 David Sims
Senior Pastor
david@richlandcreek.com
| Pastor David joined the Richland Creek family in April 2004. He and his wife Emily were married in July 1997. They have three children, Grace (10), Jake (8), and Madeline (3). David graduated from the University of Maryland, and holds an MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he is currently finishing his PhD in Theology. While working on his Masters Degree he served as Student Body President. Prior to coming to Richland Creek, David pastored for 7 years at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, NC. |
 John Wright
Associate Pastor/Discipleship
john@richlandcreek.com
| During the summer of 1995, God began to call John into full-time Christian service. He married his wife Donna in March of 1996 and graduated in May of 2002 with a Master of Divinity degree. John and Donna have two children: Jonah and Karissa. John's philosophy of ministry is based on the love of Christ as displayed on the Cross of Calvary. Christ's redeeming love sustains the call on his life to proclaim His Word, share the Gospel with lost souls, and equip the saints through discipleship to evangelize others and to do the work of ministry. John has served as a Pastor since June 1, 2002. |
 Ken Atkinson
Worship Pastor
ken@richlandcreek.com
| Ken has been on staff since November, 1998. Ken and his wife, Angela, both hold Bachelor of Science degrees from Gardner Webb University. Ken has also earned a second Bachelor of Medical Science degree from Emory University, and a Master of Divinity with Church Music degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. With over 11 years in the ministry, Ken's Philosophy of Worship is, "We strive to attain the spiritual and practical excellence of II Chronicles 5, the comprehensive nature of Psalm 150, and the ministry application of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 9." Ken and Angela live in the North Raleigh area with their two daughters. |
 Dave Miller
Student Pastor
dave@richlandcreek.com | Pastor Dave joined the Richland Creek staff on October 14, 2007. He is married to Ann Miller and together they have three sons, Solomon, Caedmon and Cohen. Dave was called to the ministry at the age of 17 and has been involved in ministry ever since. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a B.S in Agricultural Communications and graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY in December 2007 with a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies. Dave’s ministry is centered upon his desire to struggle with all Christ’s energy to present every man complete in Christ, as Paul wrote in Colossians 1:28-29. |
 Jared Via
College Pastor
jared@richlandcreek.com | Jared Via serves as the College Pastor at Richland Creek Community Church and is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Danielle, have a sweet baby girl, Emma Grace. Jared has a passionate heart for the collegiate generation and is wholeheartedly committed to the glory of God and the edification of the Church. |
 Steve Sweeney
Children's Pastor
steve@richlandcreek.com | Pastor Steve was called by God to full-time ministry in 2004 and was affirmed by the congregation as Children’s Pastor in July of 2006. Steve and his wife, Colleen, have three wonderful Christian children, Erin, Ian, and Stephanie. He considers it a blessing and a privilege to partner with parents in the biblical discipleship of their children. Steve’s philosophy of ministry is that children can genuinely accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, be discipled in His truth, share their faith with others, and serve Him faithfully. His ministry key verse is Matthew 18:5 "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." |
 Mike Dowd
Preschool Pastor
mikedowd@richlandcreek.com | Mike accepted Christ at the age of 18 when he was attending Liberty University. Shortly after surrendering his life to Christ, God called him into full-time Children's ministry. He is married to his beautiful wife Stefanie and has three girls; Sadie, Mia, and Ella. Mike received his Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Seminary. He currently serves as the Preschool Pastor at Richland Creek. |
 Mike Fry
Missions & Evangelism Pastor
mike@richlandcreek.com | Mike graduated from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville in May 1991. He became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 27. A calling to ministry occurred in 1998 after attending three years at First Baptist North Spartanburg. Since then he lived overseas for three years and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2004. In December 2008, after serving as Missions Director at Richland Creek, Mike Fry was called as Missions and Evangelism Pastor. God’s heart for the nations and Jesus’ atonement for sin compels him to be a catalyst to see Jesus glorified and worshiped by every tribe, tongue, people and nation. |
 Brian Merritt
Pastoral Care Pastor
brian@richlandcreek.com | Pastor Brian joined the staff in November 2007 as the Connections Director. He was later called as the Pastoral Care Pastor in March 2010. He is married to Renee Merritt and together they have two grown children, a daughter Amber, and a son Jay. Brian’s call to ministry was gradual, beginning in 2000 when he began taking classes at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to “learn a little more.” Brian graduated with a Master of Divinity in Apologetics and Biblical Languages in December 2008. Brian’s ministry is to care for the church body in times of spiritual and physical need. |
Administrative Staff: | |
 Alan Bryan
Middle School Director
alan@richlandcreek.com |  Perry Safron
Singles Director
perry@richlandcreek.com |
 Jim Gillespie
Men's Ministry Director
jim@richlandcreek.com |  Eric King
Financial Director
erick@richlandcreek.com |
 Sandra Fishow
Office Manager
sandra@richlandcreek.com |  Jacob Via
Communications Director
jacob@richlandcreek.com |
 Joy Styers
Administrative Assistant
joy@richlandcreek.com |  Kimberly Jarman
Weekday Preschool Director
kimberly@richlandcreek.com |
 Chad Lister
Worship Leader
chad@richlandcreek.com |  Joe Tomberlin
Drama Director
joe@richlandcreek.com |
 Harold Lessner
Facilities Manager
harold@richlandcreek.com |  Christian Trotter
Elementary Director
christian@richlandcreek.com |
 Wes Elliott
Building & Grounds Custodian
wes@richlandcreek.com |  Winn Crenshaw
Messianic Ministry
winn@richlandcreek.com |
 Currie Tilley
Administrative Intern
currie@richlandcreek.com | |
| |
