Pastor Richard
I grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I met Christ at the age of 18 having been invited to a church music service by a friend in 1970.
Raised in an un-churched family, and having a history of delinquent behavior my new found faith became life changing. My testimony immediately opened doors to share that faith and as a young man. Many churches, schools, and youth camps around the area sought me out to share my story.
I traveled in an evangelistic ministry for several years in the southeast. In 1974, I was invited to Quito Ecuador as a missionary and that invitation opened doors to many different countries of South America.
Throughout this time I had an unquenchable hunger for the word of God. I read and studied every theological book that I could find and set personal goals to learn everything I could about the Bible and to memorize the scriptures. I studied Spanish at the Catholic University in Quito. Though I attended a small Bible school, Campemento Nueva Vida, (New Life Camp) near Quito, Ecuador is where I later taught. Most of my biblical knowledge has come through books, experience, self education and of course from the best teacher of all, God’s Holy Spirit. I taught at the mission school in Ecuador and extended my stay for five more years.
In 1973 I married, the love of my life, Robin Layman, a friend and also teacher in the school at Quito. Robin served prior in the Philippines for several years working with tribal groups with Christ To The Philippines Mission, a missions group based in Manila.
After serving at the school and traveling together throughout Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile on evangelistic tours Robin and I returned to the US and began a family which now includes Rich, our oldest son and his wife Susan and their three children Reed , Carter Ann and Keagan; Ryan our younger son and his wife Rori and their three children Roark, Quill, and Archer; and finally last but not least, our baby girl Alyson her husband Chris and 3 children Grahm, Walker, and Riley. We are blessed that we all live in the same town now to spend precious family time together..
I say about his wife of 50 years, “Her love for people and her faith in God has always inspired me to dream greater dreams.”
Our passion for the elderly and the less fortunate have been a catalyst to find ways to help others launching new ministry opportunities.
I am a longstanding member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
My ministry experience includes:
Five years as a full time evangelist speaking at youth camp meetings, schools, and in churches across the Southeast.
Associate minister of West Side Assembly of God in Rocky mount North Carolina for two years.
Directed a coffee house ministry, The Ancient of Days, in Rocky Mount North Carolina for 18 months. The AOD ministry was a ministry dedicated to reaching youth from all walks of life with addiction and social problems.
I have spoken in evangelistic crusades and public high schools sharing my testimony and the impact faith had on my life.
I was ordained into The Church of Christ Christian Churches April 18, 1998
I served full time as the associate minister of Ringgold Church of Christ for 11 years, from 1998-2008.
I began a ministry to shut-ins in nursing homes and hospitals. N.F.M. has emphasis in ministering to dementia and Alzheimer units. They have conducted hundreds of worship services in facilities all over the Tri-State area.
Robin and I have a lifetime of experience in ministry and in many walks of life and are very excited about the ministry opportunities that lie ahead.