Growing up as a pastor’s son in a rural south Louisiana town, Brian Richards always claimed there were two things he would never do: become a preacher and return to live in a small town. Fast forward about ten years later and you will find Brian preaching God’s Word to adults, children and youth as he serves as a Student Pastor in the tiny town of Kentwood, Louisiana about 30 minutes from his hometown. Funny how God works, isn’t it?
Brian has worked with young people for over eight years in a variety of settings throughout the southern states and also overseas. He has served as a summer camp pastor, a Bible study leader, Disciple Now speaker, and has also worked on staff with World Changers of the North American Mission Board. In November of 2006, Brian traveled to teach youth and children in Odessa, Ukraine for two weeks as a part of the American Ukrainian Evangelical Fellowship. He returned to the Ukraine in April of 2007 as a visiting professor to teach a course on student ministry at the Odessa Theological Seminary. He has preached throughout the South bringing his own unique blend of real-life humor and in-depth exposition to help students engage in the living and active Word of God.
In 2002, Brian received a B.A. in Mass Communications with minors in Business Administration and Religious Studies from Mississippi College and was named his department’s top graduate. After two years in full time ministry, Brian returned to Louisiana to complete his seminary degree. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Languages in 2006 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned the seminary faculty’s award for Most Outstanding Master of Divinity student. He will soon be applying and pursuing a doctorate in either Biblical Hebrew or Christian Apologetics.
When he isn’t planning youth and children’s events at FBC Kentwood, you can find Brian coaching softball for a local high school, rockin out the piano in the wee hours of the morning, reading, playing sports and trying to figure out why he is prematurely balding. Brian enjoys drinking Sonic cokes (they have the best ice), eating Krispy Kreme donuts (although they are unhealthy) and checking his MySpace account constantly. When he grows up he hopes to be a stay at home father or a college professor. Back