In Memory of Dan Rice
Article written by John Lusk
When Dan chose the theme of our 2008 Heartland Youth Camp, he did not know he was also selecting a theme that would be used to memorialize his life. That theme was Legendary. Dan truly was a legendary man. When I first moved to St. Louis in 2004, to serve as the lead evangelist, I was skeptical of Dan. He was also skeptical of me. That was not the most trusting time in our church’s history. Would we get along? Would he support me? Would I respect him? In a very short time, all those fears were calmed, as we became incredible friends, soul mates, and true partners in the gospel. It was a joy and an honor to serve side by side with Dan for nearly five years. It was the greatest challenge of my life to rush to the hospital at four in the morning on June 20th and hear the doctor tell his family that they could not save him. Performing the funeral was a close second.
During the past week, I have heard from hundreds of disciples from all over the world and from many of Dan’s extended family. We have shared stories about Dan and tears for Dan. I have had time to reflect on what made him such a legendary man, and while there are many reasons, two primary ones have settled in my heart.
Legendary Relationships. Dan’s greatest gift was his ability to form deep and lasting relationships. I believe it all started with his relationship with God. From 1982 in Tucson, Arizona when he first proclaimed that Jesus was his Lord, he walked with God. Through all of the challenges that Satan and life threw his way, he never stopped pursuing a deep, intimate walk with God. It was inspiring for me to witness. From that foundation, he was able to give to others with such realness and sincerity, that relationships just blossomed all around him. His marriage of 18 years to Heidi was like a fairy tale…he was passionately in love. His closeness to his daughter Alex, 16, and his son Taylor, 14, was obvious and apparent to all. Beyond that, so many others considered themselves “Dan’s best friend”. He had a special way of drawing you in with his humor and listening ear, being so approachable and securing. From the smallest child or the toughest teen or the oldest disciple, everyone felt close to Dan. It was not surprising that there were so many at his memorial service. Brothers and sisters came from all over the country; flowers were sent from all over the world. He would have been happy to know that we had our “record attendance” on that day, smashing our previous amount by nearly two hundred. As our technology guru, Dan always dreamed of setting up a live audio/video feed in our fellowship hall as an overflow on a big neighbor day. We finally did it on that day, and packed that hall as well. He truly was a man of legendary relationships.
Legendary Leadership. Again, from the day Dan first put on Jesus in baptism, he had a passion and desire to advance His Kingdom. From Tucson, he moved to Fairfax, VA, to be a part of the newly started church there. Then he went to Gainesville, FL, followed by Denver, CO. It was in Denver, in 1987 that he was first hired as a summer intern at Denver University, and continued on in the ministry when that summer ended. From there he served in churches in Colorado Springs, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Wichita, and St. Louis, where he has served for the past nine years. Dan has led just about every ministry possible—married couples, singles, campus, entire churches, but most recently found his greatest niche in youth and family ministry. This was his forte. At a time when many ministers were losing their stride and struggling to hold on to their idealistic expectations, Dan was finding his like never before. He was excellent in this ministry. He traveled more in the past year speaking about youth and family ministry than he had ever traveled before, literally all over the world. We were proud and thankful to have him serving in that capacity here in St. Louis. He and Heidi have built an outstanding youth ministry here. He also served as the director of the Heartland Youth Camp and the Heartland Kids Kamp, he excelled in both of those roles. Our camps were truly legendary under his leadership. Many souls will make it to heaven, and after thanking God for their salvation, will surely thank Dan for leading them to God. He was truly a legendary leader.
We will all miss Dan. I wake up every morning with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I once again face the world and realize he is gone. However, rather than dwell on the years ahead without him, I choose to be grateful for the years behind that I did have with him. He fought the good fight and has now finished the race. We all find great comfort knowing he has heard, “Well done good and faithful servant, come share your Master’s happiness.”
Dan, your legendary life will continue on through all of us.