Rev. Richard L. Richie – Pastor
Rev. Richard L. Richie was born at Fort Benning, Georgia and raised in Merritt Island, Florida where his father was a NASA Engineer for the Apollo Space Program. Richie later attended James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia where he was Student Body President his Senior Year and a 3-year Letterman on the Robinson Ram Football Team. Richie went on to attend and graduate from Auburn University (1984-1988) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management. In and following college, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense Industry for over seven years as a Logistician and Task Manager for numerous U.S. Army, Navy, & Marine programs. Feeling the call to enter the full-time Christian Ministry, Richie left secular employment to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1996. He later conducted Doctoral Studies at Southern Seminary as well.
As Pastor of Blue Springs Baptist Church, Richie has faithfully served the church since 2015. Richie is also currently serving as a Substitute Teacher for Hartselle City and Morgan County School Districts. Additionally, he is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Alabama Baptist Pastor’s Conference. Richie has pastored for over 30 years, serving churches in Alabama, Maryland, Indiana and Virginia. Richie is currently an Executive Committee Member and former Finance Chairman of the Morgan Baptist Association, in North Alabama. Richie has also previously served as a Member of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and as a Trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Richie is married to the former Toni A. Leigh of Shreveport, LA who is an R.N. – Infectious Disease/Epidemiology Investigator for the Alabama Department of Public Health. The couple resides in Hartselle, Alabama where they have three wonderful boys, Robert, Nathan, & William, ages 20, 19, & 13.
Joe Rogers – Minister of Music & Worship + Minister of Students
I’m truly blessed and humble to be the Minister of Music/Worship and Minister of Students at Blue Springs Baptist Church since 2024.
I would like to share with you a little bit about myself and my family. I was born and raised in Alabama by my Grandmother whose words I live by today. You have to bless before being Blessed.
God has also blessed me with a best friend, my wife Jennifer, who is a Registered Nurse. We also have two children of our own: a daughter who is a registered nurse in Mississippi as well as a daughter who is in 1st grade. As Licensed foster parents for the past 9 years we have taken in 33 children from the State of Alabama Foster Care system.
I was brought up in the Assemblies of God church where I developed a love for Jesus and traditional, gospel music. I started singing at the age of 3 years old, the same year I lost my Father. I have also sang with several Southern Gospel groups.
I have served as an outreach and missions team leader, led hospital and nursing home singings, and been a part of international missions work in Guatemala. Eventually, I was led to lead and direct worship services in numerous churches where I also developed and directed Easter and Christmas drama productions.
In addition to my love of music, My passion is helping children of all ages. To this end, I have led several youth programs, Bible studies, and Vacation Bible Schools as an unpaid volunteer, serving where no one else was willing to serve.
I have an extensive background with experience in photography, videography, social media, & marketing. I have been awarded Emmy, Telly, & Associated Press awards for my photojournalism work. Previously, I served as a Photo Production Manager for a major Cruise Line in Honolulu, Hawaii and trained with the United States Coast Guard at Piney Point, Maryland. While continuing to serve Blue Springs Baptist Church, I am also a National and State Certified EMT.
As I serve as the youth pastor, I would like to focus on the individual development of each youth and who they are before they are head off into this big world post-graduation. I would like to make an investment into their future by ensuring they have a strong foundation of faith and they know God will be there with them every step of the way. My desire is that regardless of one’s age, race or background everyone will feel welcomed and loved in this church home. I pray they will hear, read and know the truth of God’s word and courageously live it out each day into adulthood, knowing they are supported by their faith community here at Blue Springs Baptist.
Our youth ministry for 7th grade and older is called F.O.C.U.S.
Focus on Jesus
Obey God
Connect with others
Use your gifts
Share with faith.
I look forward to meeting new faces as I serve our Lord through ministry at Blue Springs Baptist for years to come. God Bless.
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Brandy Truss – Director of Children’s Ministries
Biography – To Be Provided
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Priscilla Russell – Pianist
Biography – To Be Provided
Rev. Richard L. Richie was born at Fort Benning, Georgia and raised in Merritt Island, Florida where his father was a NASA Engineer for the Apollo Space Program. Richie later attended James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia where he was Student Body President his Senior Year and a 3-year Letterman on the Robinson Ram Football Team. Richie went on to attend and graduate from Auburn University (1984-1988) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management. In and following college, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense Industry for over seven years as a Logistician and Task Manager for numerous U.S. Army, Navy, & Marine programs. Feeling the call to enter the full-time Christian Ministry, Richie left secular employment to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1996. He later conducted Doctoral Studies at Southern Seminary as well.