Rolling Hills Community Church Pastor steps down after 31 years of incredible growth.
By Traci Scott,
Dale Ebel, founding pastor of Tualatin’s Rolling Hills Community Church, recently stepped down in his role as senior pastor after 31 years of service. Today, between 2,700 and 3,200 attend the two Sunday services. Ebel is a native Oregonian and a resident of West Linn since 1978. In 1975, Ebel was returning to Oregon for graduate work at Portland’s Western Seminary when he sensed a call to start a church. After he finished his Master of Divinity degree, four families who were friends of the Ebels asked him to be their pastor. Together, they established Rolling Hills Community Church in February, 1978, at first meeting in family homes. They then rented a public elementary school in Lake Oswego for six years before moving into their current Tualatin location in 1984.
Ebel credits Rolling Hills’ growth to the communal belief that people are weak and God is strong. He also believes that teaching the word of God and its application to daily life has had a strong impact on members.
Church members also credit the church’s multi-generational feel and Ebel’s strong people skills as contributing factors toward the church’s success and growth. They also note that Ebel has made strong ties outside the church, including support for Tualatin’s Bridgeport Primary School, where church members help with various programs.
Yet, in the midst of his devotion to ministry, Ebel has remained dedicated to his family, which includes wife Linda; three married children, and nine grandchildren.
Ebel’s life motto: “We are all Stewards: we only steward two things – our Affluence and Influence.”
Receptions honoring Dale Ebel’s will be held after church services on June 27 and June 28 at the church, 3550 SW Borland Road, Tualatin.
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