by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Dr. Knight: Would you please share with us your early religious formation.
Richard: I was raised Catholic from an early age and was an altar boy at Saint Hilary. I learned to repent to a priest for my sins and say a lot of Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers
Dr. Knight: Please tell us the significance of your high school years that brought you to Christ.
Richard: I really did not have a relationship with Christ until 1998 after I graduated College and got re- baptized. I was caring a lot of shame and burdens. I was broken and lost. I thought a man of faith was about good deeds. Little did I know its Not about good deeds it was about the Grace of Jesus Christ. - I learned I did not have to work for it. I had to accept Jesus as my Savior. He paid the price up on the Cross. I began to have a relationship as like with my earthly father. I began to listen to worship music and read the bible and that’s where my relationship with Christ began to blossom.
Dr. Knight: You went to college and were married as you began your work as a business man. How did you make that decision?
Richard: I knew in college I was supposed to be in the finance world and serve others The important thing is serve and make an impact on others not just by making their investments grow but make an impact on others’ lives and provide value.
Dr. Knight: You were called by God to be a man of God. What is the significance of your call to be a follower of Christ in a very secular world?
Richard: Since my encounter with God... all I want to do is tell or remind people who God is … God is love and Jesus is King. Matthew 16:26 for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall am give in return for his soul?
Dr. Knight: You spent formation finding out your abilities and gifts through discernment. How was your discernment helpful to you personally?
Richard: The Holy Spirit showed me my gifts early on. My talents are to have empathy and serve others. It’s helped me in my business and connecting with others. More importantly to know my Savior Jesus Christ.
Dr. Knight: Do you think/feel that your life is somewhat a mosaic of your different gifts?
Richard: Yes – life is a puzzle of using my talents in gifts for the Glory of God.
Dr. Knight: What do you want the readers to understand after reading this interview about being a business man in a secular world with a family? About starting a family?
Richard: What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26. In a moment, I made a conscious decision that I would longer let the fear of man, the desire to be loved, or fear of failure stop me from being unashamed of Jesus. I surrendered my life and flesh to be reconditioned for God’s Glory. I found a mentor to help me. I did the work, I prayed the prayers, I forgave myself, and God filled the gaps of chaos with order and peace. I began to lead myself better, I began to lead my marriage better and now I’m leading my family and helping other men to lead their families in the way that honors God and created real legacy in the earth.
Dr. Knight: What are some of the challenges of the future in being a follower of Christ?
Richard: Challenges are falling back into the flesh and my old ways and also conforming back into a broken world.
Dr. Knight: What are some of the joys you’ve experienced as a parent follower of Christ?
Richard: Freedom is the biggest one. I realized the chains I didn’t break would get passed on to my sons. I decided to be the one person in my family tree to change everything. The chain breaker of generational curse off my family off my children. It did not have to be a part of me anymore. Freedom was available I know I was once lost and in bondage too experiencing God through brotherhood and community changed everything. Creation is groaning for the sons of God to reveal themselves. I was the one. The chain breaker my life my legacy have a divine purpose and assignment. God didn’t design you to be reliant on any other thing buy him Matthew 6:33.
Dr. Knight: As a business man what are some of the actions that you perform/pray?
Richard: I have daily nonnegotiable disciplines, I pray daily with one or more men. Doing a weekly bible study, listen daily to a podcast to learn more about Jesus and worship him through music.
Dr. Knight: Thank you so much for offering us this interview and letting us see all the good works that a business man who is a follower of Christ do for us all.
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