“Church is really a longevity sport.” With that simple but profound statement, Pastor Peter Haas of Substance Church captured a truth that every leader eventually learns: growth takes time, faith, and resilience.
In a recent episode of Unscripted, Pastors Dino and DeLynn Rizzo sat down with Peter and Carolyn Haas, along with Executive Pastor Nate Puccini, for an honest conversation about perseverance, creativity, and leadership. Their story is one of waiting, believing, and building something that lasts.
A Story of Perseverance
Substance Church, one of the earliest ARC Churches (plant number fifteen), was founded in Minneapolis, one of the most unchurched cities in the country. Before Substance found its permanent home, eight different building opportunities fell through. Each disappointment could have been the end of the story, but Peter and Carolyn chose to keep showing up and believing that what God began, He would complete.
That kind of endurance resonated with Dino Rizzo, Executive Director of ARC and founder of Servolution. For decades, Rizzo has encouraged pastors to remain faithful during seasons of waiting. “You can’t build anything that lasts if you’re not willing to stay through the process,” he said during the episode.
The story of Substance Church reminds leaders that sometimes the miracle is not in what happens overnight but in what grows slowly, one decision and one prayer at a time.
The Long Game of Ministry
When Peter Haas describes ministry as a longevity sport, he is not talking only about endurance but also about health. He compared ministry to a marathon rather than a sprint. Longevity, he said, comes from rhythm, rest, and relationships that keep leaders grounded.
Dino Rizzo agreed, emphasizing that ministry longevity requires connection. Through ARC, pastors and leaders find a community of relationships that help them keep running their race. It is the foundation of ARC’s mission: to see a thriving, healthy church in every community.
“When leaders stay connected,” Rizzo said, “they stay healthy. And when they stay healthy, their churches thrive.”
Leading Together
Peter and Carolyn Haas also shared what it looks like to lead together as a married couple. Their honesty about conflict, teamwork, and shared purpose reminded listeners that leadership is not about perfection but about commitment.
“Ministry doesn’t just grow a church; it grows you,” Carolyn said. “We’ve learned that you can’t lead people well if you’re not learning to love each other through it.”
That transparency is part of what makes Substance Church’s story resonate. It is not only a story of growth but also a story of grace.
Encouragement for Every Leader
Whether someone is planting a church, leading a team, or navigating a difficult season, the message from Unscripted is the same: stay faithful, stay humble, and stay connected.
For Dino Rizzo, longevity is not about lasting for the sake of endurance but about finishing well. “There will always be challenges,” he said, “but God rewards consistency. If you keep showing up, He’ll keep showing up too.”
About Dino Rizzo
Dino Rizzo, a 40-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 Executive Director 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.
