Rev. Richard Counts

Let me start from the beginning. I was born in Philadelphia, PA and lived across the bridge in south Jersey.  I was  7 years old when the Lord took my dad home to be with Him and a couple of years later I got a step dad.  He has been in my life now for 40 plus years. We were a small family just one other sister named Cheri.  When I was 7 years old I accepted Christ as my Lord & Savior around a camp fire in Dover Delaware at Camp Sandy Hill.  When I was in 8th grade we moved to Lynchburg Va.  I was 17 when me and 700 other high school students from my church were at a youth conference given by Wayne Swearigen and God placed a call on my heart to the ministry. I met my beautiful wife Lora on  a mission trip to Haiti  the summer before my senior year. We have been married now for 31 1/2 years and have 4 great kids and soon to have #9 & 10 grand children.  I started college during my senior year of high school and finished up a few years ago.  I attended Liberty University & New Orleans Baptist Seminary & Florida Blble college and finished up with my Bachelors of Theology and Masters of Theology degree  at Slidell Baptist Seminary. Having children at 19 years old makes college a tough row to hoe but God has always seen me through. I served as music minister, children's minister and youth pastor for several years until I surrendered to preach & pastor in 2000.  God being a great God called us to South Dakota.  We came to South Dakota sight unseen and have been here at Black Hills Baptist church now for almost 10 years. I believe in sharing Jesus with everyone and then helping them to mature into the believer God intended for them to become.  The Christian life is full of hardships and great joy. In John 10:10 Jesus said that He came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly.  We serve a risen Savior who definitely has a sense of humor (amen?).  I enjoy serving my Master.  We became foster parents 6 years ago and have helped 9 children during tough transitions in their lives.  I have found that the Lord is the best to help in every change that comes. Like I tell our congregation change is the only constant in ministry.  It is my desire to reach the lost for Christ then grow them in Christ and then send them out for Christ.  Come join us and help us reach the Black Hills for Jesus.