Reaching. Raising. Restoring.
The mission of Solid Rock Ministries is simple: reaching men and women with the gospel, raising them to maturity in Christ, and restoring them to be productive members of society.
Chaplain Dave Robbins
In the Spring of 1980, after running from the law in Massachusetts, Dave was arrested and taken to Green Cove Springs County Jail near Jacksonville, Florida. After six months in the County Jail, he received a five year sentence for the armed robberies he committed, and was shipped to the Appalachee Correctional Institute. Dave served just over three and a half years on that sentence and was released, but not before placing his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. While in prison, he studied the Bible under the ministry of two godly men, Chaplain Dave Pipping and Chaplain Dave Ring.
Prior to his release, Dave applied to and was accepted at Miami Christian College. Before long he found himself on the campus of a Bible College, where eventually he received a B.A. Degree in Biblical Languages and Pastoral Studies. He continued on to Graduate School, where he received an M.A. in Theological Studies. Dave has taught for over 30 years, ministering at several facilities in Miami; The Opa Locka Work Release Center, and the South Dade Detention Center. Dave was ordained as a pastor in 1995 through SW Community Church, serving as an elder and filling the pulpit for many pastors over the years.
Vocationally, Dave taught for seven years as an adjunct college professor, was an addiction counselor at the Miami Rescue Mission for five years, and was the youth pastor at SW Community Church before returning to Massachusetts in 1999. Dave framed houses for the first few years, until he was introduced to Dr. Harry Fletcher, who in turn introduced him to Good News Jail & Prison Ministry. Dave is in his 13th year as chaplain, serving at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility for four years, and at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility since that time. He has since left Good News Jail & Prison Ministry and started his own Jail & Prison Ministry (Solid Rock Ministries), working with the inmates at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.
Ministries at the jail include pastoral care to staff and inmates, teaching and preaching, discipling, counseling, coordination of religious services and clergy visits, conducting tours, and mentoring inmates.
Dave and his wife Diane have been married since 1987. They have 4 children: Liana, Annalisse, Jesse and Jonathan.
Learn more about Solid Rock Ministries at their website here.
If you would like to donate to Dave's ministry, click here.
Listen to Dave's full interview by clicking the "podcast" button below.