UCG's Ex-Presdient Rick Shabi Has Died

From a UCG source: 

After the Council of Elders unceremoniously dumped Shabi as our President, things quickly went downhill healthwise for Shabi:

On July 21 this was posted:

Uptodate news on the health of Rick Shabi:

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2025 at 04:45:59 PM CDT

Subject: Prayer Request Update - Rick Shabi

Prayer Request Update - Rick Shabi

From Richard Kennebeck, pastor, Orlando/Jacksonville, FL:

“Brethren, thank you all for your earnest prayers and concern at this time.

Rick remains in a medically induced state of rest and is intubated. This assists his breathing and helps give his body a chance to rest and heal. The doctors feel this is best for his recovery during the next few days. Please continue to pray to our great and merciful Father for Rick’s healing and strengthening of his heart, along with comfort and strength for the family.

It is a slow recovery right now, and we will update you when we can. Until then, we deeply appreciate your fervent prayers.”

UCG's new President, Tim Pebworth said this on July 21:

This letter from the Chairman of United Church of God in regards to the health of former President and current Pastor Rick Shabi, a well beloved disciple of God.

From: "Office of the Chairman" <chairman@ucg.org>

To: "Tim Pebworth" <tim_pebworth@UCG.org>

Sent: Sun, Jul 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM

Subject: Letter from Chairman Pebworth – July 20, 2025

Dear members and families of the Body of Christ,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Council of Elders and President John Elliott (who is currently enroute to Sri Lanka), and asking for your prayers for former Church president, Rick Shabi.

He and his wife, Debbie, have relocated back to their home in Florida. They recently returned from vacation and are being welcomed back to the Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida congregations. However, Mr. Shabi suffered a heart attack following Sabbath services yesterday in Jacksonville. We are grateful to report that Mr. Shabi received timely medical attention at the church hall and was subsequently taken to a local hospital where he is receiving treatment. 

Since information has appeared on several forums in varying degrees, we would encourage members to review official prayer request updates coming out from the home office. Mrs. Shabi is providing those updates for us. 

We respect the Shabi’s family privacy in this matter, and Mr. Elliott will provide additional details as appropriate. Below is the latest update from Mrs. Shabi as communicated by Richard Kennebeck, pastor of the Orlando and Jacksonville congregations.

“Thank you for your continued prayers and concern for Rick. After suffering a major heart attack yesterday, his heart remains very weak, and his kidneys are struggling to keep up. If his condition worsens, he may need to be transferred to another facility for more advanced care. Rick remains confident that God is in control and has full faith in the outcome. He and his family deeply appreciate your prayers, love, and concern.”

As we read in Hebrews 4:16, this is a time when we can confidently come before the throne of God in a time of urgent need. Our God is indeed a God of mercy and healing, and we thank you in advance for your prayers.

Tim Pebworth

Chairman 

Yesterday (August 12) there was this update:

Update on Rick Shabi, former President of United Church of God  

 

Dear Brethren, 

 

Patrick Shabi asked me to send out this updated prayer request (8/12/2025 - 5:50 PM ET):

Dear Brethren, 

 

We once again thank you all for the prayers, cards, support, and concern that have been shown for Rick and our family. Rick was able to recover from the cough that was affecting his breathing; however, other complications have presented themselves since then. As a result, Rick has made the decision to stop further medical treatments and to put the situation into God’s hands, so that His will can be done. We will provide another update once more is known. In the meantime, we ask that you please pray for comfort and strength for Rick and family during this time. 

 

Please continue to pray for Rick and the family as they go through this serious time.

(This can be shared)

In Christ’s service, 

Richard Kennebeck, pastor Orlando and Jacksonville 

Today there was this:

Sad news to report! According to Rick Shabi's son, Rick has passed away, and will be sleeping until the 1st Resurrection. Here is the post from his Son, please pray for his family and friends, Rick was well loved and was a very great person, was a honor to meet him and get to know him!

From Patrick Shabi

Hello everyone,

I had the chance to speak with my dad the last few days regarding things on his mind and things he wanted shared. I’m not sure why that was preempted with another message, but I wanted to share them.

Dear Brethren,

It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Rick Shabi on August 13, 2025 at the age of 71. He lived what he believed and preached up to the very end, when he made the decision to stop all medical treatment and allow God to do His will.

We once again thank everyone for the cards, the support, and especially the prayers for Rick during this trial. Rick was aware of all the prayers and love that were shown for him and our family and said he was deeply humbled by that. He wanted everyone to know that he wasn’t fearful of death because he knew what awaited him and everyone else through the resurrections. He looks forward to that time, when he can serve under God and also with all of you as kings and priests in God’s Kingdom.

Further announcements will be made in the future. For now, we ask for prayers of comfort and time to mourn him, as he will be truly missed. It is at times like this that certain Bible verses, verses we’ve read or heard time and time again, begin to take on new meaning and importance.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?

We understand that this stings for many of you just as it stings us tremendously. However, like Rick demonstrated before he died, we know that the sting of this death is only temporary. We are assured of that through the hope we have through Jesus Christ’s resurrection and promise of His return. Rick is now at rest and asleep, awaiting this promise, like those that have come before him and those that will come after.

Like all of us, Rick was a stranger and exile on the Earth; however, that is no more. He now awaits his true homeland, that heavenly country in which he so strongly believed and for which he so strongly desired when he was alongside all of us.