Serve Your City Book

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Through the pages of the Gospels, we see Jesus model a “show and tell” life and ministry to His followers— He “showed” them how to serve by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and caring for the poor—and while He was demonstrating compassion, He taught them, “telling” them of God’s immense love. This is the way to show God’s heart of compassion for the people in our cities and towns, and this is the way to break down barriers so people will listen to the life-changing message of the gospel of grace.

In this book, you’ll sense Dino’s heart, be inspired by his stories and learn from his experiences, as well as many ARC churches that are serving their cities with a Jesus-style no-strings-attached kind of love. This is at the core of who ARC is – a deep passion to see churches thrive as part of the cities they serve.

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OTher Resources

Small Group Curriculum

Leader’s Guide

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In this study, we’ll take seven weeks of content to look at God’s heart of compassion, how He has equipped us to serve, and how groups can serve most effectively.

Small Group Curriculum

Participant’s Guide

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This small group curriculum draws people to the heart of God, reveals their unique giftedness, and points them to practical opportunities to reach the people in their neighborhoods and communities.

Servolution

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In this book, Pastor Dino Rizzo chronicles his experiences of leading his church to reach out and start a revolution through serving.

Serve Your City Bundle

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A bundle of all of the Serve Your City resources available, plus 15 Ideas – How Your Church Can Love Your City, a practical and effective set of outreach ideas to catalyze a culture of serving.

Serve Your City Toolkit

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Download this free Toolkit full of outreach ideas, how-to’s, and more!

100% of the profits from this book and resources goes toward planting churches through ARC.

What Leaders Are Saying

In this incredible book, Dino Rizzo doesn’t just tell church leaders how to love and serve their communities. He shows them how to do it. He reminds us that the best way to grow a church is to love the lost. Churches that embrace the spiritual truths and practical tips in this book will be transformed in a powerful way. It is a must-read for today’s church leaders!

MARK PETTUS
President, Highlands College, Birmingham, Alabama

2018-06-18T12:15:33-05:00

MARK PETTUS
President, Highlands College, Birmingham, Alabama

In this incredible book, Dino Rizzo doesn’t just tell church leaders how to love and serve their communities. He shows them how to do it. He reminds us that the best way to grow a church is to love the lost. Churches that embrace the spiritual truths and practical tips in this book will be transformed in a powerful way. It is a must-read for today’s church leaders!
People won’t line up to be judged, but they might line up to be loved. Judging people is a terrible evangelism method. Today, the world is hurting. Jesus loves the world, Jesus died for this world, and Jesus can heal hurting people in the world. Heaven is real. Serve Your City is a book about bringing Jesus to a hurting world. How can we earn the right to be heard? By showing the world we care.

ROBERT BARRIGER
Lead Pastor, Camino de Vida, Lima, Peru

2018-06-18T12:16:26-05:00

ROBERT BARRIGER
Lead Pastor, Camino de Vida, Lima, Peru

People won’t line up to be judged, but they might line up to be loved. Judging people is a terrible evangelism method. Today, the world is hurting. Jesus loves the world, Jesus died for this world, and Jesus can heal hurting people in the world. Heaven is real. Serve Your City is a book about bringing Jesus to a hurting world. How can we earn the right to be heard? By showing the world we care.
Dino Rizzo is one of my dearest friends and an incredible man. The second you connect with Dino in any context, it’s clear that his passion is people, and it’s contagious. Serve Your City is a compelling, challenging and inspiring guide to taking church beyond the four walls of a building and make an eternal impact in your community. Not only will this book refuel your passion for reaching people, it also gives practical principles and methods you can put into practice for an immediate impact.

JOHN SIEBELING
Lead Pastor, The Life Church, Cordova, Tennessee

2018-06-18T12:11:21-05:00

JOHN SIEBELING
Lead Pastor, The Life Church, Cordova, Tennessee

Dino Rizzo is one of my dearest friends and an incredible man. The second you connect with Dino in any context, it’s clear that his passion is people, and it’s contagious. Serve Your City is a compelling, challenging and inspiring guide to taking church beyond the four walls of a building and make an eternal impact in your community. Not only will this book refuel your passion for reaching people, it also gives practical principles and methods you can put into practice for an immediate impact.
As an urban church planter, pioneering and pastoring in what’s currently referred to as “the most unchurched city in America,” I often find myself scratching my head and wondering, 'How in the world do I unlock the heart of my city so I can reach more people for Jesus?' Like a key, this book will help you unlock the heart of your city, and it will also help you unlock the potential of your church. Serve Your City is the perfect reminder that great churches aren’t simply built by good preaching or good programming, but by stooping down into the brokenness of humanity through serving, loving and caring for people as we share the life-changing message of Jesus.

JASON LAIRD
Lead Pastor, Sozo Church, San Francisco, California

2018-06-18T12:10:39-05:00

JASON LAIRD
Lead Pastor, Sozo Church, San Francisco, California

As an urban church planter, pioneering and pastoring in what’s currently referred to as “the most unchurched city in America,” I often find myself scratching my head and wondering, 'How in the world do I unlock the heart of my city so I can reach more people for Jesus?' Like a key, this book will help you unlock the heart of your city, and it will also help you unlock the potential of your church. Serve Your City is the perfect reminder that great churches aren’t simply built by good preaching or good programming, but by stooping down into the brokenness of humanity through serving, loving and caring for people as we share the life-changing message of Jesus.
I have had a front seat in Dino Rizzo’s life for over 20 years. I know of no one who is more qualified to help hurting and marginalized people than him. His heart to help people in a tangible way exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. His new book, Serve Your City, is thoughtful, practical and even humorous about living the life God intends for all of us—a life that actually realizes its potential, a life that’s open handed and open hearted, always ready to serve. Every business leader, pastor, missionary, student or anyone wanting to serve their city, state, and nation should read this book then simply take the next step. Your cities and communities will be forever changed.

LEE DOMINGUE
Founder, Kingdom Builders
Author of Pearls of the King
Associate Pastor, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama

2018-06-18T12:21:45-05:00

LEE DOMINGUE
Founder, Kingdom Builders
Author of Pearls of the King
Associate Pastor, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama

I have had a front seat in Dino Rizzo’s life for over 20 years. I know of no one who is more qualified to help hurting and marginalized people than him. His heart to help people in a tangible way exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. His new book, Serve Your City, is thoughtful, practical and even humorous about living the life God intends for all of us—a life that actually realizes its potential, a life that’s open handed and open hearted, always ready to serve. Every business leader, pastor, missionary, student or anyone wanting to serve their city, state, and nation should read this book then simply take the next step. Your cities and communities will be forever changed.
Pastor Dino Rizzo has again written a masterpiece on the heart of God. In Serve Your City, he encourages us to do more than just talk about the gospel, but to model it as we share it. He reminds us that Jesus cared for the physical needs of people as He preached and taught them. That’s the model for our ministry, too. This book is a must-read for all church leaders.

BENNY PEREZ
Lead Pastor, Church LV, Las Vegas, Nevada

2018-06-18T12:22:35-05:00

BENNY PEREZ
Lead Pastor, Church LV, Las Vegas, Nevada

Pastor Dino Rizzo has again written a masterpiece on the heart of God. In Serve Your City, he encourages us to do more than just talk about the gospel, but to model it as we share it. He reminds us that Jesus cared for the physical needs of people as He preached and taught them. That’s the model for our ministry, too. This book is a must-read for all church leaders.
Serve Your City—I absolutely love the title, the message and the man who wrote this book. I believe the church needs this message more than any time in history, and I know no one more qualified to champion it than Dino Rizzo!

DAVID L. MEYER
CEO, Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministry

2018-06-18T12:24:03-05:00

DAVID L. MEYER
CEO, Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministry

Serve Your City—I absolutely love the title, the message and the man who wrote this book. I believe the church needs this message more than any time in history, and I know no one more qualified to champion it than Dino Rizzo!
I truly believe that Dino Rizzo has been given a backstage pass into the heart of God. He has a clear message of how to demonstrate the gospel through living beyond yourself. Serve Your City will inspire you to go far beyond experiencing God’s love for yourself, so you and your church become the tangible evidence of that love through serving people in need. I am a witness that the principles and strategies shared in the pages of this transformative book can revolutionize a city!

JIMMY ROLLINS
Lead Pastor, i5 Church, Odenton, Maryland

2018-06-18T12:12:44-05:00

JIMMY ROLLINS
Lead Pastor, i5 Church, Odenton, Maryland

I truly believe that Dino Rizzo has been given a backstage pass into the heart of God. He has a clear message of how to demonstrate the gospel through living beyond yourself. Serve Your City will inspire you to go far beyond experiencing God’s love for yourself, so you and your church become the tangible evidence of that love through serving people in need. I am a witness that the principles and strategies shared in the pages of this transformative book can revolutionize a city!
Pastor Dino’s new book, Serve Your City, is a message to the heart of every leader. He powerfully engages the church to not just “go” but take a look at “how we’ll go” to engage more effectively in our communities, as we lovingly reach out to the disenfranchised, poor, overlooked and disadvantaged. The gospel means that we are all “sent ones.” This book will open your eyes and give you a clear strategy. Pastor Dino activates the church to not just tell of the Good News of Jesus, but to show it tangibly to those in our spheres of life and influence.

ANDI ANDREW
Co-Pastor, Liberty Church, New York, New York
Author of She Is Free; Learning the Truth About the Lies That Hold You Captive

2018-06-18T12:13:30-05:00

ANDI ANDREW
Co-Pastor, Liberty Church, New York, New York
Author of She Is Free; Learning the Truth About the Lies That Hold You Captive

Pastor Dino’s new book, Serve Your City, is a message to the heart of every leader. He powerfully engages the church to not just “go” but take a look at “how we’ll go” to engage more effectively in our communities, as we lovingly reach out to the disenfranchised, poor, overlooked and disadvantaged. The gospel means that we are all “sent ones.” This book will open your eyes and give you a clear strategy. Pastor Dino activates the church to not just tell of the Good News of Jesus, but to show it tangibly to those in our spheres of life and influence.
Dino Rizzo is uniquely qualified to write this life-transforming book about impacting our communities for Christ. His heart of compassion has been demonstrated by the tangible mobilization of God’s people to be a fruitful presence of Jesus in the cities of our nation and world. Our planet is desperate for a gospel that is portrayed through our faith, hope and love, lived out in both word and action. Dino describes how we can live missional lives that will open our eyes, break our hearts, and affect destiny by following the life that Jesus intended for all of us.

ROB HOSKINS
President, OneHope Inc., Pampano Beach, Florida

2018-06-18T12:12:01-05:00

ROB HOSKINS
President, OneHope Inc., Pampano Beach, Florida

Dino Rizzo is uniquely qualified to write this life-transforming book about impacting our communities for Christ. His heart of compassion has been demonstrated by the tangible mobilization of God’s people to be a fruitful presence of Jesus in the cities of our nation and world. Our planet is desperate for a gospel that is portrayed through our faith, hope and love, lived out in both word and action. Dino describes how we can live missional lives that will open our eyes, break our hearts, and affect destiny by following the life that Jesus intended for all of us.
Those who have had the greatest impact in my life are not the ones who speak great sermons but who display God's love and power in their everyday life.  The life-changing principles shared in this book will transform you, not because Dino speaks them, but because he has lived them! Dino continues to make a difference in the lives of everyone who steps into his path. If there was only one book you could choose to motivate you to live like Jesus, this would be the one! Dino, thank you for inspiring us all.

 

MARC ESTES
Lead Pastor, City Bible Church, Portland, Oregon
President, Portland Bible College
President, CBC Global Family

2018-06-18T12:20:05-05:00

MARC ESTES
Lead Pastor, City Bible Church, Portland, Oregon
President, Portland Bible College
President, CBC Global Family

Those who have had the greatest impact in my life are not the ones who speak great sermons but who display God's love and power in their everyday life.  The life-changing principles shared in this book will transform you, not because Dino speaks them, but because he has lived them! Dino continues to make a difference in the lives of everyone who steps into his path. If there was only one book you could choose to motivate you to live like Jesus, this would be the one! Dino, thank you for inspiring us all.  
Pastor Dino is truly one of a kind. He’s a man that models what it looks like to be generous to all people. He genuinely sees their God-given potential and is willing to invest all that he can to bring out the very best in them. This book is an example of Pastor Dino’s large heart for people. I hope you will lean into the message of this book, focus on every word, take notes, and really learn from a man who has lived this message.

CHAD VEACH
Lead Pastor, Zoe Church, Los Angeles, California

2018-06-18T11:55:34-05:00

CHAD VEACH
Lead Pastor, Zoe Church, Los Angeles, California

Pastor Dino is truly one of a kind. He’s a man that models what it looks like to be generous to all people. He genuinely sees their God-given potential and is willing to invest all that he can to bring out the very best in them. This book is an example of Pastor Dino’s large heart for people. I hope you will lean into the message of this book, focus on every word, take notes, and really learn from a man who has lived this message.
We have all heard the old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.” But in Serve Your City, my friend Dino Rizzo reminds us that if we are going to FINISH the Great Commission that Jesus called us to in Matthew 28, we must get outside the walls of the church and “go and make disciples . . .” For too long, the church has bottled up our blessings within the confines of the beautiful structures we have erected, but Jesus has commissioned us to be a church that announces and demonstrates His love in the streets, in the coffee shops, in the classroom, and in the local business. Thanks, Pastor Dino, for reminding us that the church needs to leave the building!

DR. TIM HILL
Church of God General Overseer, Cleveland, Tennessee

2018-06-18T12:17:16-05:00

DR. TIM HILL
Church of God General Overseer, Cleveland, Tennessee

We have all heard the old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.” But in Serve Your City, my friend Dino Rizzo reminds us that if we are going to FINISH the Great Commission that Jesus called us to in Matthew 28, we must get outside the walls of the church and “go and make disciples . . .” For too long, the church has bottled up our blessings within the confines of the beautiful structures we have erected, but Jesus has commissioned us to be a church that announces and demonstrates His love in the streets, in the coffee shops, in the classroom, and in the local business. Thanks, Pastor Dino, for reminding us that the church needs to leave the building!
Dino Rizzo is the right man with the right mandate to proclaim and demonstrate the message of Christ to our world. We value the life and leadership of Dino to get the church beyond its walls to serve our communities. It’s time to throw them the rope of hope in tangible ways. Thank God for Dino showing us and telling us how to take the gospel to the streets!

PHIL MUNSEY
Chairman, Champions Network of Churches Under Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas

2018-06-18T12:09:26-05:00

PHIL MUNSEY
Chairman, Champions Network of Churches Under Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas

Dino Rizzo is the right man with the right mandate to proclaim and demonstrate the message of Christ to our world. We value the life and leadership of Dino to get the church beyond its walls to serve our communities. It’s time to throw them the rope of hope in tangible ways. Thank God for Dino showing us and telling us how to take the gospel to the streets!
The fringe. Everyone knows what it’s like to be the one out on the fringe; feeling unloved or unlovable, flawed, having made one too many mistakes, and yet, we’ve been brought close to The One who embraces outcasts like myself. Pastor Dino Rizzo is one who speaks with such heart and candor about reawakening the Church’s role in not losing touch with those out on the fringe. Beware! This book will reawaken your own story and remind you of our original purpose in the Church which is to reach others.

DIANNA NEPSTAD
Co-Lead Pastor, Fellowship Church, Antioch, California

2018-06-18T12:23:11-05:00

DIANNA NEPSTAD
Co-Lead Pastor, Fellowship Church, Antioch, California

The fringe. Everyone knows what it’s like to be the one out on the fringe; feeling unloved or unlovable, flawed, having made one too many mistakes, and yet, we’ve been brought close to The One who embraces outcasts like myself. Pastor Dino Rizzo is one who speaks with such heart and candor about reawakening the Church’s role in not losing touch with those out on the fringe. Beware! This book will reawaken your own story and remind you of our original purpose in the Church which is to reach others.
The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” I have known Pastor Dino Rizzo for over 30 years and have seen how he has led himself and others to live out this message on a daily basis. In Serve Your City, he shares practical steps from real experience for leading your team into a loving relationship with your community. As we live out this command from Jesus, we have a choice to either spend our lives on ourselves or with Jesus on others. Thank you, Dino, for writing a book that challenges us as leaders and gives us tools to meet that challenge.

ROB KETTERLING
Lead Pastor, River Valley Church, Apple Valley, Minnesota

2018-06-18T12:20:55-05:00

ROB KETTERLING
Lead Pastor, River Valley Church, Apple Valley, Minnesota

The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” I have known Pastor Dino Rizzo for over 30 years and have seen how he has led himself and others to live out this message on a daily basis. In Serve Your City, he shares practical steps from real experience for leading your team into a loving relationship with your community. As we live out this command from Jesus, we have a choice to either spend our lives on ourselves or with Jesus on others. Thank you, Dino, for writing a book that challenges us as leaders and gives us tools to meet that challenge.
Dino Rizzo has been a friend who has inspired me for the last twenty years. I’ve never met someone with more compassion for those who are hurting, and I’ve watched God use him in amazing ways to make a difference. In Serve Your City, not only will you be inspired to a greater love for the people in your community, but you’ll also learn how to grow a culture of compassion to serve your community with that love.

GREG SURRATT
President, Association of Related Churches
Founding Pastor, Seacoast Church, Charleston, South Carolina

2018-06-18T12:18:17-05:00

GREG SURRATT
President, Association of Related Churches
Founding Pastor, Seacoast Church, Charleston, South Carolina

Dino Rizzo has been a friend who has inspired me for the last twenty years. I’ve never met someone with more compassion for those who are hurting, and I’ve watched God use him in amazing ways to make a difference. In Serve Your City, not only will you be inspired to a greater love for the people in your community, but you’ll also learn how to grow a culture of compassion to serve your community with that love.
The heart of God is for the lost and the least, not one or the other. In Serve Your City, Pastor Dino connects the dots to show how churches can demonstrate compassion by providing tangible resources to hurting people. When the church reaches out to help the lost and the least, it gains more credibility and people’s hearts are opened to receive the good news of Jesus. This is the model of ministry Jesus used. It’s powerful, effective and it will change churches, cities, states, and the world!

HERBERT COOPER
Senior Pastor, People’s Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Author of But God Changes Everything

2018-06-18T12:14:05-05:00

HERBERT COOPER
Senior Pastor, People’s Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Author of But God Changes Everything

The heart of God is for the lost and the least, not one or the other. In Serve Your City, Pastor Dino connects the dots to show how churches can demonstrate compassion by providing tangible resources to hurting people. When the church reaches out to help the lost and the least, it gains more credibility and people’s hearts are opened to receive the good news of Jesus. This is the model of ministry Jesus used. It’s powerful, effective and it will change churches, cities, states, and the world!
For over two decades, I’ve watched my friend Dino Rizzo model the love of Jesus by what he says as well as what he does. In Serve Your City, Dino inspires us all to balance our words and our deeds with the same inseparable alignment we see in the ministry of Christ. Both challenging and encouraging, this book reminds us that compassion isn’t secondary to our mission—it’s essential.

CHRIS HODGES
Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama
Author of Fresh Air and The Daniel Dilemma

2018-06-18T12:05:06-05:00

CHRIS HODGES
Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama
Author of Fresh Air and The Daniel Dilemma

For over two decades, I’ve watched my friend Dino Rizzo model the love of Jesus by what he says as well as what he does. In Serve Your City, Dino inspires us all to balance our words and our deeds with the same inseparable alignment we see in the ministry of Christ. Both challenging and encouraging, this book reminds us that compassion isn’t secondary to our mission—it’s essential.

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About the Author

Dino Rizzo serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches), an organization he co-founded which has planted hundreds of churches across the country. He is also the author of the book Servolution. In 1992, Dino and his wife DeLynn founded Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a church they pastored for twenty years. Today, Dino also serves as an Associate Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham. Dino and DeLynn have three incredible children.

Look for more resources from the ARC How-To Series coming soon!