Men on a Mission MoBay profile
published: Thursday | November 18, 2004

EVERYBODY NEEDS a mentor. But few seem to realise this. The Rev. Courtney Richards will be addressing the subject when he speaks on 'The Challenge of Mentoring Boys and Men'.

The Rev. Mr. Richards is deeply committed to the youth of Jamaica and the Caribbean. As a psychologist he is aware of the many problems facing our children and youth, including the dysfunctional homes from which many come, the drug and sex culture and the need for our youth to discover their purpose and maximise their potential. He believes we are at a crossroads as a nation and must act now and effectively to come up with the best solutions for meeting the challenges facing our young people who are the future leaders of our society.

The Rev. Mr. Richards is currently a lecturer in psychology and counselling and head of the Behavioural and Social Sciences Department at the Jamaica Theological Seminary in Kingston, Jamaica.

DISCIPLESHIP

He is also the founder and director of RENEWED Ministries which seeks to equip the church in Jamaica and the Caribbean through mentoring, discipleship and lay leadership training. RENEWED Ministries is also seeking to win young people, with the gospel through sports evangelism. Rev. Richards is also an international speaker, having preached in over 10 different countries across three continents.

Rev. Richards attended Jamaica Theological Seminary (1977-1981) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree. Subsequently, he served as youth pastor at the Grace Missionary Church in Kingston, Jamaica (1981-1983). He was also guidance counsellor and chaplain at the West Avenue Institute (1981-1986); Christian education director of the Missionary Church Association in Jamaica (1983-1986).

Rev. Richards was graduated in 1987 from Bethel College, Indiana, USA, with a B.A. degree in psychology. Then in 1989 he received his M.A. degree in clinical psychology.

For a year he served at the Covenant House in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a shelter for runaway and homeless children and adolescents. He then returned to Indiana and served as an assistant professor of psychology and a counsellor at the Bethel College Counselling Centre. He returned to Jamaica in 1996. It was his experiences at Bethel College in mentoring and discipline many students that Rev. Richards believes prepared him for his current calling to serve the Jamaican and Caribbean church.