How Dino Rizzo Defines True Success in Ministry (Hint: It’s Not Attendance Numbers)
When most people think about success in ministry, their minds often go to large crowds, growing campuses, or impressive numbers. But Pastor Dino Rizzo—after decades of pastoring, planting churches, and coaching leaders—sees success through a very different lens.
Success Isn’t About Numbers
Having served in ministry for nearly 40 years and now as Executive Pastor at Church of the Highlands, Dino Rizzo has seen the highs and lows of church leadership. While he values momentum and impact, he is quick to remind leaders that true ministry success isn’t measured by attendance charts or budgets.
“Thank God for Easter and Mother’s Day. I love me some big moments,” he admits with a laugh. “But really, my joy is when I can get on the phone with a church planter, listen, encourage, and help them take their next step. That’s success.” 
For Rizzo, the integrity of ministry rests in how well leaders care for “the one.”
The Ministry of the One
Throughout his career, Dino Rizzo has carried a conviction that serving people individually carries eternal weight. Whether it’s reaching out to a single mom, praying with a struggling college student, or encouraging a discouraged pastor, he sees each encounter as a sacred opportunity.
“The integrity of ministry is how do you serve the one,” he says. Large gatherings matter, but if leaders lose sight of individuals, they miss the heart of ministry.
Staying Grounded in Humility
Another marker of success, according to Rizzo, is humility. He often reminds pastors that they are not the center of the story—Jesus is. “You didn’t invent bread,” he quips. “Get over yourself. Laugh at yourself. Be humble, be teachable, and be kind.” 
This humility frees leaders from chasing applause and allows them to stay focused on what really matters: loving people well and pointing them to Christ.
Longevity Over Flash
Flashes of success are one thing, but Dino Rizzo emphasizes longevity as the true test of ministry. Staying faithful through trials, disappointments, and seasons of discouragement speaks more than a moment of recognition ever could.
He has walked through burnout, personal challenges, and seasons of restoration, and yet his commitment remains: to keep showing up, keep serving, and keep cheering for the church. Success, he believes, is found in finishing strong.
Redefining Success
At the end of the day, Dino Rizzo defines ministry success not by how many people know your name, but by how many people you’ve loved. It’s not about being celebrated on platforms but about faithfulness in the unseen, everyday moments of service.
For pastors and leaders striving to make an impact, his encouragement is simple: when you don’t know what to do, love the people. That’s success.
About Dino Rizzo
Dino Rizzo, a 35-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored “Serve Your City.” Rizzo serves as the President of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1100 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands.
