Leaders

Rev. Richard Norman

Senior Pastor

Pastor Norman was baptized in 1967 at the New Strangers Home Baptist Church. Pastored by the late U.E. Jones. While a member of New Strangers Home he was a member of the youth choir. Also was a teacher in the Sunday school dept. 

He joined the Paradise Baptist church in San Francisco Ca. The late Rev. Raymond Howard Sr. was the pastor. He drove the church van taking mission groups to meetings. 

In 1977 the family relocated to Fresno Ca. 

Where led by the spirit the family united with the St Rest Baptist church. Pastored by the late Chester Riggins Sr. While there Richard served on the usher board as president, deacon board, and trustee board as chairman While chairman of the trustee board and with God's help. The church paid off its mortgage and invested funds, so the church was debt free. 

He also served as a teacher for the following, Sunday school, ushers and laymen. He was also appointed by Pastor Riggins to teach Wednesday night bible study and the deacon training class 

He was called into the gospel ministry and licensed by Pastor Riggins in 2004 He moved his membership to the Mt Olive Baptist Church pastored by Rev. Lee. 

He has served as Associate Minster, Sunday school teacher, and Wednesday night bible study. He is a bible instructor at the Evangel Home and the Chowchilla women's prison. He is the spiritual adviser for the Fresno chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. He is currently attending bible classes through West Angeles Bible College. He is married to Sylvia Norman, and they have been blessed with 3 children. They are Richard K Norman, Ramon JE Norman, and Marlena S Norman. He is called Grandpa by 9 nine grandchildren from age four to twenty 



Sylvia Norman

First Lady

Sylvia Norman was a Praise and Worship Leader and Bible teacher for the Chowchilla State Prison for Women, California since 2010 to 2019. She was a monthly motivational speaker and

Bible instructor for a women and children’s homeless shelter called Evangel Home in Fresno 2000 to 2020. She just released her recording entitled “God Never Fails in 2015

 

Sylvia Norman was the Director of Music for the Saints Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Fresno, CA where the late Dr. Rev. Chester Riggins was the pastor. She served in that capacity for 13 years and had 5 choirs under her direction. She assisted in music ministry at Paradise Baptist Church in San Francisco, Seed of Faith Church in Antioch, The Alter Church in Clovis, First Baptist Church, Saint Joseph Baptist Church, Mount Olive Baptist, Family Community Church, Second Baptist Church, California State Baptist Convention , Fresno Temple COGIC, Saints Community COGIC and various other ministries throughout Central California.

 

Sylvia has been the Assistant Chapter Representative for the Northern California Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America assigned to the Central Valley Component by Dr. Steven Roberts, Chapter Representative since 1986. She has conducted Gospel Music Workshops from North Carolina to California. She was one of the organizers along with Dr. Helen Stephens and Dr. Rodena Preston of the GMWA West Coast Regional Fellowship for 5 years. Sylvia received her Gospel Music Ministry training under such greats as Dr. Helen J.H. Stephens, Dr. Margaret Pleasant-Douroux, Charles Fold and Minister Stephen Hurd.

 

Sylvia Norman has coordinated choirs and performed with various artists such art as Jessie Dixon, Lynette Hawkins-Stephens, Kurt Carr, Troy Sneed, Vernon Chappel and Josh Groban.  Sylvia Norman is a graduate of the University of San Francisco with a double major in Government and Sociology. She was employed by the Federal Government for 36 years and currently serves in Labor/Management relations as the President of the American Federation of

Government Employees Local 3172 which has 72 California offices under her leadership. Her area covers Northern California and Northern Nevada representing over 1500 bargaining unit members.

 

Sylvia is married to Rev. Richard Norman for over 48 years, has 3 children and 9 grandchildren. She is most satisfied being identified as a Servant of the Most High God.



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