Pastor Jeff serves as the overseer of Well Spring church (formerly Barak Bible Fellowship Church) and is currently the executive pastor of Bethlehem Temple of Praise in Wayne, MI. This year Pastor Richardson celebrates 35 years of preaching and 21 years of pastoral ministry. Pastor Jeff has a unique preaching style that brings hope, healing and deliverance to hurting people. His passion as a pastor is finding ways of making worship meaningful to all generations. He uses his musical background, along with varied, inspirational, and imaginative liturgies to keep the congregation’s attention. Besides this, many report that his sense of humor and compassionate nature are an added plus to his spiritual leadership.

 

Nationally, he has served as a Music Coordinator for the National Inspirational Youth Convention (‘94-‘97). Locally, he served as the chairman of Cleveland Unity Fellowship of the Church of God (‘96-‘99). Pastor Richardson continues to serve the church-at-large as a revival speaker and music workshop clinician. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Southern California School of Ministry. He also has an Accounting degree and has worked in the Advertising, Commercial Banking and Insurance Industries. Pastor Jeff is currently completing a Master of Divinity and Master in Clinical Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary. He has been happily married to his wife and ministry partner, Carmela for over 25 years. Together, they are blessed with two sons, Jayson, 24 and Caleb, 19.

 

The Bethlehem Temple of Praise would like to convey to the Community our overwhelming love and respect for our Pastors, Jeffrey and Carmela Richardson. We invite you and your family to our 11:00 am service at 3789 Venoy Road, in Wayne, MI 48184. 

 

Pastor Jeffrey A. Richardson was born September 20, 1963. He was influenced musically by both his parents and was surrounded by an extended family of artists and sculptors. He started playing the piano at age 7, and wrote his first song at age 10. Greatly influenced by a godly mother, he received Jesus Christ as Savior at an early age and fell in love with God and His people. In 1988, he accepted the call to pastoral ministry and he was ordained (Church of God, Anderson, IN).

 

In 1986, he married Carmela (McClendon) Richardson, and a dynamic ministry team was birthed. They served on the pastoral staff of the First Church of God, under Bishop Benjamin Reid for seven years. In 1992, they were sent from Los Angeles, CA to Cleveland, OH to a traditional church congregation that was in need of leadership. There Pastor ”Carm” served in many ministerial and administrative roles in the congregation.

 

She Established a women's ministry, bible class and outreach ministries. Her gift of administration, teaching and a prophetic anointing became evident to all that experienced her ministry. It was during these years that she accepted her call to pastoral ministry. In March of 2000, she and her husband started Barak Bible Fellowship Church, where she serves in the capacity of Co-Pastor.