ABOUT SENIOR PASTOR RICHARD
I grew up in Mississippi, went to Mississippi State University and Belhaven College, and graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary. Between College and Seminary I married Anne Dodson, and we have four adult children now, three are married and we have seven grandchildren… if you ask Anne, I’m sure she may have a picture or two!
My wife Anne works for The Rafiki Foundation managing writers, writing and editing curriculum for their Classical Christian Education in ten African nations, as well as for the Rafiki Classical Academy here in Eustis, FL. She is a mom, a grandmother, a teacher, a writer and a pastor’s wife; each role carrying it’s own special responsibilities.
I have been an ordained Presbyterian Church in America pastor since 1981, and the years seem to have passed so quickly! I have served several churches over the years, starting in my home church, Alta Woods Presbyterian Church, and North Park PCA, both in Jackson. After graduation and ordination I served Second Presbyterian Church Greenville South Carolina, then moved back to Mississippi for a few years at Thomson Memorial PCA in Centreville. From there I planted Golden Isles Presbyterian Church at Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and did church revitalization in Columbia, South Carolina at what is now Rose Hill Presbyterian. We were called to Baltimore, Maryland to Loch Raven PCA to do the same sort of work I did in South Carolina. Anne and I have now lived here in central Florida since 2006, and love living and serving Christ here in Lake County at New Hope!
I have had the opportunity to do a lot of things in life, and to serve Christ and His church in lots of different ways over the years. A few of the more interesting things I have done are serve as Chairman of the Board for the Seaman’s House in Brunswick Georgia where we ministered to seamen who came into the Brunswick port from all over the world. I was also on the Board of Directors for Covenant Christian School, and even served as chairman of that organization for a season while we were in South Carolina. I actively served on the Reformed Youth Ministry board for about twenty five years teaching annually at our Youth Conferences, and helping guide that ministry from the small beginnings we had in Jackson into what RYM is today. I also have collaborated with my friend Ed Eubanks and we have published a tool for parents to use in preparing their children for meaningful church membership called Covenant Disciples Handbook. I have done short-term missions trips to Merida Mexico, Chattanooga TN, Bay St. Louis MS, Kherson Ukraine, and even Cherokee NC.
My interests include lots of things. I love the outdoors and hunting (deer, turkey, and waterfowl). I like to do projects around the house (probably because of the sense of closure I get from being able to stand back and say, “Well, that’s done.”) I love black and white photography, and perhaps enjoy cooking a little too much! I learning to play the guitar (again) as well.
If you have read this far in my bio, then maybe the thing you really want to know about me is that I would love to meet you. Come worship with us at New Hope, and introduce yourself to me!
My wife Anne works for The Rafiki Foundation managing writers, writing and editing curriculum for their Classical Christian Education in ten African nations, as well as for the Rafiki Classical Academy here in Eustis, FL. She is a mom, a grandmother, a teacher, a writer and a pastor’s wife; each role carrying it’s own special responsibilities.
I have been an ordained Presbyterian Church in America pastor since 1981, and the years seem to have passed so quickly! I have served several churches over the years, starting in my home church, Alta Woods Presbyterian Church, and North Park PCA, both in Jackson. After graduation and ordination I served Second Presbyterian Church Greenville South Carolina, then moved back to Mississippi for a few years at Thomson Memorial PCA in Centreville. From there I planted Golden Isles Presbyterian Church at Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and did church revitalization in Columbia, South Carolina at what is now Rose Hill Presbyterian. We were called to Baltimore, Maryland to Loch Raven PCA to do the same sort of work I did in South Carolina. Anne and I have now lived here in central Florida since 2006, and love living and serving Christ here in Lake County at New Hope!
I have had the opportunity to do a lot of things in life, and to serve Christ and His church in lots of different ways over the years. A few of the more interesting things I have done are serve as Chairman of the Board for the Seaman’s House in Brunswick Georgia where we ministered to seamen who came into the Brunswick port from all over the world. I was also on the Board of Directors for Covenant Christian School, and even served as chairman of that organization for a season while we were in South Carolina. I actively served on the Reformed Youth Ministry board for about twenty five years teaching annually at our Youth Conferences, and helping guide that ministry from the small beginnings we had in Jackson into what RYM is today. I also have collaborated with my friend Ed Eubanks and we have published a tool for parents to use in preparing their children for meaningful church membership called Covenant Disciples Handbook. I have done short-term missions trips to Merida Mexico, Chattanooga TN, Bay St. Louis MS, Kherson Ukraine, and even Cherokee NC.
My interests include lots of things. I love the outdoors and hunting (deer, turkey, and waterfowl). I like to do projects around the house (probably because of the sense of closure I get from being able to stand back and say, “Well, that’s done.”) I love black and white photography, and perhaps enjoy cooking a little too much! I learning to play the guitar (again) as well.
If you have read this far in my bio, then maybe the thing you really want to know about me is that I would love to meet you. Come worship with us at New Hope, and introduce yourself to me!