FOUNDER, CHURCH ON THE ROCK (JAMAICA)
David G. Keane, Born to Jocelyn and Maisy Keane was the fifth of nine children. He grew up in a Christian home and was taught about the things of the Lord from a tender age. David Keane attended Calabar High school and after graduating, attended the Jamaica School of music where he studied Opera and Vocal performance. It was whilst he was there that he met his Wife, Denver Keane (now deceased) and they got married in 1969. The union produced four girls, Julie-Ann, Kecia-Gaye, Leiza-Mae and Jordanne.
David and Denver, both being called to music, started a music Group, called the “Teen Time Quartet”, which soon after became the “Teen Time Singers” which took them travelling; singing and sharing the word all over Jamaica in schools and churches as their goal was to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many were saved under their ministry as the youth were being transformed; many of whom have gone into full time Ministry as a result of the seeds being sown in their earlier years. After several years of ministering as the “Teen Time Singers”, the name was once again changed to “David Keane and the Sonshine Singers” and he established his Ministry “Sonshine Ministries” under which all ministry opportunities were conducted. He was relentless in his intentions to spread the word as His love was for the lost, the poor, the bound and the broken. His Singing ministry expanded and now took him to the United States of America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean where thousands were saved under his ministry. David Keane’s dedication to the call of music and work in the Kingdom was broadened even more as in 1983, the Lord called him to be a pastor.
In October of 1984, he established Church on the Rock Jamaica and though consistent opposition came, he followed through as God had called him to shepherd His people. The ministry was born out of humble beginnings; having services in an abandoned building that was once used as a bar on Honey Hill. His passion drove him and his faith went before him. Called to the poor and having a love for the poor, the initial meetings consisted of the people from Cassava Piece, a neighboring depressed area. The Lord was in the midst and the word went out and God drew His people from all corners of Kingston to come and experience this new thing He had begun. There were many years of sacrifice, tears and toil but he had the support of many missionaries and Pastor-friends abroad along with a handful of friends and associates in Jamaica as he built the Kingdom of God on Honey Hill, where Church on the rock was established.
Apostle David Keane founded a work of God which he never dreamed would have grown and affected the lives of so many in Jamaica and abroad, but Isaiah 61 was in the forefront of his heart as this was the vision God established for this work. His unmovable faith and the vision God gave him produced a Medical ministry, a school, a children’s home, many outreach programs, Jamaica’s biggest annual gospel festival series “ALLELUIA” for 18 years and other ‘Churches on the Rock’ were born. It started with faith as a mustard seed and grew into a vast work that God purposed.
Church on the Rock became the church of musical excellence and worship experiences and produced some of the most talented musicians. Being a singer/ musician himself and His wife Denver, an accomplished pianist, this was inevitable and soon thereafter this musical standard and worship experience was sought after. In the earlier years, Apostle David Keane was the trail blazer of Reggae in the church which was not embraced initially but out of this introduction, many reggae groups were formed through the years and Gospel DJ’s now dominate the local and international stage; spreading the gospel through this medium. The dance ministry was also born out of this work and Church on the Rock pioneered “dance” in the church locally which soon was established within other churches.
It took a great level of unwavering faith and determination to accomplish this all. People were his focus as he had an undying love for them, especially the poor. Apostle David Keane would go into the highways and byways and witness to the poor in vulnerable areas as God had said he would give Him West Kingston. So he went into the areas and gave his love as He sat with the people many days; played with the guys on the street side, reasoned with them and simply made the love of Jesus shine through Him. As a true shepherd, He would transport them from these areas to church on a Sunday and on other days would go to where they are and sit and reason. He fed them, protected them, gave them hope and showed them love.
Apostle David Keane also had a Television series called ‘Catch the fire’ that was aired weekly where he would reach a wider cross-section of Jamaica; affecting them for Christ. In 2000, Apostle David Keane was ordained an Apostle.
After the death of his wife, Denver Keane, Apostle David Keane married Paulette Keane in 2001 and they have been married for over 12 years.
In December 2002, whilst preaching to about 2,000 attendants at Church on the Rock on New Year’s Eve night, Apostle David Keane collapsed as he had a potentially fatal hemorrhaging stroke on the platform as He spoke. The man of God never stopped preaching and as he collapsed He declared “SATAN YOU LOSE AGAIN!”. He had an altar call whilst on the ground and told the congregation, “Come, come, come to Jesus now as He will never fail you like how He is not failing me now”. He spent Three (3) months in the Intensive care unit and came out defying the expectations of medical personnel. He spent Three (3) more months in the hospital and has been home ever since. The presence of God so evident in his room; Apostle David Keane remains an inspiration to many as we await the intentions of God for his life; The Founder of Church on the Rock, the visionary, the man with great faith, the one who defies neurological expectations presently, a miracle in the waiting lays in his bed with his faith carrying him daily; the same faith he had as he declared on that ill-fated night, “satan you lose again”.
On December 7, 2014, The Lord saw it best and took Apostle David Keane home unto Himself. We are confident that His faith remained steadfast but yielded to the will of God. He fought the good fight, finished the course, He kept the faith and now He is with Jesus.
Rest in peace Apostle David Keane