Latest news with #AssociationofRelatedChurches
Time Business News
02-07-2025
- General
- Time Business News
Why 'Now Is Not Forever': Dino Rizzo's Words of Encouragement for Discouraged Leaders
There are moments when continuing feels impossible. Whether you're guiding a team, leading a church, or just trying to stay faithful to what you believe you're called to do, exhaustion can creep in. Dino Rizzo, President of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), knows that feeling well—and offers hope for those tempted to walk away. 'You're not alone. You're not rare. You're not broken,' says Dino Rizzo. 'Wanting to give up doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It just means you're human.' The Power of Perspective Rizzo shares a simple but profound phrase passed down from his father-in-law: 'Now is not forever.' When setbacks pile up and progress seems invisible, it's easy to believe the current season will never end. But Dino Rizzo encourages leaders to zoom out and remember that time brings change—and clarity. 'There are moments in life when everything shakes,' Rizzo reflects. 'But even if it feels like it's over, what's on the other side of it—in God—is still okay.' Instead of making permanent decisions in a temporary storm, Rizzo urges people to stay rooted. Circumstances may shift, but faith, purpose, and calling remain. Rethinking the Scoreboard One of Dino Rizzo's strongest messages is about reevaluating how success is measured. For many, it's easy to fall into comparison—watching someone else's growth, metrics, or popularity and feeling behind. Rizzo challenges that mindset with a better metric: obedience. 'The real scoreboard is your obedience to broken humanity,' he says, recalling a moment when a small act of generosity reminded him what matters most. Whether it's ministry, business, or personal life, Rizzo insists that keeping your heart aligned with compassion—not applause—is the key to longevity. Most of What You Fear Won't Happen Discouragement often comes with anxiety about the future. But Rizzo has a sobering insight: the vast majority of what he's worried about in life never actually came true. 'Ninety percent of what created panic in my life never happened. The 10% that did? God was faithful through it. Friends showed up. The Bible spoke. Worship helped.' Final Words for the Weary If you're on the edge of burnout, consider this your invitation to take a breath, not to quit. Dino Rizzo's message isn't hype—it's rooted in years of personal experience: Hold steady. Trust God. Let this season pass. Now is not forever. Keep going. You are not alone. About Dino Rizzo Dino Rizzo, a 35-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored 'Serve Your City.' Rizzo serves as the President of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1100 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands Attend 2025 ARC Conference Hosted by Association of Related Churches
The Association of Related Churches hosted the 2025 ARC Conference at Milestone Church in Keller, TX, where over 3,000 pastors and leaders gathered to be equipped, inspired, and united in their mission to build life-giving churches. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Related Churches (ARC) welcomed more than 3,000 pastors, leaders, and ministry teams to the 2025 ARC Conference, held April 29–30 at Milestone Church in Keller, Texas. The two-day event brought together voices from across the ARC church network and beyond, all united by a common vision: to see a thriving church in every community. Hosted by Jeff and Brandy Little, Lead Pastors of Milestone Church, the ARC Conference created space for encouragement, equipping, and relational connection. Focusing on the power of the local church and the impact of church planting, attendees left energized to return to their cities and lead with renewed passion. Main session speakers included Dino Rizzo, President and Executive Director of ARC; Chris Hodges, Founding Pastor of Church of the Highlands and the first-ever ARC church plant; and John Siebeling, Lead Pastor of The Life Church in Memphis. They were joined by other influential voices such as Aaron Burke of Radiant Church in Tampa, Steve Robinson of Church of the King, Charlotte Gambill, Priscilla Shirer of Going Beyond Ministries, and several pastors representing more recent ARC church plants: Matthew Davis (Blueprint Church, Houston), Amby Ehiemere (The Well Church, Rockville), and Mark Francey (Oceans Church, Orange County). Throughout the event, attendees participated in specialized App Sessions covering leadership, ministry operations, youth and kids ministry, worship, creative arts, and production. These smaller gatherings provided practical takeaways designed to strengthen churches in every area of ministry. One standout moment of the conference was the ARC Women Lunch & Learn. This event was a gathering focused on encouraging and equipping women in ministry, and emphasized ARC's commitment to supporting leaders at every level and in every role within the church. Dino Rizzo noted the significance of this year's gathering, saying, "The ARC Conference continues to be a place where relationships are formed and vision is renewed. There's nothing like seeing thousands of leaders gathered with one heart to build life-giving churches." The 2025 ARC Conference was a reflection of the Association of Related Churches' growing influence in shaping the future of church planting and leadership development. With over 1,160 churches planted through ARC since its inception, the momentum continues to build as more leaders step into their calling. To learn more about ARC, future events, or how to plant a church through the Association of Related Churches, visit About the Association of Related Churches (ARC): The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC's operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ's life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,160 new churches globally. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts Organization: Association of Related ChurchesLocation: Birmingham, ALEmail: inquiries@ Phone Number: 205.981.4566Website: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Thousands Attend 2025 ARC Conference Hosted by Association of Related Churches
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Related Churches (ARC) welcomed more than 3,000 pastors, leaders, and ministry teams to the 2025 ARC Conference, held April 29–30 at Milestone Church in Keller, Texas. The two-day event brought together voices from across the ARC church network and beyond, all united by a common vision: to see a thriving church in every community. Hosted by Jeff and Brandy Little, Lead Pastors of Milestone Church, the ARC Conference created space for encouragement, equipping, and relational connection. Focusing on the power of the local church and the impact of church planting, attendees left energized to return to their cities and lead with renewed passion. Main session speakers included Dino Rizzo, President and Executive Director of ARC; Chris Hodges, Founding Pastor of Church of the Highlands and the first-ever ARC church plant; and John Siebeling, Lead Pastor of The Life Church in Memphis. They were joined by other influential voices such as Aaron Burke of Radiant Church in Tampa, Steve Robinson of Church of the King, Charlotte Gambill, Priscilla Shirer of Going Beyond Ministries, and several pastors representing more recent ARC church plants: Matthew Davis (Blueprint Church, Houston), Amby Ehiemere (The Well Church, Rockville), and Mark Francey (Oceans Church, Orange County). Throughout the event, attendees participated in specialized App Sessions covering leadership, ministry operations, youth and kids ministry, worship, creative arts, and production. These smaller gatherings provided practical takeaways designed to strengthen churches in every area of ministry. One standout moment of the conference was the ARC Women Lunch & Learn. This event was a gathering focused on encouraging and equipping women in ministry, and emphasized ARC's commitment to supporting leaders at every level and in every role within the church. Dino Rizzo noted the significance of this year's gathering, saying, 'The ARC Conference continues to be a place where relationships are formed and vision is renewed. There's nothing like seeing thousands of leaders gathered with one heart to build life-giving churches.' The 2025 ARC Conference was a reflection of the Association of Related Churches' growing influence in shaping the future of church planting and leadership development. With over 1,160 churches planted through ARC since its inception, the momentum continues to build as more leaders step into their calling. To learn more about ARC, future events, or how to plant a church through the Association of Related Churches, visit About the Association of Related Churches (ARC): The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC's operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ's life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,160 new churches globally.
Int'l Business Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Turning Closed Doors into New Opportunities with the Association of Related Churches
Launching something new—whether it's a business, nonprofit, or, in the case of Mark and Rachelle Francey, a church—often involves navigating unexpected setbacks and closed doors. But with guidance from informed organizations such as the Association of Related Churches (ARC), leaders like Mark and Rachelle have learned how to use these challenges as opportunities for growth. Embracing Challenges: How Setbacks Fuel Growth Mark Francey, co-founder of Oceans Church in Orange County, California, knows that the path to starting something new can be uncertain. Before planting Oceans Church, Mark and Rachelle built their lives in Idaho for nearly two decades, initially hesitant to leave the familiarity of their established community. Their eventual move was not immediate or simple. Instead, they opted for a patient approach, influenced by mentors, including those from the Association of Related Churches, who encouraged them to wait for clarity rather than rush into decisions. This patience ultimately allowed them to seize the right opportunities at the right time. Building Momentum through Patience and Positive Relationships Mark emphasizes the importance of transitioning gracefully from one phase to the next. Leaving Idaho with positive relationships intact allowed Mark and Rachelle to start fresh in California. This smooth transition helped set the tone for their new venture. But even with careful planning, challenges inevitably arose. Early logistical problems, like losing access to their meeting location, could have halted their progress. Instead, they chose to see these setbacks as opportunities to innovate and adapt, fostering creativity and resilience in their team. Transforming Obstacles into Innovative Solutions This approach aligns closely with principles taught by the Association of Related Churches, which emphasize adaptability and resilience as key attributes for anyone starting new ventures. Rather than viewing obstacles as purely negative, the Franceys recognized these moments as opportunities to grow stronger and more resourceful. Creating Community Impact with Initiatives like Baptize America Mark and his team also initiated a community-driven event called Baptize America, first piloted in Southern California. What started as a regional gathering quickly gained attention, spreading across various states. The initiative effectively created a sense of unity and shared purpose, highlighting how powerful a community-oriented project can become when it genuinely resonates with people. Discovering Your Unique Path to Leadership and Success For those considering launching their own projects, Mark encourages authenticity and self-awareness. Rather than copying someone else's blueprint, Mark recommends embracing the unique skills and experiences each person naturally possesses. "Success comes from authentically leaning into your personal strengths," he says. The Association of Related Churches: Equipping Leaders for Lasting Influence Mark's experiences illustrate a universal truth about leadership and growth: Facing setbacks with patience, humility, and adaptability can open doors to new opportunities. Organizations like the Association of Related Churches support leaders as they navigate these transitions, emphasizing the value of viewing closed doors not as failures, but as opportunities to discover better paths forward. About the Association of Related Churches (ARC): The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC's operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ's life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,100 new churches globally.
