November 2008
Tall, lanky Rio Evans spent several years as a home builder “out in the real world” as
some people term it ~ out in the trenches of life, dealing with people as they are.
Then this high-energy man added to his degree in business administration to obtain
a university degree in Bible. After preaching for several other congregations
around the US, he has come to serve the church of Christ in Casa Grande as minister.
He speaks with an Oklahoma drawl in his voice, a gleam in his eye, and a love for the
Lord and others in his heart. His sermons are not great and lofty speeches. Rather
they are more like he is talking one-on-one to each person in the audience. He
freely uses a home-spun style of expressing great truths such as recent comments,
“The tongue can be a quarter pound of trouble!” and “Some people are willing to
bury the hatchet, but they leave the handle sticking out.”
Unique in his enthusiastic style of presenting lessons, the title of his first lesson was
“The Omega Factor.” He has begun a series on symbolism in the Bible in his Sunday
morning class, and on the Holy Spirit in his Sunday evening sermons.
“Of all the preachers I’ve heard over the years, he is the smartest and most humble
preacher I’ve ever heard,” says Richard Haddad. Members Bill and Phyllis Hall
agree together, “Rio has a sincere caring approach to his ministry. His messages
are direct, and bring God's Word into our everyday existence - and how we can best
apply it in our lives now.”
Evans had a weekly radio program called “Let the Bible Speak” for nine years, has
written weekly articles for the local news paper for as many years ~ both on the adult
level ~ as well as having directed vacation Bible schools for children for much of his
adult life. Eleven-year-old Kimberly Reames says about the new preacher, “He’s
really nice. He shakes my hand and already knows my name.” Friend Amber Upson,
also eleven, explains further, “We understand the way he talks because he means it
and it makes us more comforted.”
Seven mission trips to Liberia and the Republic of Guinea, both in West Africa, have
provided Evans with opportunities to meet with his postal Bible students. He has
been heavily involved in teaching several hundred World Bible School
correspondence course students in both countries and followed up with many in
person. He has also preached for congregations of the churches of Christ in
Colorado, Texas, and Alabama.
Wife, Naoma, declares that people sometimes have a hard time keeping up with her
husband, but they apparently enjoy trying.
Member Jeanne Martin declares, “He’s so easy to get to know. And his wife is so
sweet.” Long-time member Jerry Odom observes, “He has an uncanny ability to
remember names and faces. He relates well to all ages and positions.” Grandson
Jake Odom adds, “You can understand him real well. He explains everything real
well.”
Tall, lanky Rio Evans spent several years as a home builder “out in the real world” as
some people term it ~ out in the trenches of life, dealing with people as they are.
Then this high-energy man added to his degree in business administration to obtain
a university degree in Bible. After preaching for several other congregations
around the US, he has come to serve the church of Christ in Casa Grande as minister.
He speaks with an Oklahoma drawl in his voice, a gleam in his eye, and a love for the
Lord and others in his heart. His sermons are not great and lofty speeches. Rather
they are more like he is talking one-on-one to each person in the audience. He
freely uses a home-spun style of expressing great truths such as recent comments,
“The tongue can be a quarter pound of trouble!” and “Some people are willing to
bury the hatchet, but they leave the handle sticking out.”
Unique in his enthusiastic style of presenting lessons, the title of his first lesson was
“The Omega Factor.” He has begun a series on symbolism in the Bible in his Sunday
morning class, and on the Holy Spirit in his Sunday evening sermons.
“Of all the preachers I’ve heard over the years, he is the smartest and most humble
preacher I’ve ever heard,” says Richard Haddad. Members Bill and Phyllis Hall
agree together, “Rio has a sincere caring approach to his ministry. His messages
are direct, and bring God's Word into our everyday existence - and how we can best
apply it in our lives now.”
Evans had a weekly radio program called “Let the Bible Speak” for nine years, has
written weekly articles for the local news paper for as many years ~ both on the adult
level ~ as well as having directed vacation Bible schools for children for much of his
adult life. Eleven-year-old Kimberly Reames says about the new preacher, “He’s
really nice. He shakes my hand and already knows my name.” Friend Amber Upson,
also eleven, explains further, “We understand the way he talks because he means it
and it makes us more comforted.”
Seven mission trips to Liberia and the Republic of Guinea, both in West Africa, have
provided Evans with opportunities to meet with his postal Bible students. He has
been heavily involved in teaching several hundred World Bible School
correspondence course students in both countries and followed up with many in
person. He has also preached for congregations of the churches of Christ in
Colorado, Texas, and Alabama.
Wife, Naoma, declares that people sometimes have a hard time keeping up with her
husband, but they apparently enjoy trying.
Member Jeanne Martin declares, “He’s so easy to get to know. And his wife is so
sweet.” Long-time member Jerry Odom observes, “He has an uncanny ability to
remember names and faces. He relates well to all ages and positions.” Grandson
Jake Odom adds, “You can understand him real well. He explains everything real
well.”
RIO EVANS
Minister
Minister
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