Rick Andrew

Biography

Rick Andrew is a teaching pastor at Redeemer Church and pastors the church’s International Campus in the heart of Utica, NY. Raised in Portland, Oregon, he received his theological training at Portland Bible College. It was there that he began to feel a call to take the Gospel to people in other nations. After spending two years in Japan, he joined the ministry team at Redeemer, where he has served for fourteen years. His wife, Clarissa, is from Brazil. She was also serving in the ministry when Rick met her there on a mission trip. Making their home in Utica, they have been married for ten years and have two children. Both church and mission field, the International Campus coordinates assistance and outreaches to various refugee and immigrant groups settling in Utica and holds worship services in Burmese, Nepali and Spanish.

Who I Am

What a great life I have--fantastic family & friends, wonderful wife, precocious kids, a dialed-in church, a job I love, and a real relationship with the One who made it all and gives it all purpose and meaning. And all this is in a country with far more freedom, prosperity, peace and safety then most people in the world are blessed to enjoy. I love learning and teaching, reading and writing, language and culture, travel, coffee, music, the great outdoors, and playing Legos ® with our kids...not necessarily in that order.

What I Do

We only get one life. Better to use it than waste it. Utica, "the Town That Loves Refugees," is filled with opportunities to help make the world a better place--one life at a time. With this in mind, Redeemer Church has made it a priority to reach out and engage with the local international community. Currently my wife and I serve as the International Campus pastors. We have Sunday services in Burmese and Nepali and are building something in Spanish. In addition to worship services, we offer several practical assistance programs as well. We are honored to work together with an outstanding team of pastors and volunteers from each of our four language groups.