Just a brief comment about my life is that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to my beautiful wife, dad to two amazing daughters, grandpa to seven wonderful grandchildren, ordained minister serving on staff with First Baptist Clarksville Tennessee (FBCT) as the Military Pastor, and the Area Director for Kentucky and Tennessee with Soul Survivor Outdoor which is a Christ-centered outdoor adventure organization serving our active duty service members.

I am also a twenty year United States Army veteran with multiple deployments overseas in addition to six combat rotations to Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF). All of my combat deployments was 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Special Forces qualified (Green Beret) noncommissioned officer. I had the privilege and honor of serving a ten years among America’s greatest warriors – my friends. De Oppresso Liber

I enjoy sneaking off with my bride to fish for largemouth bass and excursions into the woods to hunt turkey and deer. We enjoy time in the woods or on the water to decompress and enjoy creation shoulder to shoulder. At home we enjoy getting caught up in a good binge worthy series, hanging with our family and two Siberian Huskies, and smoking tasty animals for family and friends. Although a novice at smoking meats, I do enjoy seeing everyone enjoy the finished product.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, a Master of Theological Studies-Missions Emphasis, a Master of Theology-Applied Theology, and a Doctor of Educational Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. I am also a certified trauma professional through Evergreen Certifications and have maintained those credentials since 2018 as my ministerial focus has been caring for those who struggle with the memories of war. I have volunteered with Joni and Friends Warrior Getaways for several years and taught on posttraumatic stress, secondary traumatization, and posttraumatic growth in Tennessee, South Carolina, Arizona, and New Mexico. I have also served on a Joni and Friends team from the United States to serve Ukrainian veterans and their families in Germany. My wife and I continue to serve at Joni and Friends Warrior Getaways as we can. Great organization and ministry for our combat veterans and their family members. Trauma impacts the whole family and why any approach to healing must include the whole family.

My dissertation title is, Educating Local Church Representatives on Developing Integrated Trauma Care Ministries in the Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee, Area to Care for Spouses of Soldiers Struggling with Combat Trauma. The project is a ten-week program that provides the foundational knowledge for local churches to become trauma informed and trauma responsive to those who are struggling. My work is available on ProQuest.

My blog writings are personal thoughts shaped by my experiences and framed by a biblical worldview.

Thank you for visiting my site. All the best!

Richard

Strength and Honor