Our Staff
RICHARD BERRY
PASTOR
Pastor Richard was born in Indianapolis, IN into a preacher’s family. At age 11, the family moved to Elkton, MD in 1971, where his father (Rev Tom Berry) accepted the call to pastor Baptist Bible Church. Richard came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as a teenager, surrendering his life to God while a junior in high school and became a leader in the church youth ministry.
After graduating from Elkton Christian School, Richard attended college at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN, graduating in May of 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible. During that time, he pastored his first church, “Monteagle Mountain Baptist Chapel.” The August after his graduation, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Sandy Shepherd of Elkton, MD. In January of 1986, Richard and Sandy moved to Forth Worth, TX, enrolling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Richard was licensed to the ministry by Rosen Heights Baptist Church in November of 1986 and served in several different ministry roles, including single adults, youth and music. He graduated in May of 1989 with a double master’s degree: Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Education. In March of 1989, they welcomed their first child, Justin, who tragically passed away shy of five months later from a serious heart condition. Richard and Sandy moved back to Elkton, MD and began serving alongside of his father at Baptist Bible Church and was ordained in July of 1991. Their family was blessed with four more children: Jessica, Austin, Julia and Jeanette.
Richard and his father planted “Truth Chapel” in 1997 and he was bi-vocational until becoming lead pastor after his father’s retirement. Richard has served as a volunteer chaplain for Union Hospital for 20 years, served 18 years in the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) as a squadron chaplain and wing chaplain for the state of DE, obtaining the grade of Major. Currently, he serves as volunteer chaplain for the Cecil County Sheriff’s Department and president of Truth Helpers, Inc, a non-profit organization supporting mission work around the world. Before accepting the pastorate at Faith Southern Baptist Church, Richard worked fulltime for seven years as a hospice chaplain in Cecil County.
His hobbies include hiking the Appalachian Trail and other outdoor activities: hunting, shooting sports, NASCAR and “working with my hands” in several trades.
Pastor Richard was born in Indianapolis, IN into a preacher’s family. At age 11, the family moved to Elkton, MD in 1971, where his father (Rev Tom Berry) accepted the call to pastor Baptist Bible Church. Richard came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as a teenager, surrendering his life to God while a junior in high school and became a leader in the church youth ministry.
After graduating from Elkton Christian School, Richard attended college at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN, graduating in May of 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible. During that time, he pastored his first church, “Monteagle Mountain Baptist Chapel.” The August after his graduation, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Sandy Shepherd of Elkton, MD. In January of 1986, Richard and Sandy moved to Forth Worth, TX, enrolling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Richard was licensed to the ministry by Rosen Heights Baptist Church in November of 1986 and served in several different ministry roles, including single adults, youth and music. He graduated in May of 1989 with a double master’s degree: Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Education. In March of 1989, they welcomed their first child, Justin, who tragically passed away shy of five months later from a serious heart condition. Richard and Sandy moved back to Elkton, MD and began serving alongside of his father at Baptist Bible Church and was ordained in July of 1991. Their family was blessed with four more children: Jessica, Austin, Julia and Jeanette.
Richard and his father planted “Truth Chapel” in 1997 and he was bi-vocational until becoming lead pastor after his father’s retirement. Richard has served as a volunteer chaplain for Union Hospital for 20 years, served 18 years in the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) as a squadron chaplain and wing chaplain for the state of DE, obtaining the grade of Major. Currently, he serves as volunteer chaplain for the Cecil County Sheriff’s Department and president of Truth Helpers, Inc, a non-profit organization supporting mission work around the world. Before accepting the pastorate at Faith Southern Baptist Church, Richard worked fulltime for seven years as a hospice chaplain in Cecil County.
His hobbies include hiking the Appalachian Trail and other outdoor activities: hunting, shooting sports, NASCAR and “working with my hands” in several trades.
Pastor RICHARD & Wife SANDY
Pastor’s wife, Sandy, works full-time for the Cecil County School District; however, she also helps in areas of his ministry. She assists with the Ladies Bible Study/Prayer Meetings when available, as well as helps the ladies organize our church events/functions. Sandy also sings special music and occasionally with the P&W Team. The area of prayer is most dear to Sandy’s heart and she leads a group on Sunday mornings before the service in praying for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to move in our midst.
