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Leading With Innovation

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By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 1, 2008

BRANDON - The Rev. Charles "Chuck" Richard lives with a sense of urgency and purpose, as if life is far too important to waste on half measures.

It's a credo he applies to faith, family, work and fun.

"My favorite scripture reads, 'So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,'" he said, quoting from I Corinthians 10:31. "I enjoy my life."

Richard, 59, came to Brandon in 1982, when he was called to lead the congregation at Kings Avenue Baptist Church. "We had 82 members back then," he said. "Today, the number is around 300."

The innovative ministries at Kings Avenue reflect Richards' personal vibrancy. They include events such as Creatures of Creation, which incorporated rescued exotic animals into a Christian outreach mission that visited the church last month; an upcoming presentation by noted powerlifter Margaret Kirkland of Sarasota; and the perennial Walk Through Bethlehem, a re-enactment of the birth of Christ.

Although not large by numerical measures, the church makes a significant impact in the community. "Four to five thousand people participate in the Walk Through Bethlehem every December," Richard said. "It's a great opportunity to share the story of Jesus."

It's a story that has guided the pastor's life since he was a child in Sunday school.

"I was raised in Orlando. My dad was Catholic, and my mother Methodist. I knew I wanted to do something with my life that had eternal significance. Eventually, that led to a call to ministry."

Richard was always involved in sports, so his parents promised him "the car of my choice" if he completed college on a full scholarship.

He did just that, playing linebacker for the University of Miami and graduating in 1971. But a year before that, the car plans hit a potential dead end.

"My third year, my mom said, 'You're going to have a baby brother,'" he said. "I knew there would be no car."

Richard's response was emblematic of the man he was becoming. "I was in the ROTC," he said. "I saved every penny I made and I purchased my own car when I graduated. I've got a little brother, and I still drive the Corvette."

Richard graduated as a 2nd lieutenant. He moved to Augusta, Ga., for military police training before the Vietnam War wound down and he was discharged.

"I met my wife in Augusta," he said. "Then I worked a variety of jobs around Orlando before we went out to Texas to prepare for ministry."

One Orlando job was a stint on the Jungle Cruise at Disney World. He can still rattle off his lines: "Welcome aboard danger-lovers and thrill seekers ... ."

In 1973, Richard married Sharr-an Rojas and enrolled in Dallas Theological Seminary. "Graduate school was hard work," he said. "But I wanted to get the best theological education available."

The experience confirmed his deep love of scripture, and his ministry has been shaped and empowered by a profound commitment to God's word.

"I moved to Tampa in 1977 to work as associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Lutz," he said. "It was a good experience of preparation. Then, in 1982, we came to Kings Avenue. This church is a great place to be loved unconditionally and to grow in faith. I'm not one to just sit back. I'm going to make you think and - hopefully - inspire you to action."

Richard sees the pastor's role as that of equipper and motivator.

"We're all soldiers in God's army," he said. "We each have specific roles, but we're all responsible for sharing the message and preparing for the battle ahead."

The Gospel still motivates him.

"The only way that we can improve our society is by bringing people into the kingdom," he said. "This is a broken world, and the only way is the way of Jesus."

He still enjoys Brandon immensely and believes this is where God wants him to minister. "I want to be where I'm used by God to the most of the abilities given me.

"We want to cultivate an environment of receptivity here," he said, "one where God says 'I love you with all my heart but I don't ignore sin,' a church family where the word of God is preached and people are reached for Christ."

MEET CHARLES M. RICHARD

Senior Pastor, Kings Avenue Baptist Church, Brandon

BORN: Orlando, 1949

EDUCATION: Edgewater High School, Orlando; University of Miami, bachelor's degree; Dallas Theological Seminary, master's degree

MARRIED: Sharr-an Rojas, 1973

CHILDREN: Cassie, 30; Chaz, 27; Chelsee, 22

MOVED TO BRANDON: 1982

MILESTONE: Once shot a hole-in-one at the Bloomingdale Golfers Club, hole No. 13

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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