Atascadero pastor celebrates 25 years at Atascadero First Assembly of God

Atascadero News photo courtesy of Phyllis Comstock • Rick Comstock and his wife of 37 years, Phyllis, celebrate the anniversary and Rick's 25-year anniversary at Atascadero First Assembly of God this month.

ATASCADERO — August marks Pastor Rick Comstock’s first 25 years preaching the word of God at Atscadero Assembly of God.

Rick’s wife of 37 years, Phyllis Comstock, said Rick got the posting after 10 years at at Assembly of God in Arroyo Grande, so his 25 years in Atascadero are part of 35 total years in ministry.

“My husband is a man who is very passionate about people,” Phyllis said. “He loves people, he loves the word of God, he loves translating and giving that to the people every Sunday, that is probably his greatest passion, preaching. And he does it very very very well. But mainly, he just loves people and it’s evident in his dealings with people and his work with Atascadero Police Department as a chaplain.”

Rick took up that extra position in January. Phyllis said that her husband gets called out to emergencies at all hours, but that he takes it in stride and remains ultra-focused on helping people.

Norma Gibbons, an Assembly of God member — and staffer — for more than 40 years, said she remembers well when Rick was hired.

“When he came and tried out at our church, he was voted in unanimously and has been there ever since,” Gibbons said. “Everybody was very impressed with the way he spoke, they just liked the way his ministry went that day.”

According to Gibbons, he’s the longest-running pastor the church has ever had. Second place was there a mere 14 years.

And in all his time there, Gibbons said he’s changed remarkably little.

“He doesn’t have a lot of lines on his face, he still looks so young,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s got white hair now, because he didn’t have that when he first came.”

“The future holds whatever God wants us to do,” Phyllis said. “Right now, our plans are to stay put. Rick’s very established in the community. He’s often — frequently — asked to perform weddings and funerals by folks from every walk of life. It takes time for that to be established. It’s something to be valued and not to be taken lightly.”

For more information on Rick Comstock, attend Sunday morning worship at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 5545 Ardilla Ave. in Atascadero, or go to www.atascaderofirst.com or call 466-2626.