Rich grew up in the city of Chicago, IL. He graduated from both Moody Bible Institute and (what is now called) Trinity International University. He also did graduate studies at Moody. He ministered as a youth pastor in the western suburbs of Chicago for 15 years, as well as several years in the Atlanta area. He and his wife started a church with great sensitivity for the non-Christian, as well as the Christian. He pastored that church for 16 years. In January 2012, he started this non-profit named Nudge Ministries. It comes from his personal life motto of: gently nudging people a little closer to Jesus. Rich has been married to Kathy since 1975. They have three grown daughters and 13 grandchildren.
Rich has always believed and lived out partnering with others. As you check out this site, you will see web links to other sites, many of which he has been volunteering in a great variety of ways, most for many years. In the fall of 2005, a friend invited Rich to go to Ghana with him. At the end of the two week trip, God spoke, and Rich knew he would be returning. At that time, he had no idea he would return over 50 more times and would start Nudge Ministries to equip Ghanaian pastors to reach other Ghanaians. Nudge Ministries in Ghana is about MENTORING, EQUIPPING, AND RESOURCING GHANAIAN PASTORS TO LEAD PEOPLE TO CHRIST, THEN PLANT A HOUSE CHURCH WHICH WILL ALSO PLANT HOUSE CHURCHES.
Debra is currently the Owner/President of Allen-Smith Consulting, a 32-year-old private company specializing in local and state government grant writing and grant administration in the State of Georgia.
Debra is a 28-year resident of Walton County having been born in Dallas, Texas and moved to Alma, Georgia at the age of 9. It was at the age of 9 that Debra attended church camp and made a confession of faith. Debra attended Troy State University (now Troy University) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She began her grant writing career in 1987 in her hometown of Alma.
Debra has been a member of First Baptist Church of Monroe, GA over 25 years. It was at First Baptist, that her faith began to deepen.
Debra has served on several local non-profit boards and several FBC Monroe Teams. She serves on the VBS team & leads the Missions classes for 1st-6th graders. Debra currently serves as treasurer on the FBC Monroe Missions Team. Debra regularly participates in the FBC Monroe Family Mission Trips. She also travels with Nudge to Ghana to assist and encourage the Ghanaian pastors and leaders under Nudge Ministries’ leadership.
Debra believes ministry/mission work is key to serving God and obeying His commandment to love others and to carry out the Great Commission. In her spare time, she likes to work in the yard and play golf. Debra is married to Ron Smith, who also serves on the Nudge Board, and they have one adult daughter, Hannah Smith.
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Betty grew up in Largo, Florida. She is one of twelve children. She moved to Georgia to attend Atlanta Christian College, graduating from there with a B.S. degree in Bible and a minor in Christian Education. She went on to obtain her teacher certification through West Georgia College, and her masters in elementary education through Piedmont College. Betty has taught elementary school, both in the private and public school settings and is now retired.
She and her husband, Mark, reside in Oakwood, GA. They have 3 grown children, and 8 grandchildren.
Ron Smith and his family have been members of First Baptist Church, Monroe Ga. since 2001. Ron is a Deacon and has served on several committees through the years and has been an adult and youth Sunday school teacher. He and his wife Debra currently teach the young professionals Sunday School class.
Ron and Debra both have served on the missions committee and have been on several missions trips across the U.S. and internationally. Both have been to Ghana multiple times and plan more trips with Nudge in the future. They have one daughter, Hannah who has been raised in the church and loves mission work as well.
