Generations This is an extraordinary story about spiritual leadership. This story is a “spiritual genealogy,” a generational gift of mentoring. We will see the impact of one person investing in another. Rick Pilieci, Campus Pastor at Grace, shares with us those who were instrumental in his salvation, his education, and his ministry. This is his story.
L
ET’S GO BACK TO
1997. He was immediately “plugged in”
Pastor Gary Spykerman began his
JANUARY 1997 - Rick
to the ministry at Eastport and worked
time at Eastport. Charley continued to
was in his late twenties,
in the youth ministry with Charley
mentor Rick in youth ministry and
lived in New York, and
Young. Charley became Rick’s mentor.
family ministry.
worked for Entemann’s Bakery as
Rick says, “Charley walked with me,
a delivery driver. He was invited to
prayed with me; everything I did was
In 2000, President Bruce Kemper and
Eastport Bible Church (as he states, a
laser focused.” Charley and Rick would
his wife, Judi, visited Eastport Bible
“Bible-believing” Church) where his wife,
even spend their day off together
Church. President Kemper spoke for the
Kim, was attending.
(usually doing ministry and attending
church service, and Rick and Kim were
an early morning prayer meeting)! Rick
invited to join Bruce, Judi, and Pastor
The pastor, Rob Renberg, met with Rick
became involved in midweek home
Gary’s family for lunch that day. Rick
after he first visited church, and asked
Bible studies, men’s ministries, and
believes that the Holy Spirit spoke to
him the question: “If you were to die
retreats. Basically, he was involved in all
him through Bruce:
today, would you go to heaven? If so,
activities at the church. Rick even took
why?” Rick gave the usual response: “I
a vacation week to help during Vacation
would go to heaven because I’m good
Bible School! He was given the title of
enough.” Rob was wise enough to let his
“Junior High Youth Coordinator” by
question(s) simmer a bit, and Rick and
Charley. That group began with just
Kim continued to attend the
four students but grew to over 40
church. By springtime, the Piliecis were
students during Rick’s tenure. Kim
going to Eastport every week. Rick
also became involved with the youth
listened intently to Rob’s messages,
ministry. As an elementary school
and often felt like Rob was preaching
teacher, she saw some of the children
Rick was very encouraged and met a
directly to him (on occasion, Rick even
she had taught become involved in the
second time with Bruce and Judi to talk
asked Kim if she had talked to Rob
youth group as well.
about what attending Grace could look
about certain issues or problems he was
“I hear you are interested in ministry. Will you consider attending Grace Bible College?”
like as an older student with a family.
dealing with – the sermons were hitting
God had placed Rick and Kim in a
In August 2001, Rick and Kim moved
so close to home!).
healthy, growing church, and Rick
to Wyoming, Michigan, and Rick began
loved the students and wanted to be a
classes at Grace.
About nine months after his initial
spiritual leader for the teenagers.
meeting with Rob, Rick came to know
Over the years, Pastor Rob Renberg
Rick and Kim moved in to 959 Aldon
Christ as his Savior on September 7,
was called to another church and
– on the campus of Grace – with two
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