MONROE — The Solid Rock Church is mourning the loss of its founder, the Rev. Lawrence Bishop, who died on Friday at the age of 69 after suffering a stroke.

On Thursday, Bishop was transported to the Atrium Medical Center after being found unresponsive. He was later transferred to Christ Hospital where it was determined that he died as a result of a massive brain stem stroke, according to a statement sent from the church.

Ron Carter, the longtime church administrator, said, “Of course, the whole church is shocked and we are grieving. It’s just a real heavy time. Like the Bible says, we are cast down, but not destroyed.”

Carter said the Sunday services would be short and that Bishop’s wife, Darlene would speak to the congregation. She and Bishop’s son Lawrence Bishop II declined to comment Saturday.

“He was a very effective preacher. The church grew under his leadership from 12 people when we started to over 3,000 today,” Carter said.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Friday at Solid Rock Church, 903 Union Road, in Monroe. Dwight Thompson, Rod Parsley and Steve Fender will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Bishop founded Solid Rock Church in 1978. This was inspired by randomly reading Matthew 6:33 in his Bible: “(S)eek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

The church — which was known for its giant statue of Jesus that faced Interstate 75 and its subsequent combustion in June 2010 when lightning struck it — was relocated in 1992 to Monroe he outgrew his Middletown church.

In addition to his ministry at Solid Rock Church, Bishop was a nationally recognized horse rancher and breeder of quarter horses. He operated the LB Ranch in Monroe, which produced several World Champion quarter horses. Lawrence shipped horses across the country, as well as exported horses to Canada, Europe and other parts of the world. Prior to founding Solid Rock Church, he was a nationally sought after Quarter Horse Auctioneer.

By the mid-1970s, Lawrence’s business as a horse breeder and auctioneer was booming, according to Middletown Journal and Hamilton JournalNews archives, but he had said he was drifting away from God and his family.

Besides preaching, Bishop’s passion was bluegrass gospel music, according to the church’s statement. He was a mandolin player and songwriter. He along with his band released six gospel bluegrass CDs and had four number one songs. He was 2005 Music Evangelist of the Year and 2007 Inspirational Bluegrass Artist. He also fulfilled his life-long dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Bishop was born on July 3, 1942, in Zag, Kentucky, the son of Gardner and Mary (Carter) Bishop. He is survived by his wife and son ; three daughters, Jana (Mark) Mitten of Monroe, Renee (Doron) Kim of Los Angeles, Calif., and Julie (Leroy) Hooks of Monroe; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers and one sister. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carrie Nipper.

Solid Rock’s Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today at the church, 903 N. Union Road, Monroe.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.