Richard is the founder and president of Explore Truth Ministries.  ETM provides consulting services, workshops, and seminars for churches and para-church organizations in leadership, apologetics, disciple building, and evangelism.  He was raised in southeast Missouri.  From 1966 to 1970, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army reaching the rank of Captain.

 

After leaving the military, Richard returned to school to earn an MBA degree and then for the next 27 years worked as an executive at one of the world’s leading multi-national corporations, Caterpillar, Inc. traveling and working in 27 countries.  In his last position with the company, he lived in Belgium and was involved with the development and strategic marketing of a line of products for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

 

In addition to building a corporate career, Richard also put his gifts of teaching and leadership to good use at the same time.  He has served as a faculty member and a guest lecturer in business at numerous colleges.

 

He also served in lay leader positions at his local churches and taught Bible studies for over 25 years.  However, in1999 he felt God calling him away from the luxurious lifestyle he and his wife, Suzi, were living and toward something entirely different.  Within a few months Richard received God’s call to full time ministry.  Richard left Caterpillar, enrolled in seminary, and accepted his first full time ministry job at Crosspointe Church at Cary, NC.

 

Richard is an ordained Baptist minister and prior to establishing ETM he served as a pastor for eight years and was the founding pastor of Community Life Church of the Carolinas. He has also been a frequent speaker at churches, civic organizations, conferences, and universities.

 

Richard graduated with honors from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and with high honors from Southern Evangelical Seminary where he received his doctorate in apologetics.  He also holds a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Business Administration.  He serves as an adjunct professor of apologetics at Bethany Divinity College and Seminary, an adjunct professor (mentor) of apologetics, leadership, and theology at Columbia Evangelical Seminary, and faculty for the missions’ arm of Southern Evangelical Seminary.  He is also a member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics.

 

Richard and his wife Suzi have seven children and ten grandchildren with whom they enjoy spending as much time as possible.