About Rick

Ricardo “Rick” Manuel Piña Sr. was born in New York City, to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. He was raised in Brooklyn in a diverse ethnic and religious environment. He had to learn at an early age how to maneuver through the many cultural, racial, and economic clashes that were commonplace in his neighborhood. He did not know it at the time, but he was ‘in training’ for his Godly assignment, one that he would receive many years later. As a boy Rick regularly attended Catholic Mass and faithfully participated in the routine of his local Catholic church, but he never experienced a true encounter with God.

Rick enlisted in the United States Army shortly after graduating from high school. His military duties took him several places, including an assignment to Camp Doha, Kuwait in 1995. It was in Kuwait that Rick finally experienced the power and presence of God. He was Born-Again on August 27th, 1995 during a Camp Doha Gospel Service meeting.

Rick decided early on that he wanted to surrender all to God and allow God to use him for His glory. Five months after receiving Christ he taught his first Bible study. 18 months later he preached his first sermon and he has never stopped preaching. Rick has served in every area and level of ministry since his conversion experience. He has served as an usher, choir member, armor-bearer, men’s ministry leader, Sunday school teacher, Bible study teacher, church administrator, Director of Christian Education, Assistant Pastor, and Pastor. Most recently, Rick served as the Assistant Pastor of the Camp Victory Gospel Service (Victory Gospel Experience) in Baghdad, Iraq. While in Iraq he also led the Intercessory Prayer ministry, taught a weekly Bible Study (Living By Faith), and taught Minister’s training. His time in Iraq was powerful and refreshing.

Rick also ministers via the Internet by sharing a daily devotional with people all over the world. He started the devotional ministry (Today’s Word) in December of 1997 with 8 of his friends and today the ministry has grown to about 2000.

Being born to immigrant parents and raised in a multi-racial environment, Rick easily connects with Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, Asians, and just about anyone he comes in contact with. He is equally comfortable with General or Private, Rich or Poor. His humble beginnings in Brooklyn have prepared him to minister to all races at all levels. God has blessed him, like Paul, to become all things to all people, so that through him, God might save some. He preaches a Word that inspires (expanding your capacity to believe God), instructs (clearly teaching how to apply your faith to daily living), and encourages (lifting up the eyes of the brokenhearted).

Last, but certainly not least, Rick is Father to Ricardo Manuel jr., Alyssa Chanel, and Joshua Benjamin; husband to the former Isabella Toussaint of Dominica; and son to the King of Glory!

Rick believes that He has been called by God to Pastor a Multi-racial, Non-Denominational ministry (Living Faith Christian Life Center) in Tampa, Florida. Rick has established Rick Piña Ministries (RPM) to support his itinerant ministry while he still serves in the military and upon the culmination of his military career he will enter full time ministry.

This self-professed “Dominican kid from Brooklyn” is seeking to impact lives through God’s love and light!