Pastor Richard

        Richard came to First Church, Bakersfield in 2005 from Palo Alto, California (Bay Area) where he was pastor at Wesley Church for nine years.  He brings to First Church energy and enthusiasm for reaching people with the saving power of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.  Believing that God calls all people, from all walks of life, Richard encourages growth in Christian spiritual maturity. His passion is for all people to sense God’s call on their life and to help them to know Jesus on a deep level and to live out His call.  He is a strong preacher and has gifts of teaching, exhortation, and hospitality.

  Richard has a B.A. from the University of Montana, an MDiv. from Pacific School of Religion, and the Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena. Richard and his wife, ‘Ofa Halatanu, have been married for over twenty years, and they have two wonderful children.