Pastor Richard received his Master of Divinity degree (MDIV) from the Lutheran Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas in 2008. His undergraduate degree is from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas(Bachelor of Science in Communications and Broadcasting) in 1998. Pastor Richard's first call was at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas for five years. Between College and Seminary, he worked in Radio broadcasting in several music genres.

 

Pastor Richard met his wife, Shelia after High School in Shreveport, La. They married in 1992. Shelia has a BA in English (2009), an MBA in Organizational Management and Leadership from Concordia University in Texas (2013), and a MA in English from Youngstown State University (2018).  She has worked in Higher Education for years and was a professional singer for several bands. Presently she is an adjunct English Instructor at Youngstown State University and Eastgate Community College. They both love all kinds of music from Blues, Rock, and Gospel, and reading - from classics to modern fiction and non-fiction.

 

Pastor Richard's favorite theologian is Martin Luther (of course) also Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Soren Kierkegaard. His favorite songwriter is Bob Dylan and his favorite singer is his wife.

 

Pastor Richard's passion is telling people about God's grace through Jesus for all people!