As war wages in Ukraine, our hearts go out to those who have been heartlessly displaced, had loved ones killed, and whose lives have been forever altered. We marvel at the insensitivity displayed by the aggressor nation and its leader. We see humanity at its worst in this war. Without God in our lives, left to our own devices and the machinations of our hearts, human nature, we are witnessing in this war the very dark and ugly side of human nature. How could one human being do this to another? How far down can humans go? And could we ever create or cause a war? There are things to think about as we examine the cause of wars and fights.

Rick Shabi

President, United Church of God

Rick Shabi was ordained an elder in 2000, and relocated to northern Florida in 2004. He attended Ambassador College and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in Accounting. After enjoying a rewarding career in corporate and local hospital finance and administration, he became a pastor in January 2011. Since then, he and his wife Deborah have served in the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, churches. Rick served as the Treasurer for the United Church of God from 2013–2022, and was named President in May 2022.