Rich, John

I am an ordained, conservative, evangelical, non-denominational preacher with experience preaching in Baptist (Independent and Southern), Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and non-denominational churches currently available in the Raleigh, NC area for pulpit supply. I have been preaching since I surrendered to the call to preach in 1993 .

Background

At that time I was a member of the Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church (UCPC). The UCPC is a conservative, evangelical offshoot of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This denomination consisted of several churches spread through central Tennessee and Alabama. I was ordained in 1994.

As a young  minister I served several churches in a pulpit supply capacity. For a few months I traveled about 300 miles each way every other Sunday to fill a pulpit in Alabama that was temporarily without a pastor. I was also a founding minister in a church plant which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015.

In 1997 I accepted a position as a bi-vocational Assistant/Youth Pastor at a small rural church. The church had considerable growth with a very active children’s program during my tenure there. I served there for two years. The church was in the midst of a building program when I left.

I had a radio broadcast for a few years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I still have audio cassettes of those broadcasts, and possibly some CDs for anyone who might be interested. I quit the radio broadcast after accepting a position as a bi-vocational pastor at Rawls Creek Church, a small non-denominational church. Rawls Creek Church issued new ordination credentials. I served there until 2007, at which time the church needed a change.

I continued to preach in various churches as pulpit supply. Not long after I left Rawls Creek Church the pastor at the church where I grew up became ill. I served as pulpit supply on numerous occasions during his illness and passing until a pastor was found.

In 2014 the pastor at Pleasant Shade Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church suddenly resigned. The church contacted me for a long term pulpit supply/interim pastor. I served in this capacity, driving over 2 hours each way, until I moved to North Carolina in 2017. I was able to serve in this capacity without infringing upon the doctrinal differences that I had with the denomination.

Basic Beliefs

I believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible where such is warranted (some prophecy is figurative but refers to literal events). The Bible is the only true rule of faith and practice.

I believe that God eternally exists in the Trinity. I believe that salvation comes at the point when an individual believes on Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

I believe in the current work of the Holy Ghost in the lives of believers, and that all believers receive the Holy Ghost at the moment of salvation.

I believe that the Church consists of all born again believers, but that God has entrusted local churches to carry out His work on earth.

If you have questions about any of my beliefs I am more than happy to discuss these with you.