Five Questions for Rick Qualls
Rev. Rick Qualls started in the ministry in 1972 as a children’s pastor. Rick, along with his wife, Verna, have served in various positions at Glad Tidings Church in Bellingham, Washington until 1978 when they and their daughter, Lori, were sent to the Philippines as missionaries. During their time in the Philippines, they were involved in training pastors and planting churches. The Lord blessed them with two more children while in the Philippines, Lisa and RJ. In 1982 they returned to Bellingham and became associate pastors with the responsibility of running a private school that their church offered. After 17 years of pastoring, teaching (and adding one more son to the family, Jeremy) they were part of a church blend with First Advent Christian Church in Bellingham. Today, three of their children are involved in pastoring, and two of their 12 grandchildren have begun Bible school training in Portland, OR. Presently, they still pastor First Advent Christian (Fountain Community Church) in Bellingham. Additionally, Rick serves as the Western Region Superintendent for ACGC and as a regional church health coach.
What's the one big thing you have gotten right in ministry?
RQ: God has blessed Verna and me with some amazing mentors. Our first senior pastor, his peers and then over the years, the Lord brought other men and women into our lives that helped to mold and re-mold our lives and ministry. One of those men, Dave, we met in our first couple of years of ministry. He had been pastoring a long while (about 40 years) and I asked him for some words of wisdom. He told me, “Never lose focus. Stick with Jesus and the Bible and you will make it to the finish line”
With the Lord’s help over the years, we have stayed focused. Not to say there weren’t challenging times, difficult seasons…because there were. But we would come back to our core, “sticking with Jesus and the Bible.” In a world where pastors’ kids were considered some of the worst, by his grace, the Lord helped us to instill the same focus into our kids. Even in some very overwhelming moments they held solid to their roots in Jesus. The Lord has certainly led us in ways that we wouldn’t have expected or planned for, but he has always been faithful.
I tend to trust people and their motives too easily. It is hard for me to believe that someone could have anything but the best in mind within the church community. As a result, I have often been too transparent with some of my co-workers in ministry, sharing my challenges etc. While there were some that were very faithful friends and stood with us through many years, there were those that used their knowledge to do damage to me and my family.
What's the one big thing you have gotten wrong in ministry?
RQ: I tend to trust people and their motives too easily. It is hard for me to believe that someone could have anything but the best in mind within the church community. As a result, I have often been too transparent with some of my co-workers in ministry, sharing my challenges etc. While there were some that were very faithful friends and stood with us through many years, there were those that used their knowledge to do damage to me and my family. The impact was hard for my family and for the ministry.
I still believe in having good relationships, people that are trustworthy and have good personal integrity; that is a value I will probably never surrender. My hope and prayer is that I have more wisdom when committing my trust to people that the Lord brings along.
What advice would you give your 25-year old self?
RQ: First, make sure that your family knows that they are valued. It is too easy to assume that they know you love and care for them. Look for ways to elevate your relationship with your wife and kids. Second, be willing to share the load of ministry. The entire vision and mission of the church does not depend on you. Delegation is hard, but those that work with you need to learn and grow. Third, not everyone will see what you see and even if they do, they may not agree with you. Some of the greatest learning moments will come during the season of waiting. Fourth, make sure to listen to the whole story. Don’t rush to a conclusion or even a response. There are those that God will use to tell you the truth, listen.
What brings you the most joy in ministry?
RQ: I do love being in the ministry, there are so many things that cause me to have much joy. The top of the list would be people responding to the Word. When you see that person come to the altar or get the call from someone who followed the Word and saw the fruit from it, incredible! Seeing someone ‘tear up’ because they understood the love of their Heavenly Father and that his promises were for them. It is an amazing moment when you hear or see a new generation take on the work of ministry. The first sermon, or leading a prayer group, stepping out to share Jesus with someone.
Then there are the prodigal moments, when someone comes back to the Lord and you get to see or hear about the return to Jesus!
What do you wish you were better at as a pastor or leader?
RQ: I am not naturally confrontational, which at times keeps me from speaking the truth. There are times when I hesitate and then the damage is greater. Then there are times when I speak quickly, not having prayed the situation through; equally damaging.
Over the years of ministry, I have always felt comfortable in a pastoral or teaching role. More challenging, however, has been sharing my faith with people that are still on their way to Jesus. I truly value the need to reach people with the message of the gospel. I need to pray for ‘my Jerusalem’ (family and friends) as much as I do for others. Sharing the gospel is an area that I have to continue to motivate myself to be much bolder and consistent.
Justin Nash, “Five Questions for Rick Qualls” The Witness, Winter 2022