Memory can be tricky so I knew there'd be some timeline holes in this piece, and fellow Imagoan Matt Leamy was very kind to point one of them out to me in a private Facebook message. So I'll just share what he shared.
"Great reminiscence of Rick’s time in your life. I did notice a slight snag in your timeline that you may not have realized. The McKinleys didn’t leave Multnomah and move to LaGrande until around 1996. In late 1993 or early 1994 they left Mt. Tabor and Rick moved on staff at a church in Gresham called Riverside where my mom was secretary. I think Erin Giusto (née Loders) and a couple other kids’ families followed Rick & Jeanne over. We had a fun four years that included a missions trip with a church youth group from Sisters that was pastored by Eric Brown. I remember that summer of 1998 I moved to Savannah, Ga. and the McKinleys moved off to LaGrande. In the winter of 2000 I was back from school on holiday and heard the McKinleys we’re thinking of planting a church. So I called up Erin and we drove down to the basement of Hinson where we met the people that would become Imago over the following year. By the time I got back they were in the Warner Pacific days."
What a beautiful tribute to Rick whom I do not know except through my son David - and to all churches with their ups and downs and struggles to remain true and the "motley crews" who refuse to leave!
I worked with Rick in LaGrande and had a part in convincing our pastor to follow up on his application, which was a stretch for the pastor at that time. Another act of
God as Rick’s influence in LaGrande went far beyond First Baptist Church to essentially most youth ministries in town. He established “The Door”, a Saturday night worship service that drew a full house of kids and adults like me who saw an entire
new paradigm transformed our church and many others. God used Rick in LaGrande in ways that were life changing to hundreds, including me. His influence is still seen in many churches even today. Thanks for this tribute to him, God isn’t done with him yet. Love you Rick!
James, I thought I wrote you a comment back, but I don't see it! In any case, thank you so much for sharing this. I know the McKinleys had an impact everywhere they've been in ministry, especially in La Grande, and I love hearing stories like this to illustrate that fact.
UPDATE
Memory can be tricky so I knew there'd be some timeline holes in this piece, and fellow Imagoan Matt Leamy was very kind to point one of them out to me in a private Facebook message. So I'll just share what he shared.
"Great reminiscence of Rick’s time in your life. I did notice a slight snag in your timeline that you may not have realized. The McKinleys didn’t leave Multnomah and move to LaGrande until around 1996. In late 1993 or early 1994 they left Mt. Tabor and Rick moved on staff at a church in Gresham called Riverside where my mom was secretary. I think Erin Giusto (née Loders) and a couple other kids’ families followed Rick & Jeanne over. We had a fun four years that included a missions trip with a church youth group from Sisters that was pastored by Eric Brown. I remember that summer of 1998 I moved to Savannah, Ga. and the McKinleys moved off to LaGrande. In the winter of 2000 I was back from school on holiday and heard the McKinleys we’re thinking of planting a church. So I called up Erin and we drove down to the basement of Hinson where we met the people that would become Imago over the following year. By the time I got back they were in the Warner Pacific days."
I think my timeline got fuzzy too. I definitely moved to Georgia in 1998, but I think the McKinleys moved to LaGrande in 1996.
What a beautiful tribute to Rick whom I do not know except through my son David - and to all churches with their ups and downs and struggles to remain true and the "motley crews" who refuse to leave!
Who would we even be if we weren't motley crews? We follow a God who prefers 300 who will lap out of a river to 30,000 troops.
Such great memories.
Hard ones, too. But I love how you tell them.
Praying for Rick and his family in this new journey. 💚
Thank you, Mom! We had a great evening last night celebrating the McKinleys and it was awesome to see so many familiar faces.
I worked with Rick in LaGrande and had a part in convincing our pastor to follow up on his application, which was a stretch for the pastor at that time. Another act of
God as Rick’s influence in LaGrande went far beyond First Baptist Church to essentially most youth ministries in town. He established “The Door”, a Saturday night worship service that drew a full house of kids and adults like me who saw an entire
new paradigm transformed our church and many others. God used Rick in LaGrande in ways that were life changing to hundreds, including me. His influence is still seen in many churches even today. Thanks for this tribute to him, God isn’t done with him yet. Love you Rick!
James, I thought I wrote you a comment back, but I don't see it! In any case, thank you so much for sharing this. I know the McKinleys had an impact everywhere they've been in ministry, especially in La Grande, and I love hearing stories like this to illustrate that fact.
Wonderful tribute.
Thank you, Uncle Graig. We gotta give our pastors their due.✊🏼
What a beautiful reflection of the passing years. Thank you.
Thank you, Kim!