Reverend Rick Epps was born December 9, 1952 in Lexington, Mississippi, but was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois from the age of 2. He attended Cornell University, where he received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in General Theological Studies from Columbia Bible College and Seminary.
He acknowledged his call to the Gospel Ministry and was licensed to preach in 1987 and ordained in 1989. Under the Rev. W. K. Berry at McGee Chapel Baptist Church, he served as pastor of Outreach & Evangelism where his most endeared responsibilities included visiting and giving communion to the sick and shut-in.
Following this assignment, he then was name Pastor of Christian Education. In this role, he was responsible for the administration of the whole Sunday school department, the mission, and the men brotherhood ministry. Prior to taking on the pastor’s responsibilities, Rev. Epps taught the Brotherhood for nearly seven years. He also started the Church’s marriage ministry.
Reverend Epps was transferred by his employer to Charleston, West Virginia in 1997. There he became an assistant to the Pastor. Besides being given the opportunity to utilize and refine his preaching, Rev. Epps also found time to teach hermeneutics and work with the youth department.
On January 6, 1975 he married Muriel Denise Green, From this union came two sons, Ricky Jr. and Marcus Dwayne and a daughter Marissa Diane.
Following this assignment, he then was named Pastor of Christian Education. In this role, he was responsible for the administration of the whole.