A Short Bio About Pastor Rick
A native of Belpre, Ohio Pastor Rick Hastings began his ministry at Pioneer Church in December 2010. Pastor Rick has moved 27 times and lived in 10 different states after leaving the area at age ten. His father was a construction project manager building banks all over the USA. In 1972 Rick was part of the historic desegregation movement in Florence, South Carolina attending a previously all black school. Rick’s many life experiences have shown him that people are people. Some are positive and bearers of light, some are negative and bearers of darkness regardless of race, economy, or gender.
Rick continued in his dad’s footsteps working in the building trades industry in many capacities until answering the call of his Heavenly Father to Christian Ministry in 2003. Pastor Rick graduated from Vision International Seminary, Romona, Ca. Receiving his ordination from the Association of Fundamental Ministers and Churches. Pastor Rick has trained in several spiritual disciplines and counseling at Ashland Seminary, Ashland, Ohio.
A Video Message from Pastor Rick
PASTOR’S MESSAGE – NOVEMBER 2024
“Jesus said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”” (Luke 19:46-NLT)
“My temple will be a house of prayer” I’m not sure how many times I’ve read this passage? But this time Holy Spirit has brought it to my attention in a new way! What if our church was a house of prayer? What if our focus in 2025 was to make our sanctuary a house of prayer for our community? What if our Sunday morning worship services focused more on prayer? Could this be how God is planning to grow our church?
When Jesus said these words, the Scriptures He is referring to is Isaiah 56:6-7—I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. 7 I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.What if foreigners for us are people in our community who aren’t part of our church family? What if word got out that someone in the community came to our sanctuary for prayer, was blessed, and then went out and told others about it? Whether we grow or not, we will know that we are honoring God by keeping HIS house a house of prayer.
What a month it has been! As always, it has had it’s ups and it’s downs. We began with the Apple Butter and Faith in Blue event at Civitan Park. Then there was the Funeral services for Catherine Boggs and Elizabeth Denes. We also Volunteered at BAM.
This past month I was able to complete Enrollment Benefits for the Board of Pensions for 2025. Everything should be in place for me to transition onto Medicare next month.
In addition I met with board members of BAM. I Volunteered on the Harvest of Hope truck. And I continued working on a Spiritual Life Coach Certification.
I was also blessed to visit folks at home and in care facilities.
Along with these the following is a list of my activities.
Led Worship services, Session Meeting, and Funerals. Made home and hospital visits. Volunteered for community service programs. And gave counseling.
Humbly Submitted,
Pastor Rick Hastings
11/14/24