Rockwood had the courage of his convictions

The term ‘shrinking violet’ was likely never used to describe Perry F. Rockwood.

The long-time Pastor of the Missionary Bible Church in Halifax and radio voice of the People’s Gospel Hour, who passed away last week in Halifax just short of his 91st birthday, was never one to shy away from professing his faith in the Lord.

While people might not have agreed with everything he said or how he said it, or professed belief in all of the same things he believed in, you had to give the man credit for having the courage of his convictions and for not being afraid to speak his mind.

A New Glasgow native, Rockwood graduated from Acadia University in 1940 and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1943.

After breaking with that denomination a few years later in a dispute over doctrine, he began a weekly radio ministry, the People’s Gospel Hour, which first aired in late 1947 and was still a Sunday morning fixture on local radio at the time of his death.

His radio programs and fundamentalist, scripture-based messages were heard by millions of people throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Africa, Asia and Europe.

And while you might not have known him personally, recognized the face or even the name, chances are, sometime in your life, you have heard and would recognize his voice and his trademark sign-off, ‘May God bless you, and make you a blessing’.

Rockwood wasn’t always popular with ‘mainstream’ religion during his long and prolific career, just as those individuals who feel moved to speak out against the real or perceived evils and injustices of society aren’t always popular.

At the same time, though, as a society, we need people who aren’t afraid to state their beliefs; to act as watchdogs for injustice, ineptitude or corruption, and to keep us honest. Arguably the most impressive thing about Rockwood was the sheer length of his working career, that he was able to maintain his live radio ministry for more than 60 years.

At or past an age when most people are long retired, he remained active, consistent and, at least so far as his followers were concerned, relevant. For that alone, in terms of native Nova Scotians, he deserves to be remembered among the iconic.

Like him or not, agree with him or not, he was hard to ignore, especially in an increasingly apathetic age when so many, including a lot of politicians, are afraid or reluctant to speak their minds or to follow a course that might not be universally popular.