UCG Thanks Rick Shabi for Three Years of Presidency

In March 2025 the Council of Elders made the decision to transition to a new leader to serve as president of United Church of God (UCG). The Church would like to thank Rick and Deborah Shabi for their service to the Church during his presidency.

Mr. Shabi served as UCG treasurer for eight years prior to his role as president. Ordained an elder in 2000 while serving in the Indianapolis church, he and his wife relocated to northern Florida in 2004 and served in that area until he moved to Ohio to serve as president. Now that he has completed his term, he will be returning to assist Richard Kennebeck in pastoring the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida congregations.

During his tenure as president, Mr. Shabi contributed much to the work of the Church, including his video series, A Biblical Worldview, and numerous international conferences, helping connect our brethren and leadership around the world.

One of these international visits, which focused on helping the Italian brethren rebuild after a recent division, was particularly memorable for the members in that country, who wished to share comments of appreciation, several of which we feature here.

Enzo Alfieri and Margherita:

“Your mission in Italy, with the help and important partici-
pation of Michael Caputo and 
Aaron Dean, was of great and 
valuable LOVE, both human and spiritual . . . whenever you and your wife Deborah want, you will always be . . . our welcome guests.”

Giovanni Troisi:

“We cannot forget the commitment, dedication, sacrifices and love that you have poured into rebuilding the work in Italy. 
You were a man of your word, completing what you proposed, until the end, despite all the difficulties, but fully confident in God’s inspiration, and in the gift that He has given you to understand and empathize with people.”

Giovanni, Grazia and Jessica Faraone:

“It is a common feeling in Italy and I also confirm it: you were the right man at the right time. God worked through you to keep God’s Church in Italy alive.”

Cinzia Lavagnolo:

“I would like to express all my gratitude to you and your wife, whose silent but active support I have greatly appreciated, for the loving commitment you have had for our Italian church.”

Beatrice Masullo:

“President Shabi is an excellent president and has played an important role for the Church in Italy. We are immensely grateful to God for putting him in the right place at the right time, because as God’s people we have been heard.”

Monica Orhian and Raoul:

“You are for us a great example of faith and dedication in our spiritual journey, as well as your very kind wife and our sister Deborah. We hope to be able to hug you again; to have the great gift of seeing you again if you have the opportunity to return to Italy.”

Giacinto Ferrisi:

“I also wanted to thank you especially for all the sermons and Bible studies, which you have done for the whole Church. They have opened my eyes and made me understand many things, especially about the prophecies of the last days.”

Lucrecia Petrich:

“I thank the Eternal Father for the time in which President Shabi guided the people of God through the Holy Spirit, for all the help and support he gave us especially in the most difficult moments. We will continue to pray for you and your wife.”

The home office staff wish the Shabis all the best as they transition to a new chapter in their lives, and United Church of God thanks Mr. Shabi for his service as our president.