Rick George Kalal

Apr 7, 2014 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2014 | 0 comments

Rick Kalal was escorted home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early on the morning of April 3, 2014. Born July 21, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI, Rick found new birth in Jesus during his college years at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM) through the testimony of a praying friend, a Billy Graham Crusade, and the ministry of Elmbrook Church.

Rick graduated with a BS in Communications and Counseling, then continued his education at UWM with an MS in Counseling Psychology and Communications. Rick’s thirst for Bible knowledge led him to attend Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Trinity) from which he graduated Cum Laude with an MDiv in 1981. While Rick didn’t aspire to enter ministry, God had other plans and he soon joined the staff of Eastbrook Church where he served as a pastor and head of Adult Ministries for 19 years. Rick loved ministry, missions, magic, movies, meals, manuscripts (books), and people. One friend aptly shared about Rick, “I found him to be… full of grace, and a wonderful pastor, especially to people who are rough around the edges, and need a lot of grace. Our loss. His, and heaven’s gain.”

Rick said of his calling to ministry, “The burden of my heart is to see Christians become radically devoted to Jesus Christ, irrevocably committed to one another, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God’s family. I want to leave a mark that is not easily erased and to encourage and equip others to do the same.” Scores of laypeople would say that Rick fulfilled his ministry passion. Rick also served as Pastor of Adult Ministries at the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Knoxville, TN and as a volunteer Chaplain with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. His thirst for knowledge led him to receive a PhD in Education from Trinity in 2002.

Rick married Lorraine Frances Potter on April 14, 1996. He is survived by Lorraine, their two children Charlotte, 15, and Corinne, 11, his father Otto, his brother Gary, and many faithful friends and extended family – all who already miss his loving, wise, and humorous presence deeply.

Services to honor Rick will be held: Tuesday, April 8, 6 PM (refreshments to follow service), at The Baugh Center Chapel; Stonecroft Campus located at 10121 Grandview Rd., Kansas City, MO 64137.

A second memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 13, 5 PM visitation (service at 6 PM); Eastbrook Church, 5385 N Green Bay Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53209.

Donations can be sent to Stonecroft Ministries at Box 9609, Kansas City, MO 64134-0609 or here: www.stonecroft.org/donate

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