Pastor Rick has been our Senior Pastor at Genesis Fellowship since October 2022 after filling our pulpit as the Interim Pastor for nearly one year. Before joining Genesis Fellowship, Pastor Rick served as pulpit supply for the West Virginia Baptist Convention from March 2020 until November 2021 and he was the Senior Pastor at Diamond Baptist Church from January 2009 until March 2020.
Over his many years of ministry, Pastor Rick has served in the roles of Deacon, Adult Bible Study Teacher, Teen Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, Youth Pastor, and Small Group Leader. He was previously a member at First Baptist Church of Elkins and Clendenin First Baptist Church. He has attended 15 mission trips to Nicaragua where he was part of a team that held religious trainings for adults and children at a Baptist school in Los Concepcion. The mission team also repaired and upgraded facilities and formed a financial support system for the teachers and staff.
In addition to his 20+ years of ministry, Pastor Rick served the West Virginia State Police for 25 years. During his time with the WVSP, Pastor Rick held the positions of Field Trooper, BCI Investigator, Detachment Commander, Procurement Director, Professional Standards, and Department Chaplain. He co-authored policy for multiple chaplains throughout the state of WV and he retired with the rank of Captain.
Pastor Rick has been married to his wife, Tammie, since 1984 and they have two children, Bryan, who lives in Charleston, WV with his wife and children, and Nicholas, who lives in Damascus, MD. Pastor Rick has three grandchildren: Hunter, Lucas, and Nicole.