When people hear the name Dino Rizzo, they often think of church planting and leadership. But beneath those titles is a deeper story of redemption, relationships, and unwavering faith. As the Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches (ARC) and author of Servolution, Rizzo’s life reveals what it means to grow through every season of life, not just the easy ones but also the difficult moments that shape character and deepen roots.
The Beauty of God’s Order
In a recent episode of Unscripted with Dr. Manny Arango, Rizzo reflected on the importance of divine order in every part of life. “There’s an order to your soul, to families, to the church, and even to your finances,” he said.
He explained that just as a tree naturally produces fruit when its roots are healthy, our lives flourish when we live in alignment with God’s design. “You never walk by a tree that’s straining,” Rizzo said. “If the roots are in the right place, the fruit will come.”
This truth echoes teachings from the BibleProject and the Gospel Coalition, both of which emphasize that order and trust lead to peace. Rizzo’s leadership reflects this same rhythm: lasting growth begins with spiritual stability and obedience.
Building Takes Maturity
Dr. Arango told a story about his son at Legoland who wanted the finished car on the box but didn’t want to build it piece by piece. “It takes maturity to be a builder,” he said. Rizzo nodded and added, “You can’t buy a church; you build it, piece by piece.”
That simple statement captures the heart of ARC Churches. For Rizzo, planting a church is not about speed or spectacle but about faithful, step-by-step obedience. It means walking with people, shaping a culture, and trusting God through every small beginning.
As Lifeway Research reports, leaders who prioritize steady development over rapid growth tend to build stronger and healthier ministries. The same principle drives ARC’s mission to help churches thrive from their first service to long-term impact.
When the “Ugly” Seasons Bear Fruit
In the same conversation, Rizzo and Arango explored the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Arango observed that “ugly things can still be fruitful,” and Rizzo agreed, pointing out that everyone wants the visible success of a “Rachel season,” but true growth often comes during the hidden “Leah seasons.”
For Rizzo, this truth is personal. After walking through seasons of challenge and renewal, he has experienced firsthand how God uses pain to produce depth. His message is simple but powerful: the soil of struggle often yields the strongest fruit.
Research from the Barna Group supports this, showing that leaders who endure hardship with humility often develop greater empathy and resilience—qualities that define healthy leadership.
Relationship at the Core
As the conversation wrapped, Rizzo summarized the heartbeat of his ministry: “At ARC, relationships are everything,” he said. “We don’t just plant churches. We build life-giving communities that transform cities for the glory of God.”
Through ARC, Rizzo has helped create a global network where pastors find connection, accountability, and encouragement. As Outreach Magazine notes, strong relationships are one of the most consistent predictors of thriving ministries. For Rizzo, that belief is not theory—it is the foundation of everything ARC stands for.
A Legacy That Multiplies
Decades after founding Healing Place Church and launching the Servolution movement, Dino Rizzo remains driven by one thing: planting what lasts. “The church I’m most excited about planting,” he says, “is the next one.”
From his work at Church of the Highlands to the hundreds of ARC church plants worldwide, Rizzo’s story is about more than ministry — it’s about multiplication. He shows that when leaders are planted in the right soil — community, accountability, and faith — they flourish. And when they flourish, so do the people they serve.
About Dino Rizzo
Dino Rizzo, a 40-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored “Serve Your City.” Rizzo serves as the President of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1100 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands.
