Rich was born and raised in Martin, TN. He was raised in a Christian home with godly parents who were members of First Baptist Church. Rich heard the gospel regularly and trusted in Christ when he was sixteen. After college, he moved to Memphis, TN in 2008 to begin his theological studies at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his MDiv (2011) and his PhD in Theology (2014). In 2011, Park Avenue Church called Rich to serve as the Senior Pastor, the role he continues serving in today. He also enjoys training pastors and teaching theology. He taught for Bethlehem College and Seminary from 2018 to 2024 (Memphis location). Rich currently teaches as an adjunct professor for Union University’s Master of Arts in Bible and Theology program at the Memphis extension. He's written two books, Mending the Nets and Shepherding the Pastor. Rich is married to his beautiful wife Kristy and they have four children.