About
Pastor, leader, teacher.
I've spent my life helping people understand God's Word and live it out. I've served as senior pastor of established churches in Washington and Iowa, led a church and its Christian school of about 700 students, led a congregation to retire a multimillion-dollar debt, and founded City Serve DSM. I've also planted churches from California to British Columbia, and I serve as an Iowa State Patrol chaplain and a certified executive leadership coach.
What I believe about ministry
Instead of withdrawing from the culture around me, I want to engage it and be an articulate voice for Jesus Christ in the marketplace of ideas.
Real · Relational · Relevant
Real. My life isn't perfect, but I believe the gospel shows through the cracks.
Relational. I want to build authentic Christian community and speak the language of today's culture, especially to people who don't fit the mold of the traditional church.
Relevant. I face the issues that matter to the people I'm trying to reach. I stay a student of the culture, set aside unnecessary tradition and spiritual jargon, and meet people where they are, pointing them to the power of the cross.
I hold firmly to Scripture's essential truths while being creative, adaptable and strategic in fulfilling the Great Commission. My ministry is grounded in the lordship of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Every local church has its own God-given strengths and character. I recognize and build on those strengths, develop leaders, and bring fresh ideas and resources where they help a congregation accomplish its mission.
Life today
I'm the senior pastor of Capitol City Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and the founder and CEO of City Serve DSM.
I serve as a chaplain with the Iowa State Patrol, supporting troopers across three districts and responding with the Department of Public Safety in critical incidents. I've trained and assessed church planters, and I write a book at the end of every teaching series.
Most importantly, I'm married to my wife, Joy. We have two adult sons, both married to amazing women, and two grandchildren we love and enjoy. Everyone says it, but Joy and I truly are best friends. There's no one I'd rather spend time with, and time with our kids and grandkids is a close second.
Joy and I share a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. We work out together five days a week. Good health isn't the only way we serve the Lord, but it lets us serve Him more effectively and with fewer limits. As long as He allows, we want to take care of our bodies so we can be useful to Him, to each other, to our family and to our ministry. That conviction is what led me to write Rented House. When I get the chance, you'll find me on a golf course or somewhere outdoors.
Statement of faith
What I believe, with the Scripture behind it. Tap any reference to read the passage.
The Bible
The Bible was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is true and trustworthy, without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16 · 2 Peter 1:20–21 · 2 Timothy 1:13 · Psalm 119:105 · Psalm 119:160 · Psalm 12:6 · Proverbs 30:5
God
God has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1 · Genesis 1:26–27 · Genesis 3:22 · Psalm 90:2 · Matthew 28:19 · 1 Peter 1:2 · 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is co-equal with the Father. He lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead on the third day, showing his power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22–23 · Isaiah 9:6 · John 1:1–5 · John 14:10–30 · Hebrews 4:14–15 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · Romans 1:3–4 · Acts 1:9–11 · 1 Timothy 6:14–15 · Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, giving power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right, and he is at work making us more like Christ. Christians seek to live under his control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17 · John 16:7–13 · John 14:16–17 · Acts 1:8 · 1 Corinthians 2:12 · 1 Corinthians 3:16 · Ephesians 1:13 · Galatians 5:25 · Ephesians 5:1
People
Every person is created in the image of God and is the supreme object of his creation. We have tremendous potential for good, yet we are marred by thoughts, attitudes and actions of disobedience toward God called sin, and sin separates us from him.
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 8:3–6 · Isaiah 53:6 · Romans 3:23 · Isaiah 59:1–2
Salvation
No one can make up for sin through self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus Christ by faith.
Romans 6:23 · Ephesians 2:8–9 · John 14:6 · John 1:12 · Titus 3:5 · Galatians 3:26 · Romans 5:1
Assurance
Because God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ, believers can live with confident assurance. Salvation rests on the grace and power of God, not on our own effort.
John 10:29 · 2 Timothy 1:12 · Hebrews 7:25 · Hebrews 10:10 · Hebrews 10:14 · 1 Peter 1:3–5
Baptism
Baptism was commanded by Jesus Christ. It is a sign of God's grace and of new life in Christ, and a public witness of faith in him.
Communion
The Lord's Supper was given by Jesus Christ to his church. In the bread and the cup we remember his body broken and his blood shed for us, proclaim his death until he comes, and are strengthened in faith in the atoning work of the cross.
Matthew 26:26–30 · Mark 14:22–26 · Luke 22:19–20 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–29
Eternity
Every person will exist eternally, either separated from God by sin or with God in heaven through forgiveness and salvation in Christ. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16 · 1 John 2:25 · 1 John 5:11–13 · Romans 6:23 · Revelation 20:15 · Matthew 25:31–46
Contact
Churches, event planners and partners
For speaking invitations, City Serve partnerships or questions about the books, send a note and I'll reply personally.
rickmelick@me.com
Des Moines, Iowa
Email me directly
The fastest way to reach me. I read and answer every message personally.
rickmelick@me.com