“At eight years of age, I was attending my home church, Calvary Baptist Church, in Hattiesburg, MS. God spoke to my heart while Rev. Emmett Boone preached the message that morning. During the invitation, I walked over to my mom and told her that something was not right. She asked me if I needed to be saved, and I told her I did. I walked to the front and Rev. Boone led me in a sinners’ prayer, and I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life.”

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Pastor Richard has served the Lord in ministry for over 30 years. He surrendered to God's call to preach at the age of 19. When he was 24, he began his ministry as youth pastor at Snow Springs in Adairsville, Ga. At the young age of 28, he moved into the role of Senior Pastor and spent the next twenty years serving three different churches and their surrounding communities.He currently severs bi-vocational at Maranatha Baptist Church in Calhoun, GA. 

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Richard graduated from Hattiesburg High in 1982 and spent the next six years in the Army National Guard. He received his Associate’s Degree from Covington Theological Seminary, and received his Bachelor’s degree from Shorter University. On June 20th, 1987, Richard married Dana Jackson of Adairsville. She has been his rock and supporter throughout their marriage. God blessed them with four children: Nicole, Megan, Kaitlyn, and John. Nicole is married to Josh Justice, and they have two children: McKinley and Hank. Megan is married to Marshall Pritchard, and they have three children, Zayne and Elijah Wise, and Ellis Pritchard. Kaitlyn is married to Dylan Coker and they have two children, Axton and Cash. “The greatest man to influence my life was my dad, John Webster. He was an example to me every day of what a godly man should be. He taught me how to love my family and that the greatest way to enjoy life was to live for God. Wayne Jackson, my father-in-law who has become my second father… what has he not taught me? Also, Rev. Emmett Boone was my pastor until I was 21. He was a pastor that loved his church members with an unconditional love. Another great man of influence was Dr. Tommy Childress. He invested time in me, showing me how to serve a church as pastor. Others include Rev. Don Hazel, Earl McClure, and Jessie Philliber.”

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Sports have played a huge role in Richard’s life. His desire to impact the lives of others helps fuel his passion for coaching. He enjoys spending quality time with his son and father-in-law hunting and fishing. Last, but certainly not least, Richard is fanatical about anything pertaining to the Alabama Crimson Tide. “Roll Tide!”

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“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39