Meet Pastor Ernest E. Richard Jr

ELDER ERNEST E RICHARD JR.

Born to the late Ernest E. Richard Sr. and Rosa L.(Richard) Espuet, on July 19,1958, this native of New Haven, Connecticut spent his early childhood years in the back woods of ST. Pauls, NC and was brought back to the city where he began his education. Ernest showed great potential in his general studies and was selected to begin attending the Ulysses S. Grant program on the campus of Yale University. Ernest graduated from James Hill House High School in 1977, finishing in the top 50 of his 165 member class.

Although his parents kept him and his other six siblings in Church, Ernest did not come to know the Lord Jesus until March 3,1980. It was then that the Lord began to shape him and caused him to accelerate through Sunday School and prepared him to become a Sunday School Teacher, Youth President, and Lead Choir Director at Little Rock Church, New Haven, CT. In January of 1984 Ernest left Little Rock to attend Living Word Ministries where he enrolled in their School of Ministry and was ordained a Deacon. His service lasted 2 years and the Lord brought him to Agape Christian Center where he preached his initial Sermon (July 14,1986) and was later Ordained an Elder April 1990. In September of 1989 Ernest Pastored a small flock in Bridgeport, CT and went on to organize what would become Power To Stand Evangelistic Outreach (October 1989) of which he was the Founder, Overseer, and Advisor.

In March of 1996 Ernest Joined The Northeast Conference under Bishop Walter Joyner and became the Sr. Conference Elder before stepping down voluntarily (March 2013). In that same year Ernest moved to Maryland where he dated and then married his childhood friend Sharon Garrison .Ernest served as the Assistant Pastor at Miles Memorial CME Church in Washington, DC. He was also the President of the Miles Men's Ministry and Vice President of M2M Washington/Virginia District and served with the church's Haiti Missions Team. Ernest is a partner of the Bridge Network International where he currently serves as an Elder (an extension of Power to Stand Evangelistic Outreach).

In May of 2017 Ernest decided to return to school and enrolled in The Hand of God Ministries Biblical Institute under the direction of Pastor Michele F Parker and has plans to further extend his theological/ biblical education in the very near future. On December 31,2019, the Lord called Elder Richard back into the pastorate and by way of the Holy Spirit formulated Power To Stand Outreach Minisistries with his wife 1st Lady Sharon G Richard.

Currently Elder Richard currently is serves as a Vice officer and Adjutant General Overseer for Volume of The Book International under Chief Apostle Vincent L Smith. Pastor Richard is also a 34 year radio veteran having served as Program Director for WNHU's New Gospel Exchange for over 12 years before stepping down. Elder Richard currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Elations Radio and hosts the Pastors Corner on Elations radio. Elder Richard makes guest appearances on multiple shows for several stations. Elder Richard is committed to fulfilling God's call on his life. He has a passion for teaching and training, a tremendous sense of humor and a genuine love for others.