A Family of Faith in Central Alabama
Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church sits along Rock Mountain Lake Road in McCalla, a small community in Jefferson County, Alabama. The congregation calls itself a family of faith, and with fewer than one hundred members, it really does feel like one. Pastor Jason Dollar describes the body this way: "With less than 100 members, RMLBC is not too big. Most everybody knows most everybody else. It's a family atmosphere, and there's a lot of support and prayer among our people." Average attendance hovers around eighty-four each week, small enough for close friendships, large enough for a children's ministry, a youth ministry, a praise band, and an international mission footprint that reaches across thousands of miles.
The church sees itself as not too small, either. "God has called us to do big things," the pastor writes, "and with his help, we are seeking to do them." That blend of intimate community and outward mission runs through every part of the church's life.
Sundays at Rock Mountain Lakes
The Sunday rhythm begins at 9:30 AM with Sunday School for all age groups, followed by morning worship at 10:30 AM. The service typically wraps up by 11:45 AM, with the sermon running about thirty to forty minutes. Two Sunday evening Bible studies also gather on most weeks: a women's Bible study and a men's Bible study, both at 5:30 PM, serving as small-group settings around the Word.
Visitors are warmly welcomed. Dress is relaxed - jeans, a dress, or a tie all fit comfortably. There is no expectation to give; the offering is a member-led act of worship, and visitors are not put on the spot. After the singing portion of the service, children in pre-K through second grade are dismissed for children's church. A nursery is available for infants and toddlers in the church gym, where someone is ready to assist parents before the service begins.
Worship is livestreamed on Facebook every Sunday morning at 10:30, and past services are archived for those who miss a Sunday. The music ministry posts its upcoming song sets in advance, listing keys and SongSelect numbers so musicians and singers can prepare.
A Blended Sound of Worship
The praise band leads a deliberately mixed repertoire. As the church puts it: "We try to blend our music, mixing older and newer songs together. We do some hymns, some modern worship songs, some southern gospel - a little bit of everything. The main thing is to help people sincerely praise Jesus in song." A glance at the Sunday set lists confirms that blend: in a single morning, the congregation might move from "Softly and Tenderly" to "King of Kings," or from "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" to "Graves into Gardens." Christmas services layer "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night" alongside "Born that We May Have Life." A typical week pulls in "To God Be the Glory," "I Speak Jesus," "Is He Worthy?," "Here I Am to Worship," and "In Christ Alone."
Band rehearsal takes place every Wednesday at 5:30 PM and every Sunday at 8:30 AM. The band practices "relentlessly," in the pastor's words, to support the gathered congregation in praise.
Wednesday Nights: The Egg, Youth, and TeamKid
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM split the church into three parallel gatherings. TeamKid is the children's ministry, combining Bible study and recreation for kids. The Youth Gathering draws middle and high school students for their own study and fellowship. The Egg is the adult Bible study, an open, discussion-based setting where adults work through Scripture together. The spring term runs from January 21 through May 20, and the fall term runs September 2 through November 18.
A Thursday Prayer Team also meets weekly to bring specific needs before the Lord in detail.
Peru: Twelve Trips to Arequipa
Since November 2010, RMLBC has sent a mission team every year to Arequipa in southern Peru, and 2026 marked the church's twelfth trip. The team partners with several ministries on the ground: Casa Hogar Aldea Sagrada Familia, a home for children with disabilities; a girls' home and a boys' home run by Pastor Jose and his wife Gloria; a Christian school led by Pastor Claudio Azevedo and his wife Andrea that reaches children in need with the gospel and a solid education; and two local churches, Calvary Chapel El Mirador and Calvary Chapel Arequipa. The team also visits and supports five local families caring for children with severe disabilities.
During the trip, the team proclaims the gospel, supports sister churches, and feeds the hungry. The 2026 team used a skit of the story of Abigail, developed by church member Sandra Muir, to share the gospel with the children they visited. The church's pastor preaches on Sundays at the partner church, with translation by Steffany. On the team's "fun day," they make the three-hour drive outside the city to Catarata de Pillones, a waterfall that has become a favorite spot for reflection and fellowship.
The annual trip has built lasting friendships across thousands of miles. "It really is difficult to put into words what a trip like this feels like," Pastor Jason writes. "I suppose it feels like the book of Acts come to life in our day. It is not only taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, but it is connecting with people who live there in a way that only God can do." A yearly Fourth of July BBQ lunch back in McCalla serves as one of the fundraisers for the next Peru trip.
Children, Youth, and the Family
Children and teenagers are central to the life of RMLBC. Erin Colvin serves as the children's director, overseeing Sunday morning children's church for pre-K through second grade, TeamKid on Wednesday nights, and Vacation Bible School each summer. Luke Sellers serves as the youth director, leading the Wednesday Youth Gathering and other youth events, including a recent MFuge camp where the youth served alongside other believers to minister to those in need.
The annual Fall Festival, a free community event held each October, brings hundreds of families from the McCalla area onto the church grounds for a night of games and fellowship. Marriage ministry, including periodic Kingdom Marriage studies on Sunday nights and a spring marriage retreat, reflects the church's conviction that the family is "the foundational institution of human society," in the words of the Baptist Faith and Message.
Beliefs and Baptist Identity
Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church has adopted the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as its public profession of faith, and every member is required to agree with the essence and spirit of the statement. The statement covers the Scriptures as a perfect, trustworthy treasure of divine instruction; one true God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the dignity of man made in God's image; salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, including regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification; God's purpose of grace in election and the perseverance of the saints; the church as an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers observing baptism and the Lord's Supper; the Lord's Day; the Kingdom of God; last things; the duty of evangelism and missions; Christian education; stewardship; cooperation among churches; the Christian's relationship to social order; peace and war; religious liberty; and the family. A note attached to Article VI states that the article was amended June 14, 2023, by action of the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention, identifying the church's broader confessional family.
The church practices believer's baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is a public act of obedience symbolizing the believer's death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and for the Lord's Supper, which the church observes as a memorial of Christ's death and a hopeful anticipation of His return.
RMLBC holds firmly to the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, to the deity and saving work of Jesus Christ, and to the present ministry of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and sanctification. Salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by personal faith, and there is no salvation apart from that faith.
Leadership and Congregational Governance
RMLBC is a congregational church. The congregation, under the headship of Christ, makes major church decisions together. Each member is significant in providing overall direction. The congregation has approved the calling of several leaders to guide the church and meet its needs: a pastor, a children's director, a youth director, a non-vocational elder, and a board of deacons.
Pastor Jason Dollar has served the church since 2009. The leadership page opens with the pastor's reflection on Jesus' words in John 13:14 - "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" - setting the tone for servant leadership throughout the body. Luke Sellers serves as youth director, and Erin Colvin serves as children's director. Behind the scenes, a finance team, a buildings and grounds team, and a janitorial staff keep the property in good order, while senior adults enjoy rich fellowship in Christ and the men's ministry plans both weekly Bible study in 1 Peter and broader fellowship events for the whole church.
Rock Mountain Live Podcast
On Friday mornings at 7:00 AM, Pastor Jason Dollar hosts Rock Mountain Live, a Facebook Live podcast with co-hosts named Gavin and Jason. The format mixes humor (bad church signs, funny Christian memes, and light conversation about college football and pop culture) with a serious walk through a passage of Scripture. Recent episodes have covered Isaiah 19, Isaiah 20, Ephesians 3, and Mark 5:21-43. One installment counted down the Top 7 Stories Left out of Children's Bibles. A special edition discussed AI-generated worship music, including songs Pastor Jason created with ChatGPT and Suno, weighing the pros and cons of creating music with AI and where the technology may be heading.
Community Life and Annual Events
Beyond Sunday and Wednesday, RMLBC keeps a steady calendar of fellowship. The annual Fall Festival in October is one of the largest community outreach events, drawing hundreds of guests from across the area. Summer evenings have included church-wide BBQ nights with ice cream bars and ping pong tournaments. The Thursday Prayer Team meets weekly to bring specific needs before the Lord in detail. Men's ministry plans fellowship events for the whole church along with its weekly Bible study in 1 Peter, and senior adults enjoy rich fellowship in Christ.
The church also celebrates patriotic occasions, including a Fourth of July BBQ lunch that doubles as a fundraiser for the upcoming Peru trip. Pastor Jason describes the spirit of these events: "We know that our corporate worship is our primary goal. We also know that we have a global and local gospel mission to accomplish, and this is our calling. But we also know that genuine fellowship and friendship are critical to our well-being as God's people."
Visiting, Giving, and Getting Connected
For anyone thinking about visiting, the simplest entry point is Sunday morning at 10:30. Come early at 9:30 to enjoy a Sunday School class. The address is 6495 Rock Mountain Lake Road, McCalla, Alabama 35111. Anyone who cannot make it in person can join the livestream on Facebook. The congregation is small enough that most everyone knows most everyone else, and visitors can expect a family atmosphere with no pressure.
Giving is offered in three ways: in person during the morning worship offering, online through PayPal, or by mailing a check to the church's mailing address. The church cites 2 Corinthians 9:7 as the spirit of its stewardship: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
To get involved, visitors are invited to talk with Pastor Jason, who helps newcomers find a place to serve. Membership begins with a conversation with the pastor, who walks candidates through the process, which "in most cases is not difficult at all." The Connect Card allows visitors to indicate interest in becoming a Christian, growing in faith, joining a Sunday School class, joining the youth group, speaking with the pastor, learning about baptism, or becoming a member.
Whether someone is exploring faith for the first time, looking for a church home, or simply curious about a small congregation that takes the Bible, the family, and global missions seriously, Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church welcomes them in McCalla.