About Us

Richard was saved February 1, 1978 after hearing the gospel twice the same day from two sources while stationed in South Korea in the US Air Force.

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He returned to the USA in May of 1978 and was stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS. He began attending Glenville Bible Baptist Church where he met and married his wife, Brenda. Brenda accepted Christ as Savior in 1971 as a high school student. She attended Baptist Bible College, receiving her Christian Education degree (1978), then a Bachelor of Science degree in 2008. They have two daughters, Adrienne and Angela. Adrienne is married to Daniel Gibbs and they have two daughters, Taylor and Savannah. Angela is married to Daniel Eisman and they have two children, Abigail and Elijah.

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After 8 years in the US Air Force, Richard surrendered his life to full-time ministry and attended Word of Life Bible Institute and School of Youth Ministries from 1983-85 in Schroon Lake, NY. He was the Youth/Bus Director at Glenville Bible Baptist Church in Wichita, KS from 1985-1990. In 1990 Richard and Brenda moved to Jacksonville, FL where he served as Youth Director and Associate Pastor at First Coast Baptist Church. From 1997 to 2001 they had the privilege to serve as BBFI missionaries to Kenya, East Africa alongside Jon and Pam Konnerup. They returned to the USA in October 2001 to be on staff at First Coast Baptist in Jacksonville, FL. The church called Richard as pastor in September 2002, where he served in that role until January 31, 2017.

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The Edwards arrived in Owasso, OK on December 16, 2018 where they have served in the Senior Adult Ministry at Friendship Baptist Church. They will serve in this capacity until their reinstatement as BBFI missionaries in May 2026, at which time they will raise their monthly support and be ready for their first relief ministry opportunity. During his time at Friendship, Richard was able to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies degree through the on-line course at Baptist Bible College, graduating in May 2023.