Rick Parks - West Coast/Canadian Office
I have a slogan that I live by - I can dream bigger when my pool of knowledge is deeper and I can expect greater things when my faith is not limited by my imagination.
For the past 15 years I have transferred back and forth between pastoral ministry and faith based non profit work. It has been a great learning experience for me as I have tried to figure out what I am going to do with my life after I grow up. The entrepreneurial spirit within me never let's me stay content with just doing things the normal way and often I am accused of thinking outside the box - I kinda like that.
3 years ago I left the security of a fulltime job to venture out on my own in an attempt to find my purpose. The first few years were a lesson in survival as I struggled to bring a new business online and make it profitable. I did everything from selling corporate race days to installing computer systems in COSTCOs. All the while discovering and building my own personal dreams and trying to make them reality. Throughout the course of these few years a number of opportunities arose which started to define my own vision:
- In 2007 I became the first chaplain in the history of NASCAR Canada. Up until that point NASCAR Canada had been called CASCAR and over its 40 year history they never had a chaplain tour with the series. In 2007 when NASCAR bought CASCAR they insisted on finding a chaplain for the series. Through a network of relationships I was given a call and I accepted the offer to step into this very exciting role. This was the beginning of finding my passion.
- In 2008 I was hired by a local construction firm to become their corporate chaplain. This wonderful experience even further moulded my love for the chaplain role and began to birth in me an idea.
- In late 2008 I started my own company helping other ministers establish their own corporate chaplain ministry. That company has morphed into Connekt Faith Based Services which offers a number of services built around the need to implement faith into the local marketplace. We offer corporate chaplains, marriage officiating, funeral services and now ministry recruiting. I am very excited about adding this new chapter to my life and company.
It really comes down to answering the simple question - "Rick, What do you do?" I can now answer that question very clearly - I help connect people to ministry and ministry to people.
As I look over my slogan above I am pleased to say my knowledge is getting deeper and my faith in God is without limits.
I look forward to assisting you in finding the right minister for your ministry or finding the right ministry for you to minister. In whatever case - it's an honor to serve.
