D. Rick Ross, newly appointed general treasurer of the U.S. Assemblies of God, has an extensive knowledge of the Fellowship acquired through decades of ministry across the country.

Ross started his ministry in Ohio before moving to Washington state, where he pastored for 18 years. He then spent two decades ministering in North Carolina, most recently as superintendent of the North Carolina Assemblies of God, a position he held for eight years.

In April, the AG Executive Presbytery unanimously selected the energetic and driven Ross to fill the remaining 16-month term of Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús. De Jesús was appointed executive director of AG U.S. Missions, succeeding the retiring Malcolm P. Burleigh.

Ross is no stranger to Springfield, Missouri, where on June 3 he officially became one of six resident members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Ross graduated from Central Bible College and Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield.

As a student, Ross attended Calvary Temple (AG), where he met his wife, Susan. In 2021, Ross chaired Evangel University’s board when it chose Mike Rakes as president.

Since 2019, Ross has been the Southeast Area representative on the 21-member AG Executive Presbytery, flying to Springfield for meetings six times annually. During that span, he has served on the Executive Presbytery finance subcommittee, working in depth with De Jesús.

“My experience as an executive presbyter has given me a greater understanding of our diverse AG culture across America,” Ross says. “I’ve seen the power of teamwork among our ELT members.”

As North Carolina superintendent, Ross established a costs savings track record. He quickly eliminated $250,000 in annual salaries and arranged for the $2 million sale of the high-maintenance 40-acre headquarters, setting aside half the proceeds for church planting and revitalization.

The district is saving $250,000 annually in facilities costs by renting 4,000 square feet from Cross Assembly (AG) in Raleigh. A district initiative to launch 100 churches this decade is ahead of schedule.

Former AG Executive Presbyter Warren Bullock, who lives in Oregon, says the experience Ross brings to the role will serve him well as general treasurer.

“If ever there was a position and a person meant for each other, this is it,” Bullock wrote to Ross after his appointment. “You have proven your financial acumen in many ways, and will do it now on a bigger stage.”

Ross is trusting the Lord to guide him in this ministry assignment.

“I hope God will bring a fresh perspective of how we can be great stewards of the amazing resources He has placed within our hands,” Ross says. “God has given us resources to make sure we reach the lost, equip our ministers, and build great churches in every community that will be marked by spiritual and numerical growth.”

“My experience as an executive presbyter has given me a greater understanding of our diverse AG culture across America.”
— D. Rick Ross

As North Carolina superintendent, Ross created a culture of acceptance and partnership that is demographically representative. Over the past four years, three-quarters of new ministerial credential holders in the North Carolina Assemblies of God have been female, ethnic minorities, and/or under age 40.

There are 45 Hispanic and 25 Native American AG churches in the Tar Heel State. In addition, 10 senior pastors are women, 10 are Black, and a dozen are other ethnicities.

Ross, who holds a ministry doctorate from Bakke Graduate University in Dallas, also bequeathed a trail of impressive numbers wherever he pastored. During his first three years at Christian Assembly in Middletown, Ohio, the congregation grew from 40 to 300.

Richland AG in Washington state doubled in size, from 250 to 500, over the four years Ross led the congregation. New Life Church in Renton, Washington, burgeoned from 600 to 2,000 during his 15-year pastorate.

When Ross arrived at North Carolina’s Concord First Assembly in 2003, he realized the church needed to broaden its base beyond the 98% of attendees who were white. By the time Ross moved to his district position 13 years later, the church’s attendance had increased from 1,200 to 4,000, and 40% of congregants were ethnic minorities. The church also opened eight satellite campuses.

Unity was a hallmark of Ross’ tenure as North Carolina superintendent. He organized bimonthly prayer and discussion meetings with leaders from three other Pentecostal denominations: Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee); the International Pentecostal Holiness Church; and Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church. These efforts resulted in community cooperation throughout the state.

For a quarter century, Ross has been actively involved in Convoy of Hope, the compassion ministry arm of the AG. He served as chairman of Convoy’s National Pastors Commission and was the first nonresident executive vice president in the charity’s history.

Rick and Susan have been married for 45 years and have two children and six grandchildren. An ordained AG minister, Susan led the North Carolina Network of Women Ministers.

Their son, Derrick Ross, is pastor of Celebration Church (AG) in Lakeville, Minnesota. The Rosses’ daughter, Karissa Thorpe, is a high school guidance counselor. Karissa’s husband, Seth Thorpe, serves as corporate relations director for Convoy of Hope. The Thorpes are relocating to Springfield from North Carolina.

Susan has deep roots in Springfield and the Assemblies of God. Her grandfather David Hastie served as pastor of Central Assembly of God and Southern Missouri District superintendent. Susan’s great-grandfather Arthur Hastie was one of the 300 people who gathered in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during April 1914 to found the Fellowship. (David is pictured in his father’s arms in a photo commemorating the event.)

Both Rick and Susan have an AG heritage that extends back four generations. Susan’s father, Ronald Hastie, was president of Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota, and pastored several AG churches. Rick’s father, Delmar Ross, was a pastor who also oversaw four Teen Challenge centers.

Two of Rick’s three siblings have led AG megachurches. Randal Ross is the retired senior pastor of Calvary Church in Naperville, Illinois. Becky Hennesy is co-pastor with her husband, Jim, of Trinity Church in Cedar Hill, Texas.

“I am so honored to serve our Fellowship and look forward to all God has set into motion according to Ephesians 2:10,” Ross says.

That verse declares, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Influence magazine.