Who We Are
Our Calling
The Royal Order of Christian Knights serves the Kingdom of God by serving and protecting the domains of family, church, and community. We are forging a brotherhood of military veterans, first responders, and civilian defenders committed to following King Jesus.
Christian Knights are force multipliers – discipling men and boys into godly masculinity, strengthening church safety and missionary security, and earning the right to share the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ with people facing crisis and disaster.
We are part of a long legacy of Warrior Poets in service to God’s Kingdom.
We are Knights of the ROCK.
Our Charter Missions
The Charter of the ROCK was originally signed in 2021 by the Board of Elders. It reads:
- To bring glory to our Lord and King, Jesus
- To advance the gospel of salvation through Christ
- To foster a culture of fellowship
- To serve the domains of family, church, and community
- To raise up guardians of the church
- And to affirm the traditions of chivalry
Our Vision
Our vision is to build a network of capable, godly Christian men across the United States who with one voice say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!”
We see an Army of 300,000 Men of God who:
- Provide faithfully for their families every day
- Protect their churches every Sunday
- Respond to desperate needs in their communities when disaster strikes.
Imagine a Core group of Knights and Fellows in every Bible-believing church in America—brothers in Christ standing shoulder to shoulder, bound by faith, justice, love, service, and courage. Together, we will be the guardians of the church, the servants of families, and the hands and feet of Jesus in times of crisis.
Why Knighthood?
“It is the duty of a knight to set his soul in order before he puts his armor on.” – Ramon Lull, “The Book of the Order of Chivalry,” c. 1275
Warriors depend on legacy. Every generation of fighting men looks back to those who came before them for inspiration, discipline, and purpose. In our modern secular culture, the warrior’s imagination is often shaped by the Spartans of Greece, the Legions of Rome, the Vikings of the North, or the Samurai of Japan. Fierce and formidable, these warriors are worthy of study and respect. Yet they were also bound to pagan gods and philosophies—cultures that did not love the Lord or submit to Christ as King.
Only two warrior traditions in history have worshiped the One True God: the Mighty Men of Israel, who followed King David, and the European Knights, who carried the banner of Jesus Christ. Of these, it was the Knight who lived and fought in the light of the full Gospel, dedicating his service not to earthly idols but to the risen King of Kings.
The word “knight” comes from the Old English word cniht which meant “servant boy.” These young men were trained to be warriors in the households of their feudal lords, and they rose in status as they did their duties faithfully. Over time and with the influence of the Church, society came to demand that knights hold themselves accountable to God as their ultimate authority.
The Royal Order of Christian Knights—the ROCK—continues this legacy. We are not a reenactment society or a medieval club. We are a living Order of Chivalry, sworn to serve King Jesus in the modern world. We use the imagery of swords and shields as symbols of our heritage and the spiritual reality we live by—the armor of God described in Scripture.
Our mission is real and present. The ROCK is dedicated to protecting families, serving churches, and responding to the needs of our communities. We draw truth and strength from the legacy of knighthood, but our calling is to today’s battles: discipling men, guarding the church, and advancing the Gospel in a world desperate for truth and hope.
The Traditions of Chivalry
The Code of Chivalry is the fruit of the Spirit articulated for the warrior class—a vision of what it means to follow Christ while carrying the responsibilities of strength and service. Each principle reflects how the Spirit shapes a man of God to live with honor in every arena of life:
- Faith in spite of Doubt – Spirit-led trust that anchors us in God’s promises.
- Justice in spite of Law – Spirit-led goodness that seeks righteousness beyond rules.
- Love in spite of War – Spirit-led compassion that endures even in conflict.
- Service in spite of Rank – Spirit-led humility that puts others first.
- Courage in spite of Fear – Spirit-led strength that stands firm when tested.
For the modern-day Christian Knight, these are not just lofty ideals—they are the daily outworking of the Spirit’s presence, shaping men into protectors, servants, and brothers who live by the Spirit and fight for what is eternal.
The Path to Knighthood is a journey of discipleship, training, and lifelong commitment. It begins with men entering as Novice Fellows, completing some basic training, and joining or starting a Core where they grow in brotherhood, discipline, and service.
As they progress through their training, men earn the rank of Fellow, Corporal and then Sergeant, taking on greater responsibility and leadership within their local Core and demonstrating the skill necessary for more challenging deployments. Eventually, men who demonstrate consistent godly maturity, proven character and skill, and a life that reflects the Code of Chivalry may be invited to become a full Knight of the ROCK.
The Brotherhood of the Order has two dimensions that shape how we live and serve together:
- Fellowship – Men walk side by side in Core groups and larger gatherings, building deep friendships, sharing life, and strengthening one another in faith. This bond of trust and accountability makes the Order a true brotherhood, not just an organization.
- Leadership – The ROCK is organized into Cores (local church), Posts (town or city-level), Commanderies (county-level), and Assemblies (state-level) with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, creating a chain of mentorship and authority. Leaders guide, train, and disciple those under their care, while each man learns to follow faithfully and prepare for greater responsibility.
Together, fellowship and leadership form a brotherhood that is both relational, accountable, and missional—a family bound in Christ and an army prepared to serve.
Every man on the Path to Knighthood must prove himself through the Trials of Knighthood—assessments of maturity in Mind, Body, and Spirit. These trials test not only knowledge and skill but also character, faith, and discipline. A Knight is called to embody the biblical standard of a deacon (literally, “servant”), for to be a Knight is also to be a servant—of Christ the King, his family, church, and community.
When a Knight believes a man is ready, he may nominate him to go before the Knighthood Review Board (KRB). This council of experienced Knights carefully examines the candidate’s life, testimony, and service. Their task is to discern whether he has embraced the Code of Chivalry, demonstrated Christian maturity, and proven himself faithful in fellowship and leadership.
Only when the Board is satisfied that a man is truly prepared for the honor and responsibility of knighthood will he be invited to take the Vows and receive the Accolade. In this way, knighthood is not simply earned—it is recognized by the brotherhood as the fruit of a man’s faithfulness to Christ.
Every Knight of the Order bears a Heraldic Achievement—a personal coat of arms that is more than a symbol; it is a testimony of calling, accountability, and legacy.
- Calling – The design reflects a man’s unique story and the way God has shaped his life for service. His heraldry becomes a visible declaration of the mission God has entrusted to him.
- Accountability – The shield and symbols remind both the Knight and his brothers of the vows he has taken and the standard he has pledged to uphold. It is a call to live with integrity, courage, and faith.
- Legacy – Heraldry connects each Knight to the long tradition of Christian chivalry, while also leaving a mark for those who will follow. It is a way of saying, “This is who I was, this is what I stood for, and this is the banner under which I served Christ.”
The Heraldic Achievement is not ornamental—it is a sacred emblem of identity that ties a man’s life to the mission of the Order and to the eternal Kingdom of God.
Before a man may take up the mantle of Knighthood, he must pass through the Knight’s Vigil—a time of prayer, worship, and deep reflection. Traditionally lasting twelve hours, the Vigil is where a man kneels before God to weigh the vows he is about to take.
In the stillness of the Vigil, he reflects on his calling:
- To live as a servant of Christ, His Church, and His people.
- To bear the weight of being a warrior in the army of God, not for his own glory but for the glory of the King.
- To embrace the Code of Chivalry and the Vows of Knighthood with a pure heart and steadfast resolve.
The Vigil is not a ceremony of endurance—it is a holy preparation for the Great Quest. In those quiet hours, a man confronts his doubts, confesses his sins, receives a word of mentorship from experienced knights and church leaders, and dedicates himself anew to the service of the Lord. When he rises from the Vigil, he does so ready to be invested with the honor, responsibility, and lifelong brotherhood of Knighthood.
Every Knight of the Order takes lifelong vows that define his service and identity. These vows are simple, but they demand everything:
- Obedience – Faithful submission to God and His Word, to the Code of Chivalry, and to the earthly authorities God has placed in our lives.
- Stewardship – Wise and sacrificial care of our time, talents, and treasure, offered back to God for His Kingdom and the good of others.
- Purity – A commitment to live in righteousness and virtue, guarding heart, mind, and body as holy unto the Lord.
Together, these vows mark a Knight as a man wholly devoted to Christ—obedient in action, faithful in responsibility, and pure in heart.
The Accolade of Knighthood is the sacred moment when a man is formally vested as a Knight of the ROCK. Much like an ordination or the laying on of hands, it is not just the granting of a title but the recognition of proven commitment—a public acknowledgment that this man has walked the path faithfully, embraced the Code of Chivalry, and demonstrated the maturity of a servant of Christ.
In the Accolade, a man kneels before God and his brothers to receive both honor and responsibility. It is a calling to continued service, not a reward for past deeds. From that day forward, he bears the mantle of a Knight: a warrior for the Kingdom, a guardian of the Church, and a servant to his family and community.
The Accolade reminds every Knight that Knighthood is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a lifelong mission – the Great Quest – to live and die in the service of the King.
For every Knight, the greatest adventure is not a single battle or mission, but the lifelong pursuit of obedience to King Jesus. This is the Great Quest—to follow Christ wherever He leads, yielding daily to the adjustments and assignments of the Holy Spirit.
The Great Quest calls a man to surrender his own ambitions and embrace God’s will, whether that means serving quietly in his local church, protecting the vulnerable, or stepping into unknown lands for the sake of the Gospel. It is a journey of faith, requiring courage, humility, and trust in the One True King.
Knighthood is not simply about wearing a title—it is about living the Quest. Every Knight commits to rise each day with the cry: “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
Our Leadership
Sir Anthony Shanander
Chief Executive Officer / Master Commander
Sir Anthony is the founder and Master Commander of the ROCK, and is the chairman of the Board of Elders. He lives with his wife and sons in Washington State. He is the Director of Barnabas Ministries for Impact Multiplied and serves as executive assistant to Dr. Timothy Moore. He pastors Wickersham Bible Church in Acme, WA and is the president of Farm and Family Missions in Bow, WA. Sir Anthony serves the State of Washington as an officer in the Army National Guard, and serves as a team leader for the Skagit County Ground Search and Rescue team.
Sir Elijah Reyes
Chief Finance Officer / Master Treasurer
Sir Elijah is a founding member of the Order and serves as the Master Treasurer. He lives with his wife and son in Washington State. He attends Cascade Christian Church in Sedro-Woolley, WA. He served in the US Marine Corps, and currently works in the construction industry. Sir Elijah serves on his community Search and Rescue team.
Sir Mark Jones
Chief Administrative Officer / Master Secretary
Sir Mark is a founding member of the Order and serves as the Master Secretary. He lives with his wife and son in Washington State. He attends Cascade Christian Church in Sedro-Woolley, WA. He served in the US Marine Corps, and has an extensive background in rifle, shotgun, pistol, and archery marksmanship. Sir Mark was Squire to Sir Anthony Shanander.
Sir Alfred Del Vecchio II
Chief Religious Affairs Officer / Master Chaplain
Sir Alfred is the Master Chaplain of the ROCK. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Washington State. He is the Director of Global Missions for Impact Multiplied. He serves as the treasurer of Farm and Family Missions and is the lead teaching pastor at the FFM outpost in Bow, WA, and is a contracted missionary of the SEND Network. Sir Al is also on the board of InFocus Ministries and the CTK Hope Church Missions Board in Burlington, WA. He serves the United States as a Naval Aviator, and has multiple combat deployments under his belt.