September 2009
Church Spotlight - “The God of Second Chances”
An interview with Rich Pilon, Men’s Ministry Leader of Greenwood Community Church of Greenwood  Village, Colorado
What can God do with a 6’4”, 245 lb guy who struggled with drug addiction, sexual integrity issues, two divorces… and realized one day that the one common denominator in this kind of life was him and him alone? A lot, it seems. Rich Pilon says that when he realized he was his own worst enemy, he called out to God and said, “I quit.” God took him at his word and Rich had no idea what God was going to do with a broken and contrite heart. But Rich learned that he serves a God of second chances.
Today Rich is the men’s ministry leader at Greenwood Community Church located in an affluent suburb of Denver that draws an attendance of around 2600 followers. We asked him for an interview when we heard that he and his leadership team of ten men routinely attract around 250 men at one time or another to their events. Rich has been happily married for 16 years now, and when asked to look back at his life, he can see how God has not only redeemed it, but has used his painful past to model grace and mercy in the lives of other men. He humbly refers to himself as a ‘Hope Dispenser.”
MMC: Rich, what is the most attractive element of your men’s ministry?
Rich: Authenticity. We have frequent retreats where men can ‘unplug’ - no cell phones -and men can become part of a small community of guys that really care about each other. They learn that they don’t have to be ‘posers’ and can be real with God and each other.
MMC: What is your biggest challenge-or frustration-in your ministry with men?
Rich: Getting each man to grasp-to truly understand-the significance of salvation and discipleship and its impact on his family and his sphere of influence in life. There is no more urgent need in the church today. Men need to see that faith and spirituality are not just ‘women’s work’, but ‘men’s work,’ and we need to talk to them in a language that they understand as men. Men need to understand that they are all leaders and are called to lead, whether they accept it or not…it just depends upon how one is called to lead.
MMC: What is your vision for the men in your ministry?
Rich: That they would embrace their calling to be sacrificial leaders, not because they are ‘all that,’ but because God has called them to lead in their homes, families, and church. Men need to submit to the lordship of Christ and truly experience who God has made them to be and not see that it’s just a ‘religious’ thing they do.
Rich feels that discipleship happens best in the company of a small group of men who care deeply about one another. One of the main tools they use is the ‘Men’s Fraternity-the Quest for Authentic Manhood” because it promotes authenticity and transparency within a small group. Deep, bonding friendships are formed which help guys learn to be transparent with each other. He feels that, when struggling, men become loners and don’t reach out to other men. “That way”, he says, “when a guy cuts away from the herd, the other men go after him and bring him back…whether he wants to or not!” Pretty cool.
Rich is a great example of the redeeming grace and mercy of a God who sees our potential in Christ, and doesn’t look back. As Rich Pilon’s life illustrates, we serve a God of second chances. Rich can be contacted at:
Greenwood Community Church
303-843-0281
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