Rev. Dr. Leroy Richards is the founding pastor of First Community Church of the Nazarene, a ministry dedicated to the expression of authentic faith in the context of a caring community. But before he formed our sister church in 1993. Rev. Richards called Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene home. He joined Bronx Bethany in 1970 and lit many torches we still carry today. During his time there, Rev. Richards dedicated himself to the nurturing and spiritual development of youth. His commitment led him to start the Annual Children’s Christmas Musical Drama and the Male Mentoring Program in collaboration with the Mt Vernon Youth Bureau. He organized Daily Vacation Bible School and established a strong Children’s Bible Quiz Team. 

It’s not just young people, but entire families that Rev. Richards has impacted. He dedicated 21 years in social work to building strong families through education and effective psycho-social interventions. He is the founder and president of LOOK BACK GIVE BACK INC., a non-profit corporation dedicated to the provision of educational and material

resources for economically challenged families in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.

Rev. Richards is a trained marriage counselor and has been an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene for the past 35 years, selflessly giving of this time and talent.

He also held the title of Sunday School Superintendent, the NYI Vice President, Nazarene Missions International President, and Associate Pastor. He has served on several boards including those of The Bronx Bethany Community Cooperation, Metro New York Board of Ministerial, and The Church of the Nazarene’s Metro New York District Advisory Board. Rev. Richards came to Bronx Bethany in its 6th year. Now celebrating the 60th year, we see his mark throughout the church’s legacy.