GCI Update
Connecting Members & Friends of GCI
Header Banner

Richard Parker retires

Two Southern California churches recently bid farewell to their senior pastor, J. Richard Parker and his wife Sally. Richard recently retired after many years serving GCI as an employed pastor.

Mr. Parker with Retired Hat
Pastor Richard Parker

Richard, who was ordained in 1971, pastored GCI churches in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Arkansas and California before becoming senior pastor of the Long Beach/Bellflower, California congregation in 1993, adding the Orange County congregation in 1996. Richard taught these two churches about the freedom they have in Christ, which replaces the bonds of legalism with grace-centered living. Richard served the members through preaching, counseling and writing (including his monthly Pastor’s Letter). Sally served by taking care of the church’s finances and membership contact information.

In his final Pastor’s Letter, Richard stated, “This is my last Pastor’s Letter… I must be a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother and a son-in-law to my family. I must also grow old and eventually die. But the way of God will never die. In fact, it carries us all into eternal realms with God. The best to you all as you journey forth into those realms.”

Parker retirement
Prayers of blessing for Pastor Richard and Sally

The Long Beach/Bellflower and Orange County congregations are currently being pastored by Interim Pastor Eric Shaw and his wife Pat. The Shaws have graciously set aside their own retirement plans to serve the two congregations until a permanent pastor is appointed.

3 thoughts on “Richard Parker retires”

  1. Dear Richard,

    Congratulations on your retirement! However, you know that a minister of reconciliation never fully retires — he just refocuses on the reconciliation we have in Jesus. May God continue to bless you and inspire you. Enjoy your family!

    Love, Tom and Adrienne

  2. Well done, Richard and Sally. We who of your age cohort salute you–Sally and I started in Ambassador UK in 1968.

    I was out walking when I started singing Paul Simon’s “Still crazy after all these years.” I took it as a sign to write Richard. I jest but there is no joke about finishing 42 years of ministry, what Eugene Peterson calls “a long obedience in the same direction.”

    You made it–congratulations–Neil and Susan Earle

  3. Dear Parkers,
    You both have run a good race. So glad to have been a part of your lives in Jesus. Thank you for being faithful servants! Love, Susan

Comments are closed.