friends and shares all things with us. One of Mark’s favorite verses is John 15:13-15, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
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Elder
Matthew Hodges
Matt and his wife of over 25 years, Zinnada, have five children and have been attending Church on the Rock since 2021. In addition to serving as an Elder, Matt serves as a corporate chaplain. Matt is a gifted Bible teacher and an encourager. He also enjoys old TV shows and watching sports, especially teams local to the Maryland area, where he grew up.
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When asked what is your favorite characteristic of God, Matt spoke of God’s mercy that changed where he will spend eternity because of Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross. One of his favorite passages on God’s mercy is Ephesians 2:4-6, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Elder
Melvin Nowling
At work, Melvin helps people in need as a licensed mental health and substance abuse professional. Away from work, Melvin enjoys spending time with his wife of over 20 years, LaChandle, and his three remarkable sons. He also greatly enjoys sports – watching sports, bowling, playing basketball and table tennis. He goes on to say he enjoys being around people and laughing. Upon retirement, Melvin hopes to lead a lay counseling ministry at a church.
His favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deacons
Deaconess
Nadia Alston
Nadia and her husband (Elder) Clyde, who were high school sweethearts, have been part of Church on the Rock since its inception, and have stayed because of the consistent, sound biblical teaching and joyful fellowship.
Sister Nadia says, “Growing up, I attended church out of obedience to my parents. But in my late 20s, God revealed the sin of self-centeredness, as well as many other sins that accompanied it.” In conclusion, she stated, “I remain eternally grateful to Him for removing my sin and spiritual blindness and welcoming me as His child.”
Deacon
Tyrone Ayers
Tyrone was born and raised on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, hence he developed a love for the ocean and the beauty of all of God’s creation at an early age. He has been blessed to be married to his lovely wife, Teresa, for over 35 years.
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His favorite Bible verse is “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
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Deacon
Andre Curtain
Andre grew up in High Point and has been a member of COTR since 2004. He and his wife, LaShika, have two sons and enjoy spending time together as a family. Andre also enjoys reading and learning about new technologies. His warmth shines through every interaction, and he is always ready to serve where he can.
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Andre is especially thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness. He loves the way God “protects and sustains his work and is at work in people before we even reach them.” His favorite verse, Acts 18:9-10, reflects the faithfulness of God: “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Deaconess​
Sarah Rochelle
“I love the Lord, and love serving His people at COTR,” shows the heart and spirit of Sarah. Her warm smile, and hearty greeting makes everyone feel welcome and at ease when you meet her. She has been a member of Church on the Rock since its conception, over 20 years ago.
She is the consummate servant leader. In addition to her Deaconess role, she also serves as facilitator for the COTR Women’s Ministry and works in the Youth Ministry. God has blessed her with three sons and five grandchildren. Her guiding scripture is Hebrews 13:5- “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Staff
Administrative Assistant
Kimberly Rochelle
As part-time Administrative Assistant of Church on the Rock at Raleigh (COTR), the Lord has given Kim the unique opportunity to not only serve and meet the administrative needs of the church, but to also work alongside her husband in ministry. Kim is married to Pastor Pete and they have two adult daughters, Jamie and Kristin.
As she serves in her role, she is guided by Colossians 3:23-24 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Respectively, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” and “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”