Archbishop Robert Joel Rochford Sr. is a native of Brooklyn, New York. Handpicked by God from amongst a family of great ministry gifts, he accepted Jesus Christ at the age of 14 and began preaching the Gospel at just 15 years old. As a visionary, pastor, preacher, musician and author, Archbishop Rochford has dedicated more than half of his life to fulfilling God’s will and is a living testimony of the power of God at work in the life of His beloved.

In the early years of his ministry Archbishop Rochford was groomed by his eldest brother, the late Apostle Norman Rochford and he traveled extensively ministering at crusades with his brother Dr. Milton Rochford and sister Dr. Lavonne Burno. His passion for preaching and his love for the word of God continued to grow, as did his reputation as a man of God. In 1979, Bishop Rochford answered God’s call to leadership and established New Life Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. He has served faithfully as the senior pastor for over 35 years and the ministry continues to flourish. Archbishop Rochford is presently commissioning local pastors to establish satellite churches in the metropolitan area. The first of four new ministries was birthed in Queens, New York in 2007. The second ministry was birthed in Brooklyn in 2010.

As a leader who understands the power of submission, in 1990 Archbishop Rochford joined the Pilgrim Assemblies International, Inc. under the leadership of Archbishop Roy E. Brown. In 1994, he was consecrated and elevated to the episcopacy. In 2012, after 22 years of service in the Assemblies including 17 years as the First Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, the Lord released Archbishop Rochford to establish the Dunamis Covenant Connection, an organization through which he provides Apostolic oversight to pastors and churches. He was installed as the Chief Prelate of Dunamis in 2013. On July 8, 2016, he was officially elevated to the archbishopric.