Physical sacrifices were a part of everyday life in Old Testament time. As you approached God, you came with an offering, whether it was a burnt offering, sin offering, trespass offering, peace offering, or grain offering. From the beginning of the Bible, dating back to Adam and Eve, God ordained sacrifice as a part of man’s relationship with Him. In New Testament times, the physical sacrifice of animals at a temple is no longer required, but the attitude of sacrifice—is it still something God looks to in us if we are to have a relationship with Him?

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.