The Pastor Nominating Committee is excited to introduce
The Reverend Dr. Richard Kannwischer
As our candidate to become Peachtree Presbyterian Church's
next Senior Pastor
"Shout joyfully to the LORD"
– Psalm 100:1
“And my God will supply every need of
yours according to his riches in glory in
Jesus Christ.”
– Philippians 4:19
“Therefore, my beloved brothers,
be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is
not in vain."
– 1 Corinthians 15:58
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LETTER FROM THE PNC
Friends,
We have been honored to serve on Peachtree’s Pastor Nominating Committee.
Throughout our journey to select Peachtree’s next senior pastor, we have often reflected
on the enormity of the responsibility, the trust that you, our fellow members, have placed
in us, and the impact that our choice would have on the Peachtree church and the city of
Atlanta both for now and decades to come.
The time has come to vote on a new leader for Peachtree. It is with great pleasure and
enthusiasm that we introduce you to the Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer, a 43-year-old
native Texan who is currently serving as the lead pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian
Church in Newport Beach, California.
As you’ll soon learn, Rich exemplifies all of the key criteria that you asked us to identify in
our next senior pastor. Rich is:
• an exceptional preacher who will carry on Peachtree’s tradition of great preaching,
• a
teacher in alignment with our core tenets: centrality of Jesus, authority of scripture,
Presbyterian, evangelical and missional,
• a
strong and experienced leader capable of managing the scope and scale of
Peachtree and our important role in the Atlanta community,
• a vision caster who dreams God-sized dreams and makes them happen, and
• a
n energetic and passionate pastor who engages on a personal level with people of all
generations.
During the selection process, we have grown to know Rich, his wife Kelly, and their two
daughters Danica and Ashby. We’ve prayed together, shared numerous meals on two
coasts, strategized on challenges and opportunities, visited with clients at the Atlanta
Mission, planned transition activities and had a lot of laughter and fun together.
This process was truly led by God who was with us every step of the journey, pointing
us to Rich and removing obstacles that stood in our way. Our committee is confident
that God has called Rich to Peachtree. We, therefore, with great joy and enthusiasm,
unanimously submit our recommendation to you that the Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer
be confirmed as our next senior pastor.
From left to right: Taylor Glover, Frank Skinner, Terry
Moore, Jessica Lawrence, James W. Cross, Jr., Beth
Stevens, Sylvia Ratchford, Jim Borders, Will Wray, Donna
Hyland, and Margaret Young
“
“
ith his unwavering faith, clear
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vision and personable leadership
style, I firmly believe that Rich
has been called to our church,
and I’m excited to see what God
has in store for Peachtree.”
– Terry Moore, Co-Chair, PNC
ich’s joy for preaching, his ease
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of speaking, his love of the Word
of God, and his relationship with
the congregation are absolutely
the way I want to be engaged on
Sunday mornings.”
– Margaret Young, Co-Chair, PNC
Yours In Christ,
Your Pastor Nominating Committee
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THE REVEREND DR. RICHARD KANNWISCHER
Education
Fuller Theological Seminary, Doctorate of Ministry
Princeton Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity
Trinity University, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Pastoral Experience
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lead Pastor, Newport Beach, California
First Presbyterian Church, Senior Pastor, San Antonio, Texas
Central Presbyterian Church, Senior Pastor, Summit, New Jersey
First Presbyterian Church, Associate Pastor, Houston, Texas
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Intern, New York City, New York
“
“
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Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Intern, Dallas, Texas
ich’s passion for Scripture is
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displayed in the way he delivers
God’s timeless truth with energy
in a way that is understandable,
without compromising the
greatness of the truth.”
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Intern, Houston, Texas
– James Cross, PNC Member
Board of Trustees, Princeton Theological Seminary
Past and Present Community Leadership
Board of Trustees, Fuller Theological Seminary
Doctor of Ministry Adjunct Faculty, Fuller Theological Seminary
Board of Trustees, Trinity University
eachtree has a long tradition
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of outstanding intergenerational
preaching from its senior
minister, and I was struck
immediately by Rich's uplifting,
relevant message, and his
extraordinary gift of connection
with everyone.”
– Jim Borders, PNC Member
Board of Trustees, Presbyterian School of Houston
President, Alumni Executive Council, Princeton Theological Seminary
Lead Navigator, Auxano Corporation
Chaplain, City of Summit Police
LETTER FROM RICH
Dear Peachtree,
One of the most important moments of my life was when the Christian faith moved
from being an idea of God to a relationship with God. Following a similar pattern over
the last few months, the idea of joining the Peachtree family changed from a concept
to a relationship with your Pastoral Nominating Committee. Your interim pastor, Dave
Peterson, is fond of saying “ministry only moves at the speed of friendship.” As my
friendship with your team grew, so did my sense of the Spirit’s leading.
I have known the rich legacy of your ministry to Atlanta and beyond, but now I am
convicted to embrace your mission as my own. Our family is both humbled and honored
to join with you in the potential of this next season of your leadership. We are so excited
to begin the gospel journey together, and we look forward to getting to know you as we
share in the joy of following Jesus Christ.
With anticipation,
1 Corinthians 2:9
“
I have known of Peachtree Presbyterian Church for all of my
ministry. I have known of Rich Kannwischer for close to 20 of
those years. For a very long time I have sensed that the trajectory
of Rich's ministry would eventually lead him to this great church.
His blend of intellect, warmth, integrity, strength as well as his
deep immersion in the Good News of Jesus Christ, make him
the perfect match for all that God has done and is about to do
through Peachtree Presbyterian Church.”
“
“
– Dave Peterson, Interim Senior Pastor, Peachtree Presbyterian
ich's extensive leadership
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experience, coupled with his
immense preaching talent
make him the ideal choice for
Peachtree. I can hardly contain
my excitement when I consider
Peachtree’s future as God
works through Rich to lead our
congregation!”
– Will Wray, PNC Member
ich is an extraordinarily gifted
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pastor, a superb preacher, and
an able administrator, fully
equipped both by education
and experience to handle the
responsibilities.”
– Frank Skinner, PNC Member
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LETTER FROM KELLY
Dear Peachtree Family,
The call to Peachtree is not merely a pastoral decision for Richard, but a prayerful
choice by our whole family. Coming back to the South is truly coming home for me, and
we are so eager to share iced tea and homemade pie (as God clearly designed Christian
fellowship to be). This exciting time only deepens the family of God and extends that
family to others. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes and lives as we begin this
great new adventure together.
Gratefully yours,
“
“
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ich is the perfect leader for our
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church and a gifted preacher
to draw people to the word
of God. He, Kelly and the girls
are wonderful additions to
our church and the Atlanta
community.”
– Donna Hyland, PNC Member
s a mom, getting to know Kelly
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has been like meeting a true
friend. She is real, genuine and
welcoming – the type of person
who I would invite to my house
for coffee.”
– Jessica Lawrence, PNC Member
Kelly grew up in Tampa,
Florida. She earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree
from the University of
Virginia and a Master
of Divinity degree from
Princeton Theological
Seminary. Professionally,
Kelly has served in the
not-for-profit sector as an
executive and consultant.
Rich and Kelly have two
daughters. Danica, 13, is
involved in basketball,
stage management and
enjoys studying history.
Ashby, 11, also plays
basketball and enjoys art.
She loves penguins and
marine science.
“
“
“
“
ich has been a good friend and mentor for many years, and I can’t
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think of anyone more uniquely gifted to lead this great church than
him. He is a visionary, a strong preacher, and most of all he points
people to Jesus with his life.”
– Bryan Dunagan, Sr. Pastor, Highland Park Presbyterian Church
ich is a visionary and proven leader who will build on our history
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of inspirational preaching and will ensure we continue to positively
impact our community and the world.”
– Taylor Glover, PNC Member
od has clearly chosen Rich and his family to come to pastor, lead
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and serve as we follow Jesus to do evangelical mission work here in
Atlanta and beyond.”
– Beth Stevens, PNC Member
ur committee has been of one mind since we heard him preach.
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Rich is the answer to our prayers to be Peachtree’s next leader.”
– Sylvia Ratchford, PNC Member
“AND I WILL GIVE YOU SHEPHERDS AFTER
MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL FEED YOU WITH
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.”
– JEREMIAH 3:15
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Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Rd. NW / Atlanta, GA 30305