Richard lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Meri. He has served as lead pastor of 7 churches ranging from 300 to 5000 members in the Atlanta & Birmingham areas over the past 36 years. He has directed New Church Development and in the Center for Congregational Excellence in Atlanta, Georgia. In his retirement, Richard services on the adjunct faculty of Candler School of Theology at Emory University; and as the Southeast Director for SanctuaryAP3, a foundation enabling churches to build affordable housing in their communities.
Richard works with pastors and local church leaders to start new worship services in existing churches, to restart closed churches, strategic mergers, multi-site planning and developing new sources of income like affordable housing and shared facilities. While directing the work of new church development in North Alabama, his office was instrumental in starting over 43 Celebrate Recovery ministries in North Alabama. In total, the conference started 148 new faith communities during his tenure there.
Richard spent his sabbatical in the summer of 2017 visiting Fresh Expressions of church in the USA and England. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Parish Revitalization. He is a Master Teacher in the International Leadership Institute and has taught leaders in 5 countries.
Richard has a passion for raising up future leaders for the church’s work in fulfilling the Great Commission. He has mentored 34 people that are now in full-time ministry and has coached numerous individuals who are church leaders and pastors.
Richard finds great satisfaction is seeing people rise to their potential and use the spiritual gifts God has given them.