Pastor Rick's World
Tell us your Name, Church, How Long you have been a pastor?
Hello,
my name is Rick Starr. Everybody calls me Pastor Rick and I must say I
prefer it for two reasons. Not because I need to be puffed up with a
"title." But because every time I hear the word Pastor, I am
humbled and reminded as to my calling. Plus it helps to teach people to
respect those in ministry, and that is a good witness for the kingdom of
God. I have been ministering since I was 14, been recognized as a Pastor,
Evangelist and ordained by God since 1980 (28 years.) However it has only
been the last 4 years that I decided to accept the ordination (piece of
paper) by man. The only difference between Gods call and ordination by
man, is that it proves to man you have studied to show yourself approved.
Hence, it opens a few more doors, everything else remains the same.
Do
you have a family and tell us a little about them?
One of the reasons that God has allowed the ministry we have is because I
can relate first hand to the struggles within the family unit. Whether it
be physical abuse that I personally received, the divorce of my parents,
or brothers being raised without a father being present, through extended
family I have witnessed and been exposed to things I would wish on nobody.
Alcoholism, psychiatric break downs, homosexuality and lesbianism,
illegal gambling, using a small local church as a front to run illegal
Bingo, family members in prison, racism, pedophiles, drug addictions and
oh so much more. I guess you could say my immediate and extended family
qualify as dysfunctional, but God is still God and He never took His hand
off me, and I "chose" to listen.
On a more positive note, 4 years ago I married a lovely woman who has a
heart for God and is willing to make the sacrifices needed for us to have
this ministry. We are a team.
When
did you know it was your calling to be a Pastor?
I suppose I was about 20 when I started to have the itch and began to
entertain the idea. Again, I was already filling the pulpit for Pastors
all across the country. Add to that my ministering through worship leading
in music, it just came as a natural progression.
Tell
us a little about your Church, your Mission your beliefs.
Although our ministry is unique in our area, what we do is not a new
concept. We are inner city and our building used to be a car lot. It was
donated to us about 3 years ago by a Christian business man who had
observed our ministry for a few years. The church we attended before, was
and still is failing under its current leadership. My wife had been there
for more than 20 years, myself about 3. We stepped out in faith and after
months of praying about a name, we started the Reach Out Center for Youth
and Family at our current location.
There are 7 churches within 1/2 mile of the Reach Out Center for Youth and
Family. Yet sadly, none are reaching out to the community. We deal with
real life issues, and meet the people in our community right where they
are, not where we think they should be. We work real hard at establishing
a friendly report with the kids, youth and adults in our community. From
feeding as many as 150 kids, ministering to the prostitutes and homeless
Sunday mornings on the streets, (while most people are sitting in their
cozy pew at church), and taking young people off the streets
to activities outside of the inner city "hood" we see it
all.
The greatest gift from Father God is love. So first we show love to the
people we meet. This, with a little time, gains trust and builds a
relationship. As the relationship develops they ask why we do what we do,
and why we believe what we believe. That provides the opportunity to share
about God the Father, Salvation through Jesus Christ His Son, and the
power and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Our mission in part, is "Bringing Unity In The Community One Friend
At A Time." Meaning unity in the community at large with all it's
different cultures, and unity in the efforts of the local church body
as well. When we break down the word community in two parts it
reads Comm-unity. For us that meant "Come In Unity". That is our
prayer, and now our slogan.
Tell us a little about yourself and your testimony.
Hmm,
where to begin. Years of physical abuse include being beat in my sleep,
legs bleeding from the piece of construction lumber I was often hit with,
fists in my face, being spat on and toes being smashed by my mothers shoes
in a sick attempt to make me lift up my feet and dance (long story for
another time), enabled God to mold me into
the person I am today.
I
remember when I first heard the voice of God. I was 14 years old, laying
face down on the floor crying in pain. God spoke to me so loud and clear
that His words have carried me to this very day. As I lay there on the
floor I made a promise to myself that I would never allow my parents to
see me cry again. I would never again give them the satisfaction of seeing
the "rewards" of their behavior, my personal pain. It was then I
heard Gods voice saying "What your parents are doing to you is wrong.
You are not supposed to respect their behavior, but you are still to honor
and obey them. And, when your father is not being a father to you, I,...
will be your Dad."
If
you believe in God, when He speaks, you listen, and you know He doesn't
lie. The words He spoke to me almost 35 years ago are always in the
forefront of my mind. Whether it be scripture or His audible voice. His
word, Gods word, does not return void. As for me, I didn't cry again for
11 years. Yes there were many times I wanted to, but the comfort that
sometimes comes with tears just wouldn't manifest. Instead, every single
time, I found the comfort I needed by opening the Bible and reading Gods
word.
It
was an Easter Sunday when I re-dedicated my life to Christ. I was 18 and
prayed that He would make me a disciple. There were many disciples in Jesus'
day but 12 that He drew near to Him. I told God I would go where He wanted
me to go and do what He wanted me to do, no questions asked. If needed, I
would be the one to do what others were afraid to.
As
a result I have been privileged to travel and minister in 43 states around
the USA. I have witnessed supernatural manifestations from God several
times. I have been spared from certain death at least 6 times that I know
of. I have been blest by seeing people healed while leading in worship
through song and a countless number of people who have been saved. I have
been given a Holy Ghost Boldness to speak what many are thinking but are
afraid to say, go where many would not, and to witness to those who many
might avoid.
Much
of my ministry has been on the street. Hookers, Drug users, Porn addicts,
Alcoholics, Bi sexual, Lesbians, Homosexuals, Homeless, Mentally ill,
Abused, Beaten, Battered wives, Satanists and the Down trodden have opened
their hearts in trust, as I have opened my arms in love. A love that can
only come through God.
Give
a brief description of the Pastors heart coming from your own?
As
Pastors we need to strive to have the heart of God. We need to have the
compassion of Jesus for others. And we need to walk in the power of the
Holy Spirit. Pastors are not to be put on pedestals. I am a man, a simple
man who feels honored to be used by God to help make a difference in
peoples lives through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. To whom much
is given, much is required. I humbly ask those who read this to lift our
ministry up in prayer.
What
is your favorite scripture and why does it speak to you?
Sorry,
but there are too many to single out just one. I mean, we are talking
about the word of God here. I'll share the 4 that have become an important
part of our ministry.
Matt
25:35-45
The short version,... Jesus said I was hungry and thirsty, I was a
stranger and naked, I was sick and in prison. He then said, you fed me and
gave me something to drink. You invited me in and gave me clothing. You
helped me when I was sick and visited me in prison. By meeting the needs
of others, Jesus said it is the same as doing it unto Him. Likewise, not
helping others in this capacity is to deny Jesus as well. This chapter is
commonly referred to as The Sheep and the Goats.
Heb.11:1
"Faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Simply, walk by
faith in obedience to God and watch Him prove Himself. God loves to bless.
1st.
Cor. 13:13
Live in Faith, Hope and Charity. But the greatest of these is Charity
(love).
You
can lead a person to Christ without ever sharing a single scripture verse!
If you can love as Christ loved, people will want what you have. Love them
and then lead them into the things of Christ.
Matt.
10:8
,...freely you have received, freely give. By the power of the Holy
Spirit, and at His direction and timing, we can be the tool God uses to
heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. I
have witnessed fraudulent healings and received and witnessed the real
deal. Satan is a liar, but God is life. These abilities didn't die off in
the Old Testament. Jesus is the same Yesterday Today and Tomorrow,...
Period!
What would you like to tell others that have a calling to become a Pastor?
I
have a saying that has worked very well for me. I call it the 3 B's.
"Be real, Be balanced, and Be blest.
Be
real.
Be the person God created you to be. Do not try to conform to who you
think your congregation or peers desire you to be. Do not think more
highly of yourself then you should. You are nothing without Christ. Meet
people where they are, not where YOU think they should be.
Be
balanced.
Simply put, don't be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.
Extreme is good but only when it is ordained by God. I have people write
me all the time saying they can't talk to their own Pastor because He just
doesn't relate. How sad.
Be
blest.
I speak from experience that if you do the first two things, you can't
help but be blest! It is just that simple!
In
your own words tell others how they can draw nearer to Christ.
This
is a critical issue. So many people approach God, Christ, and the Holy
Spirit as a religion. That couldn't be anymore wrong! The three in one,
the Trinity (if you believe in the trinity) isn't a religion. It is a
relationship. Putting it in real time, think of your closest friend or
your spouse. It has taken some months and years to get to a point in your
life that you trust this person with your life and inner most fears,
secrets, pain and joy. These people are not your religion, they are your
relationship.
The
same with Christ. He wants you to not only share the same things with Him,
He also wants to share all that He is, and all that He has, with YOU. But
it takes time, He makes things beautiful in His time, because he knows
what is best for you. He wants to have and share a close personal
relationship with you. He loves you and wants you to love and trust Him.
Forget the word Religion and focus on the Relationship. I don't write this
just to take up space, I experience it daily and there isn't anything
better than a "relationship" with Christ.
How
do you start this relationship? By getting to know Him. How do you get to
know him. Three ways.
1)
Study His life story by reading the Bible. I suggest starting in the New
Testament with Matthew and "balance" it out with some of
Proverbs.
2)
Pray. It isn't about how poetic you are with words. That doesn't impress
Him. Let me say it again. Fancy words DO NOT IMPRESS God! Just talk to him
like you are talking to a friend, plain and simple. I call it
conversational prayer. He wants to hear the voice of your heart. Out loud
or quiet doesn't matter at this point. If you will just talk to Him, He
will walk with you. He will take your hand and see you through!
3)
When you are ready and better understand what Jesus is all about, what He
has to offer and why He died for you, then accept Him as YOUR Lord and
personal Savior. Again, it is all about a "relationship," a
personal relationship, "your" personal relationship with God.
What
would you like to tell our readers?
People
from "all over the world" write and call me for advice and
prayer. I can tell you I don't have all the answers, but, I know who does.
Again, I refer to our Heavenly Father. As your relationship grows, as you
learn to "listen" to His voice, He will show, teach and reveal
more and more to you. So, if there is something you need or want to
discuss, write or call me. I am sure between the three of us we can work
something out! I am here for you and there isn't anything that I haven't
heard.
You
may want to subscribe to our articles in the Blog section of our Myspace
home page. Or email me and let me know you want to be on our email mailing
list. We are all growing in Christ, let's grow together through life's
challenges and Gods promises!
Gods
love and mine too!
Pastor
Rick
(330)
798-1310
USA
Reach
Out Center for Youth and Family
1310
Newton Street