Pastor Richard W. Pickering, Sr. is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Raised in a Christian home, he accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. Pastor Pickering has a mission to help others obtain permanent success through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the husband of Dr. Felicia Mullins Pickering and the proud father of son and daughter, RJ and Rayne.

After graduating from the Charleston County School System, where he is a proud member of the Burke High School class of 1993, Pastor Pickering moved to Rock Hill, SC where he attended Winthrop University. While attending Winthrop, Pastor Pickering earned a BS Degree in Biology and a Minor in Secondary Education. Using those degrees and fulfilling his passion to help youth, Pastor Pickering has worked in Rock Hill School District Three in various teaching and administrative positions since 1998.

Pastor Pickering also earned a Master of Educational Administration Degree from Anderson University. He currently serves as the Dean of Student Leadership at SouthPointe High School.

Pastor Pickering has been a positive advocate to the Rock Hill and surrounding communities. He has served as a Unit Director for the Boys and Girls Club of York County and Executive Director of the Teen Health Center of York County. Pastor Pickering created a community-based basketball league (Community H.O.O.P.S.) that was an alternative to negative behavior, and he has created several school-based and community mentoring programs that have helped many young boys and girls.

While teaching, Pastor Pickering answered a call to Christian Ministry and furthered his education earning a Master of Ministry Degree from Anderson University. He has been ministering since 2007 and in 2016, he became the Pastor of Langrum Branch Baptist Church after the retirement of his mentor, Rev. Osbey Roddey. Pastor Pickering has a passion to love God’s people and share the good news of Jesus Christ. As a Pastor it is his desire to preach the word of God with C.A.R.E. (Clarity, Authority, Relevance, and Expectation).

As Matthew states, “ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill and cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16,KJV).