Pastor Richmond
About Pastor
After countless years of living comfortably on Easy Street, Richmond’s life was turned upside down during the infamous 2008 Great Recession. The crisis introduced devastating financial hardships that put excessive strains on his family and marriage. Perhaps the supporting actors in your drama suspense likewise have been Pain, Loneliness and Longsuffering.
If we can be completely transparent, can you agree with me that the struggle is real?
Faith under pressure
Like Richmond, have you ever survived week to week off McDonald’s dollar menu and free Wi-Fi? Were you ever troubled about where to get $10 for your child’s upcoming field trip? How many times have you palmed your Quest EBT card at the local grocery store to protect your dignity and conceal your humanity? Can you count the number of times that you wrestled with the elusiveness of quality affordable healthcare or retreated to a parked car just to be alone with God?
If you ever hugged your pillow because you had nobody else to behold, then you’ve been there. You feel me?
Underemployed to 6 Figures
Richmond’s faith has been tested in the fire. But he has come out unscathed, and is observably much better than he was before the trial. Perhaps you also know what it feels like to see no foreseeable escape from present realities. In desperate need to move forward, you observe the crowd moving left. But your family insists on turning right. And through it all, the church unconvincingly says stay still, as months become years and real breakthrough is just beyond a hand’s reach. Having been humbled and restored, Pastor Richmond is anointed, equipped and eager to snatch you out of the fire.
Following the call of God and a decade of ministerial leadership, Richmond founded River of Life Church during the spring of 2023 to be your helping hand. As is written concerning the end of your dry season, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” (1 Kings 18:41-46).
Key takeaways concerning real breakthrough:
- Your pastor overcame severe life challenges, including financial struggles, heartache and marital stress.
- His faith has remained strong, as he emerged with a circumcised heart and sincere desire to help others.
- God strategically positions and equips individuals who overcome diversity to help lead others out of similar situations. (e.g., Moses)
- God has purposed and prepared your pastor and church to usher you out of your dry season.
- River of Life Church was founded with the aim of helping you overcome real life problems.
- Power is evident when we see injustices addressed, lives changed, and love manifested in action. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
Pastor Richmond received a Jesuit education from Marquette University, which emphasizes the four C’s of human excellence: Conscience, Competence, Compassion, and Commitment. He continued to shape and refine his Christian education through graduate studies at Concordia University.
As a lifelong learner, Pastor Richmond appreciates the knowledge of spiritual and world systems. He is equally proficient in biblical studies and business administration. Rev. Izard sat under the leadership and tutelage of Bishop Darrell Hines, Bishop Nathaniel Stampley and Bishop Sedgwick Daniels. He earned ministerial credentials from Least of These International Ministries (LOTIM), as well as the Herron‐Hudson Bible Institute. He received his ministerial license in 2009 and ordination in 2011.
- 30 years of progressive community service as a volunteer, community advocate, mentor, Christian counselor, ordained minister, non-profit board member, Chairman of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging, etc.
- 14 years of ministerial leadership, including preaching, teaching and pastoral care.
- An innovative systems thinker with comprehensive experience improving operational performance in corporate, public and nonprofit sectors. Strong problem‐solving, presentation and communication skills essential to leading collaborative teams. Served as an auditor, business manager and acting director of administration, overseeing employee and organizational efficiency.
- Chief delegate overseeing strategic planning, project management and continuous improvement for $23M division in Milwaukee Public Schools.
Licensed [2009] and Ordained [2011] by Church of God in Christ, Inc. Licensed [2009] and Ordained [2009] by Least of These International Ministries, Inc.
Clergy and Lay Ministry Assignments
- Prevailing Ministries Church, Ordained Elder [2015 ‐ 22]
- Word of Grace Fellowship Church, Collaborative Neighborhood Street Ministry ‐ Evangelist [2016]
- Resurrection Life Worship Center Church, Ordained Elder [2012 ‐ 15]
- Heritage International Ministries Church, Senior‐Pastor‐in‐Training [2012], Youth Pastor [2009 ‐ 10], Church Administrator [2011 ‐ 12]
- Christian Faith Fellowship Church, Usher [2007 ‐ 08]
- New Testament Church, Technology Committee Member [2000 ‐ 01]
- Cross Lutheran Church, Youth Counselor Team Leader [1986]
30 Years of Local Missions
- Hope House of Milwaukee, Board of Directors [2020 ‐ Present] — serving the homeless/hungry
- Milwaukee County DHHS Division on Aging, Commissioner [2019 ‐ 21] — serving the stranger/elderly
- Empowerment Clinic (Milwaukee County WIser Choice Provider Network), Christian Counseling [2011 ‐ 12] — serving the sick/stranger – adult substance abuse
- Seven Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Pastoral Care [2012] — serving the sick/stranger – elderly
- Washington Du Bois Christian Academy, Christian Education Teacher [2011] — serving the children
- Brown Deer School District, Visioning and Strategic Planning Team [2011] — serving children/teens
- Least of These International Ministries, Instructor [2010‐13], Interim Treasurer [2009 ‐ 10] — discipleship
- Racine Correctional Institutional, Prison Ministry Assistant Instructor [2009 ‐ 12] — serving the imprisoned
- WGLB 1560 AM Radio Ministry, Heritage Int’l Ministries Broadcast, Supporting Host [2009 ‐ 10] — sharing the gospel of Christ
- New Testament Christian Academy, PTO Chairman [2000 ‐ 03] — serving the children
- YMCA Youth Leadership Academy, Mentor/Facilitator [1991 ‐ 95] — serving children/teens
- North Central YMCA, Board of Directors [2001] — serving families and singles
- INROADS/Wisconsin, Facilitator [1990 ‐ 1997]; Senate ‐ Executive Officer [1988‐90] — serving young adults
- Marquette University, Campus Ministry Team [1989 ‐ 90] — serving young adults
Next Step
Richmond Izard II is a native of Milwaukee. He’s the second of three sons in the marriage of Nancy Izard (Childs) and Richmond “Paul” Izard. He understands and promotes the importance of living a balanced life. Learn more about your pastor and his philosophy of life by exploring his self-help book, BALANCE: How to Control Your Own Destiny.