Our History

Richard was born on December 15th 1951 in Worcester MA. , the first of five children. He grew up in a non- Christian home and came to trust in Jesus Christ at age 23 and was baptized at Bible Baptist Church in Madison Ohio.
His father is deceased, and his mother, whom he had the priviledge of leading to faith, lives in Painsville, Ohio. Richard is a former soldier, teacher, landscaper, and carpenter.

Richelle was born on August 16th 1956 in Painesville, Ohio, the first of 6 children. She came to trust in Jesus Christ at age 17 and was baptized at Bible Baptist Church in Madison Ohio, her father is also deceased. Rich and Richelle were married on March 29th, 1975 in Madison Ohio, and began their educations together, both attending Ohio State University and earning B.S.' in Ornamental Horticulture. After completing their undergraduate in 1978, they were called to Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in Grand Rapids MI where they completed their Masters in Theological Studies with an emphasis in Systematic Theology in 1987.

Richard Served for three years as a deacon at Champion Baptist Church in Warren Ohio and has served at Village Baptist Church as Pastor from 1988 to the present. During this time the church transitioned from a mission church meeting in rental places to an established local church ministry in Aurora. Church website is www.vbcaurora.org
Richelle currently serves at Village as the Church Secretary, worship team coordinator, women’s ministries coordinator, ladies SundaySchool and Bible studies teacher, counselor, all purpose pastor’s wife for 21 years at VBC

Richard and Richelle have lived for 17 years in Aurora Il., a multicultural city environment. And have a rich history of Short-term ministry trips to China three times, Ukraine two times, Bosnia, and now with TRI-M have made four trips to Rwanda/Congo/Uganda. During their ministry Village Baptist, has over the last five years become multicultural. With Congragants from many racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.The church has hosted a Korean congregation and currently hosts a Vietnamese congregation.

Rich and Richelle have 5 adult children and 7 grandchildren:
-Phil and Erin Howard, Michalene, Daniel and James
-Joe and Leah Mitchell, Titus and Verity
-Dan and Rachel Howard and Isaiah and Ezekiel
-Andre Howard (Coast Guard),
-Alex Howard (college).