Rick Carrol

Rick Carrol joined the faculty at McMaster Divinity College in 2026 with over two decades of dedicated leadership at the intersection of pastoral ministry, community health, and clinical care. A seasoned leader and practitioner, Rick has spent 25 years in pastoral ministry, including a impactful 21-year tenure at Portico Community Church. During his time at Portico, he served across a diverse spectrum of leadership roles spanning youth ministry and campus lead pastoring before stepping into the role of Senior Pastor for the past seven years.

Driven by a holistic vision for community wellness, Rick founded the Portico Care Centre, a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare system. Under his leadership, the center provides integrated psychological, physical, and spiritual care at no cost to vulnerable community members who lack health benefits or insurance coverage. Rick learned about the need for wholistic and accessible care when he worked as a child and family clinician in the publica heath system with Peel Children’s Centre, and he continues to practice psychotherapy professionally in the care centre, specializing in CBT and DBT.

Rick holds a Master of Arts in Counselling from Yorkville University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Liberty University, and Diploma in Ministerial studies from Masters College and Seminary. Rick has been a member of the CRPO since 2017 and practices psychotherapy predominantly through CBT and DBT. Rick is dedicated to mentoring students in the Counselling and Spiritual Care program, blending rigorous clinical practice with deep pastoral wisdom to foster transformative, accessible care.