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I was born in Miami,
Florida, the son of Robert and Sarah Rich. I am happily married
to my high school sweetheart, the former Debra Ann Daniel of
Miami. We have five children, two of whom are married, two are
in college and one still at home. We have two grandaughters (twins!).
I attended Vanderbilt University, where I received the degrees
of Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science in electrical
engineering. It was at Vanderbilt that I saw snow for the first
time. After graduation, I returned to Miami to rejoin the family
business, Rich Electronics, Inc. There I did design work on a
variety of projects relating to shipboard navigation, radio and
satellite communication, engine monitoring, and desalination.
I also designed a system for controlling the paper tension in
the manufacture of corrugated boxes.
After the birth of our first child, Debbie and I joined the
Old Cutler Presbyterian Church in South Miami. It was there that
I began to understand and love the doctrines of grace. I served
as a deacon for three years and as chairman of the property committee.
After my term as a deacon, I was elected to the office of ruling
elder. Feeling inadequate for the office, I enrolled in Evangelism
Explosion training. This was a turning point in my life as I
was seized with a passion to see people come to Christ. I began
taking classes at Knox Theological Seminary with the objective
of preparing for missionary service in short wave broadcasting.
One class led to another, and six and a half years later, I received
the Master of Divinity degree. I was licensed to preach by the
Southern Florida Presbytery and began looking for a church. God's
remarkable providence led me to Mt. Calvary where, after being
ordained by Evangel Presbytery, I have been the pastor since
1997. |
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