One Prayer Interview - Dino Rizzo
Dino pastors Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He’s also a member of our Board of Directors. His servant leadership is like no other. His thoughts…
1. What is the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned over the past year?
Early in 2009 I really began dealing with unavoidable changes that come with preparing to move into a new facility in regards to staffing, budgeting, leadership development and so many other church decisions that all lead pastors deal with. There is a lesson I am still learning that came from an incredible teaching by Paul Scanlon - it is that our challenge is really the transition from the old way of doing things to the actual new way. How will people respond along the journey? Can our staff go to another level? Are our volunteers ready? Am I ready to lead at another level? Like I said, I am still learning this leadership lesson.
2. What is God showing you personally?
God is showing me how important it is to be a steward of my heart, my family and the assignment or mission He has given me personally and HPC as a church. I want to be faithful and true to each of those areas of my life. God is showing me how to avoid distractions that will cause mission drift in my life and in the vision/purpose of our church, which is to help the poor and hurting all around us and to champion the cause of the local church.
3. What is the top ministry challenge you’re currently facing?
The top ministry challenge I am currently facing is how to continue to help lead the fight to help the poor in a world full of economic challenges. Another challenge is continuing to place heavy emphasis on the next generation. In all these areas I am trying to discover and walk in that Spirit-led place between having margin and wisdom, but continuing to take faith risks into uncharted territory.
4. What do you do for fun?
I consider myself a simple man…I love spending a great day with my wife and family, going shopping, hanging with several of our staff guys, good lunches (really, I enjoy eating in general). I have also had a blast being a much-sought-after football/basketball/baseball coach for my son’s sports teams…watch out Pete Carrol, watch out Coach K!!
5. What books are you reading?
In the Name of Jesus by Henry Nouwen, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Beyond Basketball by Coach K, the book of Romans for my personal, non-preaching Bible study time with Christ…and Servolution…HAHA!!
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Great thoughts & interview. I am really enjoying info & idea sharing of churches around the world (Servolution & One Prayer, etc.). Very encouraging for all. Good time to serve in The Body of Christ. To God be the Glory.
:: engaging post ::
It’s great wisdom to see what you are able to see and communicate accurately to your culture and sphere if influence. Life never is boring unless you decide to quit changing, cool to see a wiser man adopt change to foster new relationships
:: challenged ::
IHC: thanks for the comment - I like that quote, “life is never boring unless you decide to quit changing.”
Great interview! Cool to take a look into the heart of a Pastor. That lesson you mentioned by Paul Scanlon is ringing true in my ears. It’s easy to detach from something that is decaying but hard to detach from something that has been successful so far. Sometimes we have to let go of the Good to take hold of the Great.
Pastor Dino:
I’ve only heard of your church and they have all been great things :-) Also clear to hear you saying your constantly growing and learning, spending time with God and pushing yourself to reach your God given potential. Inspiring to hear from a person God has placed in Leadership.
Great interview! Pastor has the heart of Christ and you can sense it through his words. He is an inspiration to everyone he comes into contact with. I am so blessed to be able to say I am on staff at HPC and to be under his leadership. We love you Pastor Dino!
It’s exciting to witness what God is doing through HPC and the ministry to the poor and hurting. Pastor Dino has helped to change old mind sets concerning the focus of the local Church.
Mike & Lynn McCain
It’s more than inspiring learning from Pastor Dino but an actual visual of God’s love as a man submits and loves his Savior always shakes things up. Pastor Dino has emulated this in multiple walks and I believe HPC (and ultimately the Kingdom) is partially where it’s at because of an honest pursuit for Christ. Thanks Pastor. I’m locked in and praying.
Good to hear the vision of HPC again. Love the interview.
I always love how honest, true, and candid Pastor Dino his. His heart and vision inspire me; I’m loving every word of Servolution. I can’t wait to see what is next and were God takes the Church at large with great men of God leading the way like Pastor Dino!
I always love how honest, true, and candid Pastor Dino is. His heart and vision inspire me; I’m loving every word of Servolution. I can’t wait to see what is next and were God takes the Church at large with great men of God leading the way like Pastor Dino!
Great comments for me to read since our church is about to move to a new home within the next year.
Your leadership is a big reason God is using me to do incredible things.
Pastor Dino I am very grateful for your ministry and for your heart to reach the next generation and to help the poor. Your ministry impacted my life since I was a teenager every time you sent a team to work down in Peru. I got the opportunity to see personally how your church really cares for people all over the world and how much they love my country. I am so happy to see how Servolution is already impacting the Youth in Camino de Vida. They have integrated Servolution to their ministry DNA. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing your heart with the rest of the world!
The secret of Dino’s legendary coaching skills is out. After the LSU victory last night, I heard that Coach Mainieri is seeking advice from Dino on how to keep the LSU Dynasty strong!!
Awesome job on your interview.Thank you for making us part of the vision
Love the interview! Great to hear from the heart of our Pastor. It’s refreshing to serve a God-given clear vision! Love and serve those around you, and love God. That’s the 2 things Jesus said was MOST important. Thank you for the opportunity to serve under amazing leadership! Looking forward to the future with much excitement! :)