Dallas, Texas born and bred, Richard has not ventured far from home. Richard was converted and called to the ministry all at the same time at a Billy Graham movie. He simply knew on the inside that this was the direction God was asking him to take. However, God’s plan did not jive with his own desires, which were to become a physician He tried to compromise with God, suggesting that he would make a great medical missionary, but in the final analysis, Richard knew he needed to serve God on His terms rather than his own.
Richard offers Mark 1:37, as the verse of his life. “When they found Jesus, they said unto Him, ‘Everyone’s looking for You.’” I try to look at every person I meet through this prism, that despite sometimes unexplainable behaviors, everyone is ultimately looking for Jesus, and it is both my job and my joy to see that they meet Him. Thus, the mission of my life is to make disciples for Jesus Christ of as many different people as possible.
His education was here in Dallas at S.M.U. and U.N.T.
- B.A., S.M.U. 1970 Social Science
- M.Th., S.M.U. 1973 Theology (first in class)
- Ph.D. U.N.T. 1991 Sociology (4.0 GPA)
He also made time to write and had the following works published:
Co-Author, T.N.T. (Through the New Testament), current edition, 2003
Author, T.O.T. (Through the Old Testament), current edition, 2003
Author, Beyond These Walls: Building the Church in a Built-out Neighborhood, Abingdon Press, 1999
Past pastoral roles: Position, city and state, dates
- 2001-present First UMC Carrollton
- 1994-2001 Senior Pastor, Lake Highlands UMC, Dallas
- 1990-1994 Director, North Texas Conference Board of Church Extension
- 1982-1990 Senior Pastor, Asbury UMC, Denton
- 1977-1982 Pastor, Westview UMC, Greenville
- 1973-1977 Pastor, Crandall UMC, Crandall
- 1973 Associate Pastor, First UMC, Lewisville
Richard and his wife, Theresa were married June 6, 1970 and have three daughters; Shelah is a psychologist, Rachel a medical student, and Renee an Elementary teacher.
An avid racquetball player, he secretly wishes that our church could someday build its own racquetball court! We’re going to have two gyms, two kitchens, two libraries, multiple classrooms and offices; so why not one little racquetball court?!
A little known fact about Richard is that he is probably the only person you will ever meet who dropped out of high school, college and seminary, but still graduated with his class, and graduated number one. He is slow on the start…but finishes with a bang! The tortoise has nothing on him!
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