The Life and Legacy of
Dr Howard John Ridings
My Personal Mission Statement...
"I am helping to change my world by
expressing and sharing
the love of Jesus with everyone I meet. "
The late Dr. Howard Ridings accepted Jesus Christ as a boy in Auckland, New Zealand, the country of his birth. At the age of eight, he felt called into the ministry and had the impression that one day he would marry an American girl and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in America. Both seemed impossible! The impressions were of God as Pastor Harvey Ferrell and his family, which included Rosella, moved to Auckland, New Zealand, to pastor First Assembly of God church. A year and a half later Reverend Ridings married his American wife, Rosella. They ministered not only in New Zealand and the United States, but around the world into twenty-seven countries preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Ridings graduated from Northcote College, Auckland, New Zealand and attended Commonwealth Bible College in Brisbane, Australia. He was ordained by the Assemblies of God in Auckland, New Zealand, and served as Associate Pastor to Pastor Ferrell.
While under missionary appointment to Asia for the Assemblies of God, Howard and Rosella began a Youth and Literature Ministry in Singapore. Thousands of young people attended the Youth Rallies, Camps, Bible Clubs and Crusades with many accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. There were 29,000 students enrolled in the International Correspondence School in both English and Chinese languages, which is still reaching the people of Singapore with the gospel.
Following four years in Singapore the Ridings moved to Hong Kong and served as pastors of the International English Service (church), an exciting ministry that grew from approximately 75 in attendance to over 500 in less than two years and presently has over 5,000 in attendance.
Following his return to the United States, Gulf Coast Seminary bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree upon him for his outstanding missionary ministry in the Far East. Along with Bishop Houston Miles and several other pastors, Evangel Fellowship International was formed with which he held ministerial credentials, served on the Board of Elders and as the Presbyter of Florida.
Dr. Howard and Rosella founded and pastored the Panama City Christian Center, an interdenominational charismatic ministry in Panama City, Florida, for fifteen years. They then moved to Spartanburg, SC, to work with Bishop Houston Miles at Evangel Cathedral. The Ridings served in several capacities with both he and Rosella working with Evangel Fellowship International, a fellowship of ministers and churches.
After an invitation from Steve and Joy Strang, the Ridings moved to Orlando, Florida, to work for Strang Communications with The Strang's. Howard served as Director of Ministry Developments and President of Christian Life Missions, as well as pastor to the approximately 200 staff members. Rosella served as Director of Special Events, directing all of the conferences, as well as many other activities. Both ministered as they traveled to churches and conferences throughout the United States and abroad.
During this time the need for a church in the city of Orlando was presented to The Ridings, followed by the establishing of Heart of Orlando Worship Center. At the time of his death he was the much-loved pastor! Following his death, his wife and co-pastor became the senior pastor.
Dr. Ridings was honored to work as chaplain with the Sheriffs Department in every city he lived, giving support and assistance as needed to the police. He really loved serving as chaplain!
The Ridings have a son, Howard Dean, born in the US, and a daughter, Rosella Denae, born in Singapore.
April 17th, 2008, Dr. Howard Ridings went to be with his Lord and Savior after living a fulfilled life serving God around the world, loving his family and his church family.
He will always be remembered as a God- loving-giving man of God.
INTERESTING & Fun Information about Pastor Ridings
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Born in New Zealand. -- married an American girl -- in New Zealand
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Traveled and preached around the World
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Dearly loved watches and clocks
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Put a miniature rattle snake in his pocket in Australia. (NZ doesn't have snakes.)
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Drove his Volkswagen inside a grocery store at midnight
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Loved American cars
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Made the front page of the Lakeland newspaper -- Didn't know about fire ants until he was bitten and simulated a heart attack
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Loved working with the police, especially riding in the car with them
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Dearly loved Rosella -- never let her put gas in her car
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Dearly loved his son Dean and daughter Denae
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Dearly loved his chosen country of America
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Most of all he loved serving Jesus Christ and sharing the love of God with every one he met.