Biographical Sketch of Pastor Louise Richardson
Background/Family: Born in Tuskegee, Alabama to the late Willie Mitchell and Hattie Mitchell Davis (Church Mother of Wynnton Road Church of God In Christ of Columbus, GA). She is the wife of Bishop Abe Richardson, Jr. and has 3 daughters, 2 sons, and 7 grandchildren.
Education: Graduate of Columbus High School, (Columbus, GA) Saints Jr. College in Lexington, Mississippi (Crowned Queen of COGIC College 1967); attended Columbus College, Graduate of First Born Seminary and Training School in Waycross, GA in Christian Education (1987); Graduate of Columbus Institute ( Business Education)1989; May 19, 1995 Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society Graduate of Parkland College (Dean's List all A's); Major: Data Information Processing.
Pastor Louise completed her Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Administrations, May 25, 1998 in a special graduation ceremony at the University of Illinois.
Profession: Worked as Special Education Instructor; Secretary IV at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign; Previously worked for Columbus Government Center in Columbus, GA as Secretary to METRA Transportation Director; Secretary to Deputy Marshal; Secretary to State Representative/Attorney; and Metro Columbus Urban League.
Church Affiliations: Became church musician at the age of 7 at Wynnton Road Church of God In Christ in Columbus, GA; Filled with the Holy Ghost age 10; State Sunday School Musician for Northern Georgia Jurisdiction (Bishop J. Howard Dell and Supt. H. G. Ellison); Church Minister of Music in Georgia, Texas, California, and Illinois; prior to moving to Illinois in 1989 served in the following capacities during tenure at Zion Tabernacle First Born Church: Church Missionary, Asst. Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary, Eufaula District Minister of Music, Minister of Music, Youth Director, Appointed by Senior Bishop Albert Hill of the First Born Church to serve as Music Coordinator for Chapel Services at the National Headquarters Seminary School during summer sessions; and Mid-South Diocese Hospitality Director. Upon moving to Champaign, IL in 1989 and uniting with Greater Holy Temple in Urbana, IL served on the Minister's Board, Minister of Music, Asst. Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary, and was chosen "Woman of the Year" 1990 by Apostle Larry C. Simmons. Presently pastors with husband, serving as Senior Pastor for Living Faith Ministries. Pastor Louise serves with husband in ministerial fellowships with Kenneth Copeland Ministries; PHIPA (Potter's House International Pastors Association) with Bishop T. D. Jakes; MICA (Monument International Churches Association) with Dr. (Apostle) Richard D. Henton; and also formerly served as Illinois State Representative for Azusa Fellowship.
Community Involvement: Past: W.E.F.T. Radio "Breaking of the Bread," U of I Religious Leaders Association; Religious Leaders Concerned Care; Matthew House 18 Board Member; Empty Tomb; Secretary on the Board of Directors for True Vine Recreation Center; Song Leader for Champaign County Women's Aglo; and Empty Tomb.
Present: Jesus Is The Way Prison Ministry; Board of Director for Word of Christ Ministries and Abounding Love Ministries; Certified Clergywoman with Illinois State Department of Corrections; Volunteer Chaplain for Champaign County Jail and local hospitals; serves on the National Day of Prayer Committee, the Pastor's Prayer Network, and various other community organizations.
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Biographical Sketch
Pastor Louise Richardson
Accomplishments: Recipient of "Echelon Ministries Music Award" in Las Vegas, NV 1994; Sponsored by U. S. Armed Forces for Revival in Germersheim, West Germany (June 1984);
Nominated by Columbus Institute with biography in United States Achievement Academy 1990 Collegiate Directory Vol 5 pp 67, 168; National Commemorative Certificate for "National Award Winner" of the United States Achievement Academy in Business Administration; Certification in Special Education (Champaign School District 1991); Sworn in as "Honorary Deputy Marshal" last
week of residency in Columbus, GA. Received over 100 awards/certificates/plagues/trophies to
include gold and silver medals from the U. S. Army at Ft. Sill, OK for music and humanitarian ser-
vice; Won 1st place three consecutive years as member of youth gospel group "Temperettes" recording original composition of "He's Done So Much For Me" at the age of 15 ( W.O.K.S. Radio Sweepstake Gospel Spectacular); Sang on W.O.K.S. Gospel Hour each Sunday Morning; TV 3 "Song In My Heart Best Female Vocalist Award" 1975 ( Columbus, GA); Recorded with Texas Northeast State COGIC Choir with Mattie Moss Clark, James Cleveland, and Douglas Miller; Hosted radio program "Louise Sings" K.F.M.K. (Houston, TX); Age 16 won One Year Voice Scholarship with Lilly Garret Music Studio as a result of participating in Buffalo, New York Voice Contest at the National Baptist Convention of Gospel Choruses and Choirs (Dr. Thomas E. Dorsey, President); Ministered in revivals and/or speaking engagements in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Canada, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Hawaii, Indiana, Indianapolis, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Maryland/Washington area, Washington State and Nova Scotia (Halifax) Canada. As a result of spending Christmas '93 and Wedding Anniversary in Amersfoort, Holland and Paris, France, she and her husband were sponsored May '94 by U. S. Armed Forces (Belgium) to attend Euro-Spirit '94 in Amsterdam, Holland; conducted Family Enrichment Seminar at the Military Chapel in Shape, Belgium followed by Consecration of husband as International Bishop; invited for future Family Enrichment Seminars in Africa, Germany, and Italy; She and her husband have facilitated Marriage Seminars in various states and abroad.
Author/Publisher: Pastor Richardson is the co-author of "When a Husband Loves His Wife as Christ Loved the Church" (published April 2003) with his husband, Bishop Abe Richardson, and is the author of "The Church we Need for the World We're In."
Governmental Awards: Presented Resolution and the Key to the City of Detroit, Michigan, November 21, 1993; Proclamations/ Resolutions from the White House (President Clinton) Proclamations/Resolutions from the Governor's Office in Springfield, IL; Proclamations/ Resolutions from Mayors of Champaign and Urbana, IL; and Columbus, GA for "Outstanding Community Service."
Immediate Goal: To continue working full-time with husband in the ministry; and author more books and publications.
Hobbies: Playing piano, singing; playing board games with husband (Bishop Richardson), traveling around the world for (ministry and personal) cruising, and enjoying the children and grandchildren.
Future Goal: To continue walking in God's divine purpose that the Lord has set forth for her life.