Dr. Richard James, Th. D. 

"Pastor Richard"

Richard James was born (the youngest of three children), in Redding, California, to Pastor James and Grace James.  Pastor James James and his wife Grace were missionaries to the North American Indians.  For the first 15 years of Richard’s life, they traveled from Florida to California, as his father evangelized and built churches for them.

Pastor James James was an early pioneer in the Pentecostal movement along with Dr. Richard E. Anderson, of whom Richard was named for.  Many years were spent on the 'road less traveled' by ministers such as these so that we would know so much more of the Holy Spirit.  (Note:  Dr. R. E. Anderson subsequently founded the School of Bible Theology (SBTSU) and breaking away from the denominational influence, established the Pentecostal Assemblies of God of America (PAGA.org).

In 1956, Pastor James James, felt called back to Redding and built a church on Lake Blvd. which is still functioning today.  Pastor James James was a man of great faith and prayer and instilled this same faith and prayerfulness into his youngest son.  Growing up, Richard was privileged to witness many miracles of God; the most significant was seeing God restore life back into his mother.

In those days when illness occurred, doctors were few and far between, so believing, Pastor James and Grace would “pray through” until healing took place.  When other needs, more often than not, financial needs, Pastor James would be found praying, then proclaiming God would provided... and He would! 

With this rich legacy and the call of God upon his life, Richard James "ran" like so many of us do, but found he could not outrun the calling that God had upon his life.  Once reconcilled and rededicated to the Lord, Richard stepped out on the road that would prepare him for the work that God had called him to do. 

Richard married Patsy Higgins on November  18, 1965.  He and Pat have two beautiful daughters, Lisa (Hendrickson) and Trisha (Mortimore), both married with children of their own. 

Richard worked a total of 34 years with Simpson Paper Company.  Twenty-five of those years were in hourly, and the remaining years in management. During that time, Simpson Paper Company allowed him to work for the United Paper Workers International Union while maintaining his benefits and tenure.

Richard and his young family attended a church in Central Valley for many, many years.  It was there that the Lord began to form the person that would one day pastor a church of his own.  Pastor Richard was active in church-life in many facets

He has served on the Board of Deacons in two local Redding churches, for 12 years for the Pentecostal Church of God, then for 15 years at Bethel. Pastor Richard also served as a teacher in both churches, the most significant experience to him were his years teaching an interdenominational singles group.

In 1994, Pastor Richard went to work for Bethel Assembly of God during their building project as the Administrator and Financial Officer for the church, during which time he received his ordination.  Pastor Richard graduated the School of Bible Theology with a bachelor's degree on October 4, 1997, then received his ordination from Faith Tabernacle Ministries on October 9, 1998.

After three years with Bethel, Simpson asked Pastor Richard to return to work in management until 1997 when he felt God call him to pastor Destiny Fellowship. 

On April 5, 2005, Pastor Richard received his  Doctorate in Theology from the School of Bible Theology.  This was a marvelous occasion, and was celebrated, but Pastor Richard stayed simply "Pastor Richard".  His heart is that of a shepherd to a flock of sheep.  A kind and gentle man that doesn't know a stranger or turn away someone in need.  His heart is to do the work of the Lord and fulfill the great commission to reach a dying world for Jesus Christ.