Pastor Dick Cotton began his ministry at Evangel Baptist Church in Houghton, Michigan, in 1981 where he was discipled by Pastor Steve Wilson.  After receiving his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Tech (1982), Dick gained his Th.M. at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas (1986).  Through the years he has served as Pastor to Children, Associate Pastor, and Pastor in various churches.  He also served with the U.S. Center for World Mission (now Ventures Center) in Pasadena, California (in the 1990s), as Managing Editor, Publications Manager, and Assistant Director.  Dick has also taught at Dallas Seminary, Northpointe Christian School, and Cornerstone University.  He completed all the coursework toward a PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  He and his wife, Christy, have three adult children and five grandchildren.