Leaders
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Richard Norman
Senior Pastor
Rev. Richard Norman has devoted his life to ministry, leadership, and service to God’s
people. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Fresno,
California, where he was called to lead following the retirement of Rev. Ed Lee in 2022.
Before his pastoral appointment, Rev. Norman served faithfully as Chairman of the
Trustee Board at St. Rest Baptist Church. Under the guidance of Pastor Chester
Riggins and the Holy Spirit, he led numerous church improvement projects, including
the beautification of church grounds, renovation of the nursery, and establishment of a
children’s church, and the construction of an Educational Building. He also oversaw
upgrades to the kitchen, dining area, sound system, and lighting fixtures, and played a
key role in retiring the church’s mortgage.
Rev. Norman has been a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 40 years. He was
ordained as a deacon on November 5, 1995, and licensed into the ministry on
December 1, 2004. From 2000 to 2007, he trained the deacons of Saints Rest Baptist
Church, helping to strengthen the church’s leadership and spiritual foundation.
His ministry extended beyond the church walls. Rev. Norman served as a Bible teacher
at Chowchilla State Prison for Women from 2010 to 2019. He also provided monthly
motivational messages and Bible instruction at the Fresno Rescue Mission (2017–2020)
and Evangel Home, a shelter for women and children (2000–2020).
Rev. Norman completed Christian counseling studies through the Fresno School of
Missions. He was appointed Director of Christian Education at Mt. Olive Baptist Church
by Rev. Ed Lee, where he organized weekly teacher training sessions, selected
Vacation Bible School materials and implemented instructor development programs.
In 2015, Rev. Norman was ordained into the ministry by Rev. Ed Lee. Today, he
continues to serve with humility, wisdom, and unwavering faith, giving all glory to God
for the journey that has shaped his life and calling.
Rev. Norman has been married to Sylvia Norman for over 50 years. Together, they are
blessed with three children and nine grandchildren.
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.
