'Eternal influence'

COEUR d’ALENE — Lindsay Lewis grew up in Kellogg and did not look forward to Sunday church services.

The sermons seemed geared toward an older congregation, nothing the high schooler and her sisters particularly enjoyed.

“Our parents were dragging us there every week,” she said.

Then, a friend suggested they try Lake City Community Church in Coeur d’Alene. It was newer, perhaps 5 years old, with a lead pastor whose sermons they might enjoy.

So her parents drove them there.

Lewis was surprised. She liked it.

“The sermons, the leadership, you could just see it was a huge change from anything we were used to,” she said.

The lead pastor they heard from was Mike Rima. His message of God, forgiveness and acceptance struck home.

For years afterward, Lewis, family and friends continued to make that weekly 40-mile drive each Sunday. 

She believes if they hadn’t visited Lake City Community Church that first time nearly 20 years ago and met Rima, her life would have taken a different path.

“He changed the way our lives went, spiritually,” Lewis said. “I’m super thankful for that.”

The Coeur d'Alene resident today said Rima remains in her eyes one of the best, most relatable preachers around.

“There’s no one better in the game than Mike Rima,” she said. “He helped shape my life.”

Rima appreciates such words. He arrived to lead Lake City Church when it opened its doors in February 2000, planted there by New Life Community Church.

Since, he has had what he called “a front-row seat to transformed lives.” Many who were running from God turned toward him.

“People come in, they really believe God is mad at them. They can’t believe God can forgive them,” Rima said.

He has seen many “engage on a journey of transformation to where they actually became a different person than they were when they first walked through the doors” of the church on Ramsey Road.

“It has been such a remarkable thing to watch,” Rima said Tuesday.

But as much as he’s treasured it, he recently resigned from his role at Lake City Community Church. It came to a point, he said, where “the season of providing leadership for this fellowship had come to a close.”

As he stood before the congregation to announce his decision Sunday, the place where he has delivered hundreds of sermons to thousands of people, he said his heart “was filled with gratitude.”

In the past 24 years, he said the church achieved what he hoped: create a safe place for people, regardless of where they were on their spiritual journey, to experience a God who is for them, not against them, to know the God who “has a purpose and plan for their life that is so much better than anything they can come up with on their own.”

He was grateful for the people who embodied a warm, welcoming, grace-filled environment from day one.

“There will be people in heaven because they did that,” Rima said.

The youthful and active 64-year-old isn’t done.

He’s accepted a post with Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that responds to disasters worldwide. It delivers food, hope and help through a variety of avenues

As the northwest-area director, he’ll focus his efforts on Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. He’ll travel, speak and continue to “engage on a journey to advance the mission of Jesus” of the faith-based Convoy of Hope.

“I’m passionate about their mission, about what they do, how they do it,” Rima said. 

He said there’s both sadness as he comes “to the end of a season and you’ve poured so much of your life into a place,” but excitement at opportunities ahead.

“I knew that I wasn’t done. I just knew for this season of my life I had fulfilled what God had asked me to do,” Rima said.

Lake City Community Church is one of Coeur d’Alene’s larger churches and Rima played a role in its growth.

“It has been such an honor and a joy to be able to serve this community and serve that fellowship,” he said. 

As word spread of Rima’s new path, many commented on social media regarding his influence.

“My life was forever changed as a result of his obedience and belief in me,” wrote Cole Oaks. 

“My life will forever be grateful for Pastor Mike Rima. What he spoke of, his commitment of teaching, his genuine care and his radiating faith will impact me forever,” wrote Tamara Simpson.

“I cannot begin to tell you the eternal influence that Pastor Mike had on my life,” wrote Byron Gerard.

Rima, who joined the ministry in 1983, and wife Roxanne have been married 40 years. He said emails and message of thanks have been coming in, for which he is grateful.

“I don’t think you really understand the impact you’re having, so it’s incredibly rewarding,” he said.

Rick Croyle, Lake City Community Church executive pastor, said Rima always wanted to create a safe place for all at church, help people examine their faith and take their next steps on their spiritual journey. He also wanted the church to be a presence outside the church doors and serve those in need.

Croyle said the church did just that.

“Mike discipled me on what it meant to be a follower of Christ,” Croyle said. 

He said Rima shares trust in God in a plain, direct manner that appeals to all ages.

“He made God accessible for a lot of people,” Croyle said.

Lewis shared similar comments.

She said Rima is a gifted speaker, someone whose stories somehow seem to apply to everyone listening and strengthen their faith.

Most, Lewis said, will never know of Rima’s true impact on those around him and how he shaped their lives.

“But I know it,” she said.