Pastoral Profiles

Steve has been our Senior Pastor since July 2003. Born in Leeds, England, Steve came to us via Idaho and a couple of other places. He graduated from Point Loma Nazarene College with a B.A. in Biblical Theology, and received a Master of Arts degree in Missiology. Steve first felt God’s call into full time ministry while living in London, England in 1975. This call was again confirmed during the summer of 1984 while on a mission trip to the Republic of South Africa. It was also on this mission trip that Steve met his future bride, Annette. They were married in 1989 and have been blessed with two beautiful children, Elizabeth & Matthew. Steve loves his family! He also loves the Kansas City Chiefs. But his passion is Jesus, his Savior & Lord!

Born and raised in Yakima, WA, Chris was brought up in the Catholic Church. When he was 15 years old he received Christ into his life after someone invited him to a youth worship service. Shortly after, he felt called into ministry, however he did not accept that call until the age of 19 when he surrendered his life and future to the Lord. Chris attended Northwest Nazarene University and graduated in 2004 with a BA in Religion with a specific emphasis in Youth Ministry. After NNU he served as Youth Pastor in the small town of Pomeroy, WA. In January of 2008, after much prayer and seeking of the Lord’s will, he came on staff with us here in Richland. On August 8th of 2003 he married the love of my life, Kristen. On February 16th of 2007 they were blessed with their first child and daughter, Chloe Joy. The passion of his life is loving his family and loving the Lord. Christ has changed his life forever and he feels called to introduce others into the life changing and life saving encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ. Within that call, Chris has a specific passion and burden for the youth of today. He believes they are the future of the church and that we need to treat them and equip them as such.

James joined the staff at Richland First Church of the Nazarene in February of 2004. Born in Richland and growing up in the Benton City Church of the Nazarene, he graduated from Northwest Nazarene University in 1987 with a degree in Biology. James has a God given love for children which has been enriched and deepened for nearly 20 years. His single-minded love for children has been the main purpose of his life and ministry at Richland First Church as a volunteer. James and his wife Debbi, have served in the children’s department of Richland First since 1987. They have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lindsey and Kelsey. James enjoys being together with his family and serving the kids and families of the church. His vision is to see whole families connected. See children's activities here.

Denzil was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio to John and Myrtle Dodds. His was a large family of nine children (eight boys and one girl). Denzil was first introduced to Christ through the bus ministry of the New Hampshire, Ohio Church of the Nazarene. Later a Tent Meeting Evangelism event with the ole sawdust trail, roughly made altar and benches was used to start the Northside Indianlake Church of the Nazarene (Lakeview, Ohio). The Northside church is where Denzil met and fell in love with the former Kay Ann Griffiths. Denzil and Kay were married in the Northside Church. They have two children, a daughter Annette, wife of the Reverend Stephen Morley and a son, Chad, who resides in Houston, Texas. The Dodds have two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Matthew Morley. Denzil received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio and a degree of Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Following graduation from Seminary Denzil and Kay took their first Nazarene pastorate in Mansfield, Ohio. Four years later, Nazarene World Mission, Kansas City, Missouri, appointed them missionaries. During their missionary tenure they served in the Republic of South Africa and Nigeria. Before coming to Richland Denzil was the Associate Pastor of Silver Valley Church of the Nazarene, Kellogg, Idaho. Denzil enjoys bicycling, walking, football (the spectator portion) and reading biographies of great Christians.

Amy joined the staff at Richland First Church in March of 2006 after serving as their volunteer Compassionate Ministry director since 1999. Amy received a call to formal ministry and is currently enrolled in the Modular Course of Study. Amy works as Pastor of Compassionate Outreach, providing care and visitation to church and community members. She also serves as the Executive Director of Jericho Road Ministries, a crisis ministry serving Tri-Cities. Amy and her husband Marlin have been married since 1979. They have 4 adult children, 2 granddaughters and one dog who is the “baby” of the family. Amy enjoys singing, drawing, writing and sewing. Her favorite things are strong coffee and front porch sitting.