Rich was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in a loving, Christian environment. It was here that he was introduced to Jesus as His personal Savior and filled with the Holy Spirit at a young age. During his high school years he felt a call of God upon his life and immediately began to respond to that calling. Attending a small Pentecostal church, the church grew by almost 33% (all youth), as Rich began to lead his friends to the Lord and invite them to church. It was also during this time that he became involved with the “Jesus People Movement” of the early 1970’s. This left an indelible mark upon him and his later ministry of a radical commitment to Christ, and a contemporary way to share that message.

After high school, Rich attended International Bible College, where after 4 years he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree. He also met his loving wife, Linda, of 30+ years there. They have 3 grown children who are all serving the Lord today. David, their oldest son is in a Christian Punk Rock band, Run Kid Run, touring the country. Rachel, their second oldest is married to Clifton, a Marine officer. They are stationed in North Carolina. Her husband has recently been deployed to Afghanistan. Leah, their youngest, is attending Wright State University majoring in dance.

Finishing Bible College, Rich and Linda briefly traveled evangelizing before settling down in S. Illinois to pastor their first church at the young age of 22. They were there for six years before going on to plant two other churches, one in S. IL, and the other in Kentucky. Altogether, this ministry spanned a total of more than 26 years.

Coming full circle, Rich, Linda and their youngest daughter moved back to Ohio in 2005. Rich took a sabbatical from ministry and began working for Homeland Security. Linda continued to work as a nurse, while Leah lived at home and attended college. In the Fall of 2006, Rich and Linda visited a small, but loving group of people who make up Valleyview Church. In the early summer of 2007, Rich became their pastor. He says, “It’s much like the church plants that God has had us do before. The challenges are great, but God is greater.”
They anticipate great things in the Lord while here.

Return to Valleyview Church Homepage