By Terra Avilla
You know, one of the best things about living in Susanville is bumping into genuinely good people, the kind who make this town feel like home.
And today, I want to talk about one of those fine folks – Pastor Rick Floyd over at Community Church.
Now, lots of you probably know Rick. He’s a Pastor, an Elder, and avid Pickle Ball player – you might have heard him preach or caught the church’s podcast.
But the Rick I know, and the one I appreciate so much, is just this incredibly down-to-earth guy. He’s funny, he’s humble, and he just makes you feel comfortable, you know? He’s a husband (and super loving towards his wife, Gwen!), a dad, and a “Papa” to his grandkids. Oh, did I mention he used to be my Courage Triathlon partner before I became too out of shape… I mean retired.
But here’s the thing that really makes Pastor Rick special to my family. He has literally watched my three girls grow up.
We’ve been going to Community Church for about twelve years now, and because my daughters just have to move and dance during worship, we always end up sitting right smack dab in the front row. Yep, direct line of sight to Pastor Rick.
Let’s be honest, if you’ve met me or my girls, words like “feral” or “rambunctious” might cross your mind – lovingly, of course! We’re… energetic. And for ten years, every time my kids start squirming, wiggling, or full-on dancing during the songs, who’s the first person I see crack a smile or let out a little laugh? Pastor Rick. Every single time.
He has never given me that look… you know the one. He’s never made me feel like I needed to wrestle them into stillness. He just smiles, like he gets it. Kids are kids! And that acceptance, that warmth, means the world to me, and I know he is not just like this with my family. He is like that with ALL KIDS.
It’s no wonder my girls absolutely adore him, and honestly, the feeling seems mutual. Seeing him interact with them, and all the kids at church, I really believe there’s no one better to help guide them as they learn about Christ. He just has that way about him.
And he’s such a giver! I remember writing about the awesome Awana program before and mentioning that seeing Pastor Rick (and maybe teasing him a bit) was a bonus. Well, that giving spirit shows up in little ways too, like how he buys Starbucks gift cards for all the VBS helpers every single year, just to say thanks. It’s thoughtful things like that.
So yes, Pastor Rick Floyd. He’s one of the big reasons why I love this place. He’s not just a pastor doing a job- he’s a genuine, funny, kind-hearted guy who invests in our families and makes Susanville feel that much warmer.
We’re lucky to have him and he is one of the reasons I (and my family) loves where we live.
