Rev. Richard Bernard Black, joins us with a distinguished military and ministerial career as a senior  pastor, supervisory chaplain, and enlisted airmen in the United States Air Force.  A seasoned leader, dedicated family man, anointed preacher,  and humble servant of God, he pastors with a heart for discipleship, congregational growth, and social justice that have been nurtured and developed throughout his 20 years of ministry.  Reverend Black comes from a family of ministry leaders, preachers and teachers in the Methodist and Pentecostal traditions. Born in Gallatin, Tennessee, Reverend Black was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1994.   During his youth he acknowledged his call to ministry, and prepared for his future service to the men and women of the United States Air Force.  Reverend Black received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from Tennessee State University.  His deep respect for the Methodist tradition led him to pursue seminary preparation at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.  Rev. Black received his Masters of Divinity in Black Church Studies and Homiletics from the Chandler School of Theology, Emory University. Always committed to perfecting the gifts that God has given him, Rev. Black is currently in the final stages of completing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas. Reverend Black began his pastoral ministry as associate pastor of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.  During his time at Emmanuel, Rev. Black provided significant leadership to the growth of the congregation resulting in the completion of a $2.5 million dollar sanctuary building project. He was soon recognized for his pastoral and leadership skills and given charge of the St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Flatonia,Texas where he served as Senior Pastor. Reverend Black has led the Air Force Chaplain Corps in its service to the spiritual needs of the military community since his commissioning as a chaplain in 1997. Using his experiences as an enlisted airmen in the Air Force from 1983-1992, Rev. Black has served as Director of Special Programs for the Basic Military Training (BMT) Chapel at Lackland Air Force Base, Gospel Service Pastor, Laughlin AFB,TX and Yokota Air Base, Japan.  Reverend Black’s passion for serving God’s people has been recognized and awarded in his selection to special assignments within the Chaplain Corps. Rev. Black was appointed to Arlington National Cemetery where he served as Chaplain with the United States Honor Guard. In September 2007, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  In 2008 he was promoted to the rank of  Major at Andrews Air Force Base where he serves as the Senior Protestant Chaplain. In that capacity, Chaplain Black provides spiritual care for a joint base population of 10,000 Department of Defense personnel and their families. He supervises  a chapel staff of 20 employees, 3 buildings, 6 worship services, 3 children’s churches and 2 religious education departments. Reverend Black is committed to the ministry of social justice and maintains active involvement in several community organizations.  He is a volunteer Chaplain for the Charles County Sheriff’s office and Maryland’s State Trooper H-Barrack.  He is also a member of 100 Black Men of Greater Washington D. C. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  A sports enthusiasts, Rev. Black is a volunteer coach and mentor with several Charles County football and baseball teams.