I was so glad I could hear my dad preach at Orchard Hills Baptist Church this morning and also be there in support of the announcement by my mom and dad. I am SO grateful that they are FINALLY taking my advice to SLOW DOWN in life! After dad has now pastored for over 62 years and both mom and dad have served the Lord and His church together for now for than 52 years, dad announced from the pulpit this morning that he and mom are retiring from full time ministry as of May 1, 2015. Along with an excitement for what the Lord has in store for them in the near future, also comes with a lot of emotions. I am so proud to have a mom and a dad who have given their lives and their all to faithfully serving the Lord, preaching and teaching the Gospel, and sacrificially ministering to and loving on thousands of God’s people over these many years…Dad growing up in McGehee, Arkansas, a graduate of Ouachita Baptist…mom growing up in Houston and the two of them meeting at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth...The other wonderful churches that the Rial family has been blessed to serve in is First Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma, River Oaks Baptist Church in Houston, First Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas, and Hillcrest Baptist Church in Duncanville (now in Cedar Hill). Now for most of you who know my mom and dad, they will NEVER truly “retire” from ministry, but I know that now, the Lord will lead them to even greater ways to build His kingdom and now will have the time and energy to do what they really want to do. I ask that you pray for them during this transition to follow the Lord’s direction and calling. Thank you Mom and Dad for demonstrating to me what it truly means to be Christ like and to unconditionally love on people. You will not find another pastor and his wife who have sacrificed their own time, needs and energy to minister and give to others. As said in Matthew 25:21, God is looking down and saying, “Dickson and Shirley Rial, well done, my good and faithful servants!” I love you and I am so proud to be your son today! I want to thank the thousands of so many of you throughout the Rial family journey that has loved us so mightily and I ask that you join in this celebration and share your love for them and how much they have meant to you as well.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 18:18:42 +0000