A life in service to Jesus...

Richard Dortch lived through the Great Depression. He knows what it's like to go through tough times. Early on, his family moved to a small farm in Collinsville, Illinois. In those difficult years Richard learned a powerful lesson. With God all things are possible. In Granite City, Illinois, Richard came to a crossroad in his life. At the age of 15, he heard a young evangelist named Oral Roberts preach the gospel and call sinners to repentance. In the Sunday evening service at the First Assembly of God Church in Granite City, Richard Dortch answered the call of God and became a Christian.

        Richards says, "For as long as I can remember, I knew God had called me to preach. There was a brief time, when, as a young man playing baseball, I considered becoming a professional ballplayer. But, in my heart, I knew all I really wanted to be was a minister." North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota is where Richard received his training. Not long after going to college Richard married Mildred Nickels. They have been married 50 years and have two adult children. Pastor Dortch is definitely called to broadcast ministry. He tells us, "As my interest in radio and television grew, I began to know, in the same way that I knew I was going to be a pastor, that I would someday be involved in television ministry."

Pastor Dortch would like to sincerely thank Pastor Scott Young who watched over this ministry for the last six years. Look for Pastor Scott Young on the Central Florida CTN affiliates-WCLF-TV 22 in Tampa Bay and WRXY-TV 49 in Fort Myers with a new program on Saturday nights! The program will be called, "Scott Young With Hope." Scott continues to pastor The Church of Hope in Sarasota Florida.