The Rev. Dr. Richard Wright.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — First United Methodist Church of Moultrie recently welcomed a new pastor.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Wright moved to Moultrie in mid-June, a church spokeswoman said, and his first Sunday as the new pastor was June 20.

Wright — who goes by Pastor Rich — is an ordained elder in the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he has served churches from small to large and from rural to urban. His degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Columbus College (Columbus, Georgia), a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia), and a Doctor of Ministry in Evangelism and Missions from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Austin, Texas). 

Prior to ordained ministry, he served 15 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. He is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He has also been an entrepreneur of two businesses and worked for several years with two international logistics corporations. 

Wright is a noted author, speaker, and teacher on church growth and personal spiritual growth. His books, “Stop the Church Revolving Doors,” “Help, I’m Lost: The Wanderer’s Guide to Salvation” and “Prayer Expedition at Epworth by the Sea,” help churches and people move forward in participating with God in Kingdom-building through the use of their spiritual gifts and their church’s ministries. His website at www.drrichardmwright.com has more information on his books. 

Wright “has served in several denominational leadership positions including leadership development, church growth and revitalization, clergy mentoring, ministry visioning, and ministry planning,” the church said in a press release. “His ministry has been described as focusing on empowering lay people to be the Christian servants that God needs them to be so they can be effective witnesses of the good news of Christ with all people. Dr. Wright is very passionate about individuals and churches finding their purpose in God’s Kingdom and developing the means to pursue those purposes.”

One church member said, “Pastor Rich is a dynamic preacher who helps us understand and apply the scriptures to our lives. He is a wonderful teacher who shows us the golden nuggets in scripture so we can use them in our service to God and our community. His passion to share the good news of Christ is contagious to our church members.” 

Wright and his wife, Ruth, have been married more than 35 years and have one daughter (Rebecca).