Pastor’s Page

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 – MARCH 2024

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”    (Isaiah 61:1 & Luke 418-19)

These are the words Jesus speaks to the people He grew up with. They were not impressed. In fact, what they wanted to do was throw Him off a cliff! Partly because as Jesus said, a prophet is never excepted in his hometown. And partly because when people find themselves imprisoned in darkness it’s difficult to dare to hope for release. A brokenhearted person doesn’t easily open themselves up again. And those who are held captive by addictions and habitual behaviors don’t quickly give up their ways. But the promise is for us none the less.

Lent is not only our opportunity to remember that Jesus has done everything necessary for us to have a right relationship with Father. It is our opportunity to accept freedom, to accept the restoration of our hearts, and release from whatever it is that keeps us bound.

The past month has been filled with blessings and challenges. One great blessing has been the opportunity to join a “Prayer Cell”. If you haven’t done so already I highly recommend it! Another blessing and challenge has been helping on the construction of our new partition in Hasler Hall. And, I have also been blessed to connect with friends of our church through home visits, phone calls, texts, and emails.  

Along with these the following is a list of my activities.

Led Worship services, Session Meeting.   Made phone calls. Served on community service boards.

Humbly Submitted,
Pastor Rick Hastings 
3/14/24