UPDATE (9/18/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 9/18/18
Day 132 post surgery, happy birthday, dad! You made it! Stage 4, matastatic thyroid cancer that spread throughout your chest and ribcage, could not stop you from dedicating your tenth grandchild baby Zion this weekend and celebrating another birthday today. Thanks for always fighting for what’s right, including long, healthy life. Today we celebrate your tenacity, and that fight.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14 NIV)
#CreateMemories #PerfectMoments #Familia #psalmpicsagm
UPDATE (7/17/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 7/17/18
Day 69 post surgery, Pastor Rick is doing great, getting stronger every day. He’s been to church 4 of the last 5 Sundays, and last week joined @agminnyc at numerous events during the 35th annual #JLYNY week — even taking time to greet the community. He still gets winded quickly, and the doctors say it will take another 6-9 months for him to feel back to “normal.” But overall, everyone is thrilled with his progress.
He has a followup doctor’s visit in the next week where they are going to reexamine him to see if in fact he’s cancer free! Please continue to pray with us. #DoYouBelieveInMiracles #YesIDo
UPDATE (6/17/18)
Part 2
From Pastor Rick, via Facebook: “What a wonderful Father’s Day with family. I am of all Dad’s the most blessed. My wonderful Saviour, my incredible Family, my loving church family and all of my relatives and friends. Super grateful for another day of life and excited for what God has in store. Thank you all for your love, prayers and encouragement. Happy Father’s Day to all you dad’s.”
Part 1
UPDATE (6/8/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 6/8/18
Day 30 post surgery, Pastor Rick made an appearance at Jesus Week. We’ll let him tell it this time.
UPDATE (6/4/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 6/4/18
Day 26 post-surgery, stylin’ and profiling, charming his nurse on his way outside for a walk.
Pastor Arlene, via Facebook: “Thank God my husband is back. He just shaved off 20 years for me. Handsome again!!!”
UPDATE (6/2/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 6/2/18
Day 24 post-surgery, this week has been filled with milestones. On Memorial Day, Pastor Rick took his first walk outside around the block, and was warmly greeted by many friends and neighbors along the way. Tuesday and Wednesday had him visiting various doctors who all were pleased with his progress. On Tuesday, they removed the shunt and took him off intravenous medications. On Wednesday, the thyroid oncologist told him his post surgical recovery will take another 6-8 weeks before finding his new normal. As he continues to heal and regain his strength, they will run additional tests to confirm that they got all the cancer. In the meantime they are not recommending radiation or chemotherapy. Keep praying, because the prayers are working.
Today’s comfort and confidence comes from the Apostle Paul, as we remember all of you have stood alongside us in this journey:
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6 NIV)
UPDATE (5/23/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/23/18
Day 14 post-surgery, Pastor Rick has been home recovering since Saturday evening. He still requires IV treatments, so my mother has dusted off her long retired nursing bag of tricks. All things considered he’s doing great so keep praying. Thank you all!
Just letting you know that Rick is home now since Saturday evening and he is doing well. Each day gets better. He still has pain and it’s hard to be too comfortable but it’s all part of the process. We are so happy that the cancer is all out and we give God the credit for that. We thank you so much for all the support, the kind words and all the prayer. God has been good to us. We are grateful. – Pastor Arlene, via Facebook
UPDATE (5/19/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/19/18 Part 2
He’s heading home! Thank you all for your prayers.
Jamie Del Rio, via Instagram: I am pleased to announce that after 10 nights & 11 days at the hospital, my Dad, @pastorrickdelrio is going home!!! I think we are both wearing very appropriate shirts for the occasion. #Jesuschangeseverything #evenstage4cancer #walkbyfaithandnotbysight
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/19/18
Day 10 post-surgery, we are down to the final tube! Today, the doctors will determine if Pastor Rick is ready to have his final post-surgical tube removed from his chest. If so, he’ll be discharged tomorrow, eleven days after six hours of surgery to remove stage 4, metastatic 9/11-related thyroid cancer. Keep praying, because the prayers are working.
Today’s comfort and confidence comes from the Apostle Paul, no stranger to suffering for the sake of the gospel:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. … For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 15-18, NIV)
UPDATE (5/16/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/16/18
Day 7 post-surgery was much better than the last two. Monday’s procedure successfully drained the fluid from his lungs, and the pneumonia is clearing up. Today, he again walked unassisted throughout the floor, and moved to a bed with a priceless, NYC waterfront view. If there are no more complications, he may be able to return home this weekend.
Today’s comfort and confidence (and realness) comes again from the Psalmist:
“Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.” (Psalm 6:2)
UPDATE (5/14/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/14/18
Day 5 post-surgery was rough. Despite mostly steady progress since May 9, Pastor Rick developed pneumonia in the affected left lung over the weekend. Fluid backed up, threatening the synthetic patch closing the ribcage. Doctors performed surgery this afternoon to drain the fluid and get him back on track. Please continue to keep him in prayer.
Today’s comfort and confidence once again comes from the Psalmist:
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5 NIV)
UPDATE (5/13/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/13/18
Day 4 post-surgery, Pastor Rick’s strength continues to grow. The highlight this Mother’s Day was honoring Pastor Arlene Del Rio‘s steadfast love and faithfulness as his beloved wife and mother of their children; along with a visit to the hospital from many of their grandchildren and loved ones.
Today’s comfort and confidence comes again from the Psalmist:
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” (Psalm 107:19-21 NIV)
UPDATE (5/12/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/12/18
Day 3 post-surgery brought significant recovery milestones including solid food for lunch (shrimp!) and dinner, along with several unassisted walks around the floor. While the full pathology report won’t be available until mid-week, preliminary reports indicate the doctors successfully removed all the cancer from his body! Please continue to pray. A miracle is happening.
Today’s comfort and confidence comes from Jesus’ brother James, and experienced repeatedly this past month.
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
UPDATE (5/11/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/11/18
Prayer Collage by Nell Escalante. Thank you @nelarte for this beautiful mixed media masterpiece & prayer for @pastorrickdelrio.
Day 2 post-surgery, progress continues steady and true, but painfully. The doctors, nurses, and staff at NYU Medical Center have been wonderful. After checking his vitals, one caregiver even grabbed Pastor Rick’s hand and prayed boldly for him in Spanish. Many thanks to all who continue to pray and send so many encouraging messages.
The prophet Isaiah provides today’s comfort and confidence:
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:2-5 NIV)
UPDATE (5/10/18)
Pastor Rick Del Rio update, 5/10/18
Thank you all again for your prayers. Day 1 post-surgery has gone as well as the doctors hoped, and my dad has hit all of his recovery milestones so far. He remains in significant pain and discomfort, but otherwise is in great spirits strengthened by your continuing love and prayers.
We draw comfort and confidence from the psalmist:
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” (Psalm 41:1-3 NIV)
UPDATE (5/9/18)
Part 3
Thank you all for your prayers! The surgeons completed both procedures successfully as of approximately 2:15 pm, and Pastor Rick is in recovery now. He is not able to receive visitors at this time. Please continue to pray for a full recovery. Additional updates will come as available.
Part 2
Part 1
This morning at 8:15 am, Pastor Rick Del Rio is scheduled for surgery to aggressively respond to stage 4 thyroid cancer that has metastasized to his chest. The surgeon’s plan is to remove his thyroid, a fist-size tumor on three of his ribs (which will all be removed as a block, including the ribs), and possibly part of his left lung. They will then repair the ribcage with a synthetic plate. The doctors will determine followup treatment options after the surgery.
Pastor Rick enters the operating room with a faith and confidence bolstered by the outpouring of prayers and support he has received since the diagnosis. Please continue to pray with the Del Rio and Abounding Grace families for complete healing. Thank you so much.
UPDATE (4/24/18)
ORIGINAL POST (04/18/18)
An Important Announcement Concerning the Health of our Co-Founding Pastor Rick Del Rio
On April 9, 2018, Pastor Rick Del Rio was officially diagnosed with a form of Thyroid Cancer that his doctors certified as related to his work at Ground Zero after 9/11. The doctors believe that they have caught it early enough that it will respond well to treatment. Unfortunately it is a very aggressive form of cancer that has already spread to his lungs and ribs. The doctors will be conducting additional tests in the next two weeks to confirm if it has spread anywhere else, and finalize their plan for surgery and ongoing treatment. As of today, Pastor Rick has been scheduled for surgery on May 11 that they anticipate will require extensive recovery time. Please join our entire Abounding Grace and Del Rio families in praying for Pastor Rick’s complete healing, and check this page for updates as they come available.
Pastor Rick Leads Clergy Task Force to Ground Zero after 9/11
“Give Me This Mountain”
In the early 1980’s, Pastor Rick Del Rio preached ”Give Me This Mountain” at an old Park Avenue church. His son Jeremy recalls:
“I don’t remember many of Dad’s sermons from back then, but this one captured my heart. He talked about Old Testament Caleb, an eighty-five year old fighter determined to receive a promise he had held onto for forty-five years, even though it meant contending with giants.
“The message stuck mainly because I have watched Dad practice what he preached, not merely as an observer, but as an active participant walking with him along his journey. What a journey we’ve shared, one filled with mountains, valleys, and lots of hostile, would-be giants. The occasional mishap and frequent missteps pale next to the joy he now receives watching all three of his grown sons (and ten grandchildren, so far) serving in urban ministry.”
Today we once again get to journey with Pastor Rick as he confronts another would-be giant attempting to rob him of his mountaintop promise.
“Father Harley”
Pastor Rick Points the Way to Serve at Ground Zero.
Before firefighters at Ground Zero started calling Rick Del Rio “Father Harley,” Pastor Rick was known in New York City as an unconventional street preacher turned church planter who had traded business suits for tank-tops to minister among drug dealers and the homeless in Manhattan’s Lower East Side (LES). His appearance at times seemed thuggish; his manner, gruff. Fearless, he’d been known to get in a face or two. His tattoos and earrings made him least likely to be taken for a reverend, even without weaving between traffic on his Harley Ultra-Glide.
Read: “Not Your Grandmother’s Pastor” (Charisma, 3/31/2004)
At first glance then, few would have expected him to provide onsite spiritual comfort at the scene of the most devastating terrorist attack on our nation’s soil. But first glances can be misleading, as he filled that role following FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge’s death at the World Trade Center. When the second plane hit, the instinct to go where the need is greatest compelled him to drive his motorcycle to the scene. Immediately upon his arrival, minutes after the second tower collapsed, rescue workers asked him to bless a body bag filled with body parts.
Read more about Pastor Rick’s work at Ground Zero: “The Church that 9/11 Built” (Q Ideas, 9/11/13)
The prayer, originally prayed on the pile on September 12th, that mobilized the Ground Zero Clergy Task Force: “Buried in the Rubble are the Seeds of Revival.”
Riding towards Ground Zero was in character for Pastor Rick. Nearly twenty years earlier, in 1982, the young businessman and his wife Arlene were called into evangelistic ministry. A literal interpretation of Romans 5:20 — ”Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more” — drew them to a neighborhood that the NYPD identified as among the most dangerous in New York. Pastors Rick and Arlene’s theory: find the worst drug spots and go there, because an abundance of drugs meant an abundance of sin and by extension, if Scripture is true, God’s Abounding Grace.
Pastors Rick and Arlene lived this conviction and invited their sons and our extended church family to follow their lead. That’s why his response to terror surprised no one who knew him well. He spent the better part of a year after the attacks at Ground Zero, including 12-18 hour days for 100+ days after 9/11, organizing relief efforts and personally guiding more than 300 clergy and ministry partners through the site.
Where Affliction Meets Healing
At Abounding Grace, we believe in a miracle working God who intervenes in the affairs of man. Miracles are unnecessary without hardships; healings pointless without affliction. Please join us in praying for a miracle for Pastor Rick.
