The Zone Gathering

It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve posted a Tuesday Spotlight, but today we continue our series on veteran NCC leaders. Jim Richardson is one of my best friends and favorite people. I remember meeting Jim at a small group in late spring/early summer 1999, and we remained friends during my stint in Nashville. Here are some things I love about Jim: his sharp wit, his tennis serve, his ability to say “Let’s get jiggy with it” with perfect diction, his willingness to play all manner of odd characters in the NCC variety show, his salmon from Alaska, etc…. I could go on and on. Jim has been a great friend to both Ryan and me, and I love the fact that we get to do ministry with him. He’s been a leader of several small groups and also helps with the nursery at Ballston.

Today, we talk with Jim about life, ministry, and oligarchies.

How long have you attended NCC? What brought you to NCC?
I’ve been attending NCC for around 7 ½ years. When I first moved to DC, the friend I was staying with mentioned that she heard NCC was a good church, but she had never gone. I attended NCC my first Sunday in town and never looked back. She left DC without ever attending.

Tell us a little about the small groups and/or ministries that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
I started attending a small group right after finding NCC. I led my first group around the 1999/2000 time-frame, and then launched the first NOVA non-couples small group in 2000. Several groups later, I’m now leading NCC! True Hollywood Story: the Life of Jesus Christ with Melissa Westervelt. Being involved in small groups has definitely been a defining experience in my spiritual development. It has encouraged me to continue growing in my faith and given me life-long friends. I can’t imagine what my DC experience (and my life) would be without the insights, knowledge and friends that have been provided to me through NCC..

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
Ballston – in the great Commonwealth of Virginia – it’s a good and exciting place… as our State motto says, “Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don’t Mix?” I’m the Slackjaw Yokel.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
I grew up in the church and had various points of spiritual growth and moments of decision. Walked down the center aisle in 4th grade, was baptized in 7th grade. College, Grad School and moving to DC were all important spiritual milestones. However, NCC, due to the people and teaching, has been a truly defining point in my journey with Christ.

Tell us a little about your background.
Born in Chicago, after about six months I moved - and have kept moving ever sense. After stints in exciting locales such as Arkansas, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, Greece, St. Louis, Virginia, I graduated high school near Seattle and attended Evangel University in Springfield, MO (the A/Gs Mecca) for undergrad.

I have a Masters in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State (also in Springfield, MO) and am blessed to do Defense Policy and Appropriations for a great Member of Congress from Wichita, Kansas!! Father is in the Air Force, mother is an educational consultant. Both my dad and older brother are chaplains - my younger brother is an electrical engineer. I have three awesome nephews, and one pretty good dog.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
Proverbs 29:18

What are your favorite books?
What’s so Amazing about Grace and Fingerprints of the Gods

What are your favorite movies?
Charade and TN:TBoRB (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby)

What is your favorite fast food?
Pizza and Fried Chicken

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
I have a collection of old Atlases and Maps.

Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job?
I help my boss write the spending bill for the Department of Defense. Dream Job? Something to do with forming an Oligarchy… no seriously, I want to own my own business.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
Former Senator Jack Danforth. He was able to capably, intelligently, and honestly connect his deep spiritual beliefs with public policy.

What do you do in your free time?
Free time?? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
Luke Wilson for me and Chris Kattan for PM.

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
Anything to do with “Cattycorners.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 12th, 2006 at 10:31 am and is filed under Small Group Leaders, Spotlights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.