Richard Howard Reynolds

I was born on May 25th 1933 to Willie Edward and Lucy Neal Watkins-Reynolds.  They named me Richard Howard.  I was the middle child of eleven children.  I grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas and received my education in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  While still a young man, I enlisted in the Navy, served 4 years, and was honorably discharged.

In 1955 I gave my life to the Lord and began my spiritual journey at All Nations COGIC pastored by Eld. Sanders where I served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. When news got back to my mother in Arkansas that I had gotten saved she said “it must be something to it if the Lord saved that boy”.  I served as Assistant Pastor to Bishop Alexander in Santa Ana, CA for 5 years.  I then felt the call to pastor and planted my first church – Good News COGIC in 1974 in Long Beach CA.  I pastored there for 17 years, and the church is still alive and well, and pastored by one of my former member’s son.  I also served as YPWW President of the Long Beach District.

For many years, I was employed as a technician for Exon Oil and Douglas aircraft in Long Beach, CA.

On September 11, 1981 I met the love of my life; Sis. Alice Lee and four months later on January 2, 1982 we were married (36 years ago) God sent me an angel wrapped in human flesh; my helpmate in the gospel.

In March,1987 we moved from Long Beach CA to Gresham, OR but I still pastored in Long Beach and commuted back and forth between Gresham and Long Beach for 2 years and 2 months until the Lord released me to resign as Pastor in 1989.

By faith, in 1989 my wife and I used our own money to buy the building that presently houses the church.  After six months of hard work we were blessed to open our doors. While remodeling this building, I was contemplating a name for the church.  Early one morning while looking out my sliding glass door I observed the dawning of a new day and the disappearing of the darkness.  The Holy Ghost spoke to me and said ‘just as the new day is causing the darkness to disappear, it is like new life coming in to the community.” So, I knew that the Lord wanted me to name the church New Life Community COGIC.  Additional remodeling of the building and a beautification project was undertaken. Thank God for a Pastor and wife that work as a team.  God blessed the church to pay off the church mortgage in 2004.  A church van was purchased in 2003 and was paid off in 2006.

In 2004 I was appointed and served until 2011 as District Superintendent of the St. Johns District, Oregon Jurisdiction #1, Bishop A.R. Hopkins, Prelate, and also served as a member of the Executive Board of Oregon Jurisdiction #l

On the evening of Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 5:28 pm at his home, Pastor Reynolds departed this earthly life and moved to his heavenly home to abide with the Lord forever.  He leaves a loving example of service worthy of emulation.  He will always be remembered by his commitment to his family, his church, and the work of the Lord.

Pastor Reynolds was preceded in death by his parents; spouses Betty and Frankie; son Dana Reynolds; brothers Bernis Reynolds and Lafayette (Bill) Reynolds; sisters Erserene Willis and Clementine Rhodes.

Pastor Reynolds leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 36 years, Alice Reynolds; sons Terris Reynolds, Richard Reynolds, Jr., Gregory Reynolds; daughters Regina Reynolds-Banks (Eld. Banks); Belinda Reynolds; brothers Robert Reynolds of Detroit, MI; Clayton Reynolds (Dee) of Inglewood, CA; Uvoyd Reynolds (Martha) of Milwaukee, WI; Larry Reynolds (Frances) of Akron, OH; sisters: Virginia Champion of Las Vegas, NV; Helen McCloyn (Rudy) of Gresham, OR; grandchildren; great grandchildren, a host of family and friends, and his New Life Community church family.