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THE HISTORY OF SOLID ROCK


History of Solid Rock, as told by our most senior member: Robert Kelly

Solid Rock was started in 1987/88 by a small group of students that felt that the normal bible study groups around the University, did not meet their requirements for fellowship and support. Solid Rock started its meetings in a small way in Sherwood Hall, and then moved to Florence Nightingale Hall (FN). One of the leaders of the group was a tutor in FN and a lot of the Solid Rock girls lived in Florence Nightingale Hall (it was a girls only hall for a long time). We used to meet in the Junior Common Room (JCR) every Friday night. I did not come to Nottingham until 1990, so a lot of the founding members had left by the time I arrived, however some of the medics and architecture students remained as their courses were so much longer than the others. I recall Jun Sim in particular. She was a student majoring in architecture and the tutor in FN. I corresponded with her a few years ago. She was amazed (and very pleased) that Solid Rock still existed.

Solid Rock Testimony by most senior member, Robert Kelly.

I feel that the reason that Solid Rock (SR) has continued for so long is the need for social support and similar lifestyles of the people in SR. Whilst you may have a christian fellowship with home students, when you try and explain what it is like to be so far away from your families and culture, they will have no idea of what you truly mean in the same way that a fellow Solid Rock-er (SRer) will. Over the years, I have seen the support of SR can give to those in real need. But everyone has a need, you arrive in a strange country, lonely and afraid. Here is a group that understands you, they "talk the same language" as you do.

Christian fellowship is important, but you can find that anywhere with home or international students. The strength of SR and the reason it continues from year to year is the support and encouragement that the members can give each other, by people who know and understand what you are feeling.