Update: The church membership voted by overwhelming majority to affirm the call of Bro. Hugh Richardson as Transitional Pastor on June 8, 2025.
 
Dr. Hugh Richardson, Jr. began preaching at age 16. He has served as a youth pastor, minister of education, pastored two churches in North Carolina, two churches in Alabama, and retired as Associational Missionary of the Shelby Baptist Association. In retirement he has done supply work and served as interim pastor at two churches. He has been married to Lu for 49 years and is father to a son and daughter. He has five grandsons and one granddaughter. Hugh and Lu are members of New Temple Baptist Church in Bagley.
Dr. Hugh and Lu Richardson
Q&A with Bro. Hugh
In preparation for Bro. Hugh preaching on Sunday, June 8 and the church vote to confirm his nomination as our next Transitional Pastor, the Interim Search Committee asked Bro. Hugh (& Mrs. Lu) a few questions. A copy of his responses will also be available in the church hall bulletin board outside of the Pastor’s Office.
 
  • When did you know God called you to be a pastor?

I made a profession of faith and was baptized as a ten-year-old at Pineywood Baptist Church in Gardendale.  Probably around twelve I thought that the Lord my call me to ministry. I “surrendered to preach” at age sixteen when Rev. Jack LeGrand was leading a revival at Pineywood, in April 1969. On the first night of the revival during the invitation he stated, “There is a young man here God is calling to preach. You need to surrender to that call.” I knew it was me but did not respond. He repeated that every night. I had a rather miserable week. Finally on Friday evening I responded. There were people in the congregation who came up to me later and told me they knew it was me the preacher was talking about and had been praying for me. I did not know what all answering the call of the Lord involved, but it has given me opportunities and taken me places I would have never anticipated. God is good.

  • Do you have a favorite holiday or family tradition?

This is a question I have not really given any thought. What came to mind is that I think the most significant holiday is Resurrection Sunday or Easter. It is the purpose of Christmas. The apostle Paul reminds us the Jesus was “declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, Romans 1:4”

  • Tell us about your family. How many kids/grandkids do you have?

Lu and I have been married forty-nine years. We have a son, Paul, who is married to Brooke. They have two sons, Carson and Caden, and our only granddaughter, Callie. We also have a daughter, Sarah, who is married to Charlie. They have three sons, Eli, Kane, and Zeke.

  • Do you have a favorite book, chapter, or verse of the Bible?

Psalm 34:3 has been a key verse for me, “O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” It reminds me that our purpose is to magnify the Lord, that we are to that with others and that we are to invite others to join us. That reflects the priorities of the church to worship, fellowship and spread the Gospel.

  • What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show outside of the Bible?

When I want to disengage, I read action and adventure books and spy novels.  Louis Lamour and Zane Grey have given many hours of pleasure with their western novels. Probably my favorite Lamour book is “The Last of the Breed.”

  • What is your favorite food?

I enjoy most foods. I like Mexican and Italian but do not get to enjoy them any for because of some conditions that have developed.  I also really like sweets but have to be careful around them now because of health as well.

  • Why did you become a transitional/interim pastor?

I took the training for transitional pastor so that I could have a positive impact in churches that I would serve in my retirement. Too many churches just put everything on hold during interim periods and this process helps them to deal with past, make adjustments, and be better prepared to follow the leadership of a new pastor. Of course all of this is dependent on how the congregation responds to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

  • What are you most looking forward to at Sharon Heights?

I want engage with the people of the congregation, observe how the Lord is working in them and to see how He will work in the days ahead.

  • What do you think is the most important thing for a healthy church today?

The most important thing for a church is to have a heart for the Lord, a spirit of obedience and a willingness to do what is needed even if it is hard. To be healthy one needs to grow and not simply maintain the past.

  • If you could tell us one thing before we meet you in person, what would it be?

Our goal in this endeavor is to encourage the church and call the people in the church to be devoted to Jesus and seek to obey him fully and follow him faithfully by loving Him, each other and sharing the gospel with those who are far from Him.

 

Mrs. Lu Richardson has served alongside Bro. Hugh their entire marriage. Here are a few questions to help us get to know a little bit about her as well.

 

  • What is your favorite Bible verse, book or chapter?

The 23rd Psalm has always been my favorite.  One of the first passages memorized in Vacation Bible School.  It encompasses all aspects of life and assures that the LORD is in involved and loves us.

  • What is your favorite memory of church life/ministry?
There are too many to narrow down to one.  Church life/ministry has been our life as a couple and a family.
  • How do you like to spend your spare time? Any hobbies, favorite books, movies or foods?
I enjoy landscape photography.  Of course that means being out in nature.  One of our goals has been to visit all the state parks.
  • What’s your favorite color?
Green
  • Do you have a favorite song or hymn?

“In the Garden.”   I remember my mother singing this hymn in church when I was a child.  My grandmothers rose garden was a favorite place.

  • If you could share one thing before we meet you in person, what would it be?
I am not an up front person.  The Lord has impressed on me during my life that my role is to love and support Hugh and his work in the church.  I tend to “fall in love with” the people in the churches we are called to serve.
 
 
 
The Lead Pastor Search Committee will begin soon.
Per the Bylaws, the deacons are preparing a slate of (1) Deacon, (1) member of the Personnel Committee, and (5) general church members to serve as a Search Committee for our next lead pastor. Be in prayer for them as they pray through who should serve. A list of names will be presented to the church to vote on after announcement at 3 consecutive services. Each individual must receive 75% or greater votes. Once the deacons are prepared to present those names, we will also inform the church on this page and via email and text message.
 
Are you a candidate interested in applying for the Lead Pastor position? More information about our search process and who to contact will be available at a later date. For now, you may submit any resumes, references, and supporting materials to our Financial Secretary at katie@sharonheights.org.