Rick Kardell
Pastoral Care/Evangelism Pastor:

Richard J. Kardell was raised in a Roman Catholic home. Although he was very religious and very dedicated, he was an alcoholic. During his time in the army, he was assigned to Vietnam. It was on his leave before going there that he became fearful and depressed and attempted suicide. By God's grace the attempt failed. He was arrested and jailed. What seemed to be the worst experience of his life turned out to be the best: in jail, as he wept before God asking forgiveness, he had a divine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. As he was lifted out into the realm of the spirit, he saw Jesus dying on the cross as the Father's voice said, "This is my Son who died for you." In light of the cross, Rick realized that despite his former religious fervor, he was a lost sinner on his way to hell. As he simply said, "Jesus, fill me with yourself. I will live for you all the days of my life," he knew he had been forgiven, cleansed and delivered.

In 1982 Rick received a call to full time ministry. He graduated from Harty Bible School, Rhema Bible Training Center and has credentials with the Assemblies of God.

Twice he's had his own daily radio program called "Living Waters" and he served several years as president of the downtown Pittsburgh chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship. Short-term missions trips have taken him to Haiti, China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Kenya, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Madagascar.

Pastor Rick has been on staff at South Hills Assembly since 1989. As Pastoral Care & Evangelism Pastor, he is privileged to take the gospel to nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, and street witnessing. He conducts monthly healing meetings and a yearly Healing School, teaches a weekly support group (Set Free) freeing people from addictions, oversees Divorce Care, Grief Share and Chance To Change groups, food bank, van ministry, Angel Tree, and Alpha. For 23 years he's led weekly intercession meetings and has a heart for the hurting. He directs the Men's Ministry and teaches the Wednesday evening Basic Beliefs course at South Hills Assembly. He is a man of prayer and of the Word.

An ever-increasing hunger for God and His Word coupled with a desire to help people live in God's will (which is health and prosperity in spirit, soul and body) compels him to do all he can to encourage and teach people to walk in the victory that Jesus bought.

He has authored a book, "Healing," and two mini books: "God's Covenant of Love for His People" and "Words of Encouragement."

Pastor Rick's hobbies are gardening and writing.

He is available for speaking engagements if scheduled far enough in advance.