Pastor Rich was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Mali, West Africa where his parents served as missionaries.  He is a retired Ordained Elder from the Northern Illinois Conference near Chicago.  He and his wife, Donna, moved to Akron in July 2023 to be close to Rich’s family.  Rich recently served as interim pastor at New Philadelphia First UMC prior to his appointment at Crosspoint UMC.  Donna, his wife, teaches leadership and organizational behavior at DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management.  They enjoy gardening, bird watching, fishing, and being in the great outdoors and are becoming fans of the Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers. 

Rich earned a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Seminary in Deerfield, IL and a Doctor of Theology from Boston University School of Theology with a major in missions.  In 2023, he was a Visiting Scholar at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, conducting research on the mission of the church and care of creation.  Rich is thrilled to serve alongside you as pastor of Crosspoint UMC.