Tony Cummings quizzed the prophetic worship singer/songwriter RICK PINO

Rick Pino

Rick Pino is an American worship leader and songwriter. But he's much more than that. He is the founder of Fire Rain Ministries, "a voice crying out" ministry which is "focused on equipping people for the restoration of the tabernacle of David, pressing towards day and night worship and prayer." A series of powerfully prophetic albums 'Weapons Of Warfare' (2005), 'Angel Of Awakening' (2007), 'The Undiscovered' (2008), 'Songs For An End Time Army' (2009) and 'The Narrow Road' (2010) have stirred the international worshipping church. Today Rick and his wife Lindsey and daughter Zoe live in the Dallas, Texas area. He took time out from his busy schedule to answer a batch of Cross Rhythms questions. We began by asking him about his early life.

"I am originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. I grew up in an amazing home with parents who loved (and still love) each other and the Lord. I have two amazing younger brothers. I've always loved music ever since I was a young boy. My first instrument was drums, then guitar, then the piano. I have always loved multi-cultural sounds as well so now I play all kinds of multi-cultural instruments like sitar, didgeridoo, native flutes and a few others. When it comes to music, I'm a jack of all trades but master of none. I grew up in church, but I don't think I really got 'saved' until about eight years ago. Then, I know this may sound funny, but I got re-saved about four years ago. Kind of like when Keith Green had his 'born again-again' experience."

Even in his early years Rick felt a very strong call from God on his life. He recounted, "I've always had a massive sense of the destiny that God has put on my life. Even when I was a little boy when people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would tell them that I was different and that I would have a job that no one had ever heard of. Ha ha. I didn't know what that job would be and had never even thought about it involving worship. Even from a young age, something kept telling my heart that I was created for greatness."

Doors began to open for the young worship leader. Said Rick, "Like everyone else who led any worship in the late '90s, I sang a lot of songs by Darrell Evans. However, I would always try and push the limits and sing out of my heart, or lead songs from a drum or a didgeridoo or whatever would push the envelope of the 'normal'. My biggest influence in worship besides the Holy Spirit is Kevin Prosch, hands down. He has always been my favourite. I remember being about 11 or 12 years old praying in my room that God would give me a mantle like Kevin."

Down the years Rick's music has been described by various critics using phrases like "powerfully prophetic" and "adventurously spontaneous". How would he define prophetic worship? "Before there can be 'prophetic worship' there needs to be an understanding of what the prophetic really is. Prophecy is simply releasing the right word of the Lord at the right time. It's impossible to identify prophetic worship as a genre. Prophetic music or 'prophetic worship' is not about singing spontaneously, or singing the same phrase over and over. It's about getting an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying, hearing correctly, then singing what the Spirit says."

So how much preparation does he and his band do prior to a recording? Is it simply turn the recorder on and see what the Spirit brings? "I know you asked about our recordings but I feel like talking about our sound is more important. I think our sound comes from a few different things. Firstly, music is not who we are, it's what we do. So our identity is not in our music but rather in the One who gave us the gift of music. Secondly, we walk in the light with one another. The band and I confess our sins to one another and keep one another accountable in our personal walks with the Lord. Thirdly, no matter how big or small the event, we try and keep the heart of a volunteer, not expecting to be served but expecting to serve."

Cross Rhythms asked the prophetic worship man to identify four of his recorded songs which down the years have resonated powerfully with people. "'My Romance' was a song that I wrote when I was in Bible school back about eight years ago. I remember just worshiping in the staircase and this song started pouring out of my heart. Kari Jobe is featured on this song on the 'Weapons Of Warfare' album. A lot of our songs are spontaneous eruptions that happen at certain times. The song 'I Can Hear The Sound' was one of these cases. I dont remember where it started, but we began to sing this song everywhere as a prophetic declaration of what I believe God wants to do in the Earth. The chorus of the song 'Dove's Eyes' began as another spontaneous flow. I remember that we were ministering in Galveston, Texas and God gave us this song in a beautiful moment in his presence. Since the hook had a real Song of Solomon feel, I wrote the verses to support the theme. Finally, the song 'Pioneer' was written by Nancy Honeytree, a true pioneer of modern Christian music. I randomly heard this song on the internet and instantly, I began to weep. The words and message rang so true to my heart. We contacted Honeytree and asked if we could record her song as a 'now word' to our generation. She gave us permission and the rest is history."

Some people might imagine that a man moving under the anointing like Rick would make him an unapproachable, rather dour character. Was Rick like this? He responded, "I am a down to earth guy who loves God and who loves my family. And yes, I have played some serious kick ball in my day! I don't take myself too seriously, but I do take perusing Jesus seriously. Paul urges us in Ephesians 4 to 'live a life worthy of the calling you have received' and so I believe that a great call demands a great consecration. Elmer Towns says it like this, 'Your level of consecration will determine the level of your voice of influence.'"

So what is the next step for this consecrated musical minister? "Recently, our ministry has been going through some pretty significant transitions. What I have learned though this season is that when faced with uncertainty, peace is the gentle yet firm hand that leads to the table of grace. Peace will always lead us to the grace of God and the grace of God will always keep us on track to fulfil our destiny in Christ."