Pastor Richard Schmidt
 

   Richard R. Schmidt, D.Min., and Ph.D. has been an avid student of the Word of God for over 43 years.  Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been married 41 years, have three married children & 9 grandchildren.

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     Rich brings with him an extremely unique and diverse background. After giving his life to Christ during a Chicago revival meeting, he immediately immersed himself into evangelism and the study of Scripture, graduating with both a B.S. and M.A. in PastoralTheology/Christian Education. Early in his ministry, Rich traveled with Evangelist Joe Boyd and preached in various churches and venues, including Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission. Upon college graduation and ordination, Rich and his wife, Valori, moved to Milwaukee, WI to church plant.

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     After the church plant was successfully merged with another, Rich joined the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to support his young family, while simultaneously serving as an Assistant Pastor. During the next 18 years, he regularly preached, taught Bible classes, and led the Men’s Ministry.  Rich was also rising to the top of the MCSO, where he served directly under Milwaukee Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. as his Senior Commander Undersheriff. At MCSO, he received extensive training in Leadership and Administration at the FBI Academy, Harvard & Northwestern Universities, and the National Institute of Corrections.

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     On September 1, 2017, upon the retirement of the Sheriff, Rich became the Acting Sheriff of Milwaukee, WI until his retirement in January, 2019. During that time, Rich transformed the agency with 18 initiatives and left the agency with nearly a $1,000,000 budget surplus, and maintained positive working relationships with County & State government leaders.  

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    It was during his combined government and ministry period that Rich met Dr. Jimmy DeYoung, Dr. Bob Shelton, and traveled with Dr. Sam Horn on multiple study trips to the Middle East.  From those encounters, a passion for Israel and its Biblical history and prophetic significance emerged. In 2014, after completing a prophetically based doctoral program, Rich was awarded his D.Min., and Prophecy Focus Ministries was born. In 2020, Rich earned his Ph.D. in Advanced Eschatology and continued his robust speaking schedule.

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   From 2017-2020, Rich was a volunteer church representative with the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. He co-led study trips to Israel and preached at multiple FOI local and national Prophecy Conferences, along with co-authoring a book with FOI.  His love for

the Jewish people continues to this day. 

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    In 2020, the Co-vid pandemic with its widespread cancellations allowed Rich to speak at Union Grove Baptist Church. Within a short time, the call to become the Senior Pastor at UGBC was extended to Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt.  Additionally, Rich began a weekly televised program, Prophecy Focus, which can be viewed on VCY, Ch 30 and VCY.tv.  He also is a featured speaker at Prophecy Conferences when not preaching at UGBC.  

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