Rev. Richard Gaines is a native of Tyler, Texas. After completing his studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, he spent nearly a decade in Corporate America, prior to answering God's call to ministry.
He was licensed to preach at First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, Missouri, and later ordained at First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Pastor Gaines went on to earn a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1996, Pastor Gaines was called to serve as the Senior Pastor of Consolidated Baptist Church (CBC) in Lexington, Kentucky, where he faithfully leads with a heart for evangelism and discipleship. During his tenure, CBC has added members, ministries, staff, and facilities, enabling the church to serve and impact the church family and the broader community more effectively.