Pastor’s Quadriplegia Opens New Ministry Doors

Rick and Susan Hanneman have served in ministry for 47 years, mostly in Oregon, but on Rick’s sixty-eighth birthday in 2022 things radically changed when he got up in the night, suffered a fall due to light-headedness and instantly became quadriplegic.

“I was healthy and could do pretty much anything I wanted to, but in a moment I could do virtually nothing,” Hanneman says.

Indeed, he had ridden his bicycle for two hours that day as he did every day, rain or shine. Today, after two years of surgeries and therapies, Hanneman remains quadriplegic but has found new opportunities for ministry both in the Albany, Oregon, care facility he lives in, and in area churches where he preaches a message of hope and the sure promises of God.

“I recognize that God is now using me in some amazing ways and has given me amazing grace through this whole thing,” he says.

At the time of the accident, Hanneman was serving as an associate pastor at King’s Circle AG in Corvallis. In years prior, he and Susan, parents of two and grandparents of three, pastored churches in Oregon and Southern California, and spent more than a decade serving as intentional interim pastors in more than a dozen churches during difficult transitions due to the death or sudden departure of a pastor. 

“We were able to go into these churches in those less-than-optimal situations and work to bring healing and unity,” Hanneman says. “We just loved people and tried to be good listeners, to spend time with them in their hurt. Then we helped them make a wise decision in the selection of a new pastor. I wrote a lot of materials that pulpit committees could use — strategies to evaluate resumes, how to conduct interviews. We walked with them through that whole process and wouldn’t generally leave until they had a new pastor.”

Susan employed her gifts as a pianist, secretary, and youth group leader to fill in needed roles. The couple lived in their 40-foot fifth-wheel trailer, to which Hanneman affixed his bicycle for daily rides. Former Oregon Ministry Network superintendent Vernon “Capp” Marks says the Hannemans “were very successful at helping us get churches back on their feet until they got a pastor.”

When the couple settled in Corvallis in 2022, King’s Circle AG quickly brought Hanneman on staff. The day before Hanneman fell, an unexpected scripture came to his heart: Hebrews 11:21 (ESV) which reads, “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.”

“I thought it was the strangest verse but I had it in my heart all day long,” he says. “I could not figure out what God was trying to say to me at all, but when I went to bed at 10 o’clock on the 14th I said, ‘God, I have no idea what you’re saying, but I will serve you all the days of my life.’ Little did I know that a little over two hours later I would no longer be able to stand.”

Just after midnight, Hanneman passed out on his way to the bathroom, possibly due to new blood pressure medications he was taking.

“I hit the floor and compressed my spinal cord,” he says.

He called for Susan, who called 911. Reparative surgeries failed to restore movement, and Hanneman was eventually placed in a long-term care facility, which today is the site of his new ministry.

A sign hangs on his always-open door, reading in part, “Need prayer? I would be glad to pray with you about any situation you, or someone you care about, may be facing. The invitation is for any staff member, fellow resident, or visitor. I believe God hears and answers prayer.” Under a second headline — “Need to Talk?” — the sign continues, “There are times when we all need someone who will listen to us. I am happy to do just that and will only offer my feedback or advice if requested. I will listen without judgment or criticism, and keep our conversation confidential. I care and I’m here for you. Pastor Rick.”

“You would not believe how many people have walked by, seen the sign, come in, sat down and said, ‘I need prayer,’” he says. “It’s amazing how the Lord is using me.”

Not long ago, a nurse came in at 1:30 a.m. and woke Hanneman up with a desperate need for prayer.

“Ever since I had my accident it’s incredible the amount of divine appointments that have come into my life,” he says. “It’s absolutely unbelievable. I have been able to lead about 18 people to the Lord in the last two years, one-on-one. I’m astounded.”

That includes one of his therapists, who was then baptized in water at a local AG church. Marks has been present when people walked into Hanneman’s door wanting to talk.

“I can’t over-emphasize the fact that Rick just doesn’t quit,” Marks says. “He tells you how good God has been to him. That’s been the strength of his witness. He is so positive and his testimony is powerful, his attitude always so up-building. I watch the way he deals with staff. He is so kind, and they love him. He has more influence on people at this point than most Christians do at the same period.”

All of this in spite of the fact that Hanneman can do nearly nothing for himself, including eat or perform his own hygiene.

“The one thing that works on me is my mouth,” he says.

Hanneman has resumed speaking in local AG churches, recounting his darkest day in a message now available online called “Get Up and Keep Going.” Another popular message is “Six Things I’ve Learned.” King’s Circle continues to list him as part of their staff.

“There have been lot of highs and lows and a lot of challenges, but they have been worth it all with the people I’ve been able to lead to the Lord,” Hanneman says. “I’ve learned that the promises of God’s Word are true. When we experience them there’s a whole different dynamic where we say, ‘Now I know it’s true because I experienced it in my life. The promises that you’ll never leave me or forsake me are true. The promises that you will counsel me and guide me through whatever situation I’m in are true and I’m experiencing it.’ Here we are two years later and I am still worshipping the Lord.”

Joel Kilpatrick

Joel Kilpatrick is a writer living in Southern California who has authored or ghostwritten dozens of books. Kilpatrick, who served as associate editor of the Pentecostal Evangel in the 1990s, is a credentialed Assemblies of God minister.