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Pastor Jim Richards
Pastor Jim Richards grew up in Shelton, WA, self-proclaimed Christmas tree capital of the world. After graduating in 1965, Jim joined the US Air Force and served in the Philippines and Thailand. After leaving the Air Force in 1969, Jim attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, on a football scholarship. He graduated in 1973 with a degree in Economics. He worked in the food processing industry, eventually managing a department for Ocean Spray Cranberries near Aberdeen, WA.
He met and married Janella Teppo at PLU. They had 4 children, 3 sons and 1 daughter, together. While working at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Jim and his family began attending Copalis Community Church in Copalis Beach, WA. In the fall of 1979 Jim received a call into the ministry and he returned to Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR, to finish a graduate program in ministry he had started after college. After graduating from Multnomah Bible College in the spring of 1980, Jim and his young family moved to Rosebud, MT, to serve with Village MIssions. They served churches in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
In December 1991, Jim was asked by Copalis Community Church to return there as Pastor. He moved back to Copalis Beach in June of 1992 to follow Pastor Newt Rasor, who had started the church in 1933, serving as pastor for 59 years. Pastor Jim has pastored at Copalis Community Church for 30 years (2022), so he is the second pastor in the 89-year history of the church. His son Jeremy assists him with preaching and teaching at the church.
Copalis Beach has transitioned from a thriving beach town to a quiet wide spot in the road, but it continues have a vibrant ministry and testimony. The church averages 50-60 in attendance each week. There is a Sunday School for all ages and Sunday morning and Sunday evening worship services that focus on preaching and teaching the Word of God. Pastor Jim hosts a weekly TV program, Raise The Tide, on Christian Cable Ministries in Aberdeen, WA. Pastor Rasor began the program in 1980 and Jim followed him in 2004.
Elders Of Copalis
Pastor Jim Richards: Pastor Jim Richards grew up in Shelton, WA, self-proclaimed Christmas tree capital of the world. After graduating in 1965, Jim joined the US Air Force and served in the Philippines and Thailand. After leaving the Air Force in 1969, Jim attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, on a football scholarship. He graduated in 1973 with a degree in Economics. Pastor Jim received his theological training at the Multnomah Bible College in Portland OR. He worked in the food processing industry, eventually managing a department for Ocean Spray Cranberries near Aberdeen, WA.
Jeremy Parker: Jeremy and his wife Danielle committed their lives to Jesus Christ after graduating high school in Ocean Shores WA. Jeremy manages the fish hatchery in Humptulips WA. and they have been blessed with three children. Jeremy has been an elder at Copalis Community Church for ten years.
Jason Mitchell: Jason came to Christ 8 years ago at this church. He had been living on the streets in Seattle before coming to Copalis. God delivered him from a drug addiction and other sins. Jason leads worship for Copalis Community Church. He has been an elder for the last 4 years.
Jeremy Richards: Jeremy is Pastor Jim's third son. He has served as a preaching elder for 14 years. He and his wife Stacy have 10 children, 9 boys and 1 girl. Jeremy has a construction company with his sons and raises beef on 300 leased acres. He and Stacy served with Friend Ships Ministries in Honduras and Los Angles for 11 years before coming home to Copalis.