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Biography
Deborah Richards
Deborah Richards, a native of the Chicago land area, has dedicated her life to winning Souls for Jesus Christ. She officially received her Ordination as an Elder and Pastor through the Churches Of God In Christ National Headquarters, Memphis, TN. Deborah has travelled worldwide, ministering the word of God along with her daughter DeLeon who is a renowned gospel singer. She is also the wife and Co-Pastor along with her husband Elder Robert L. Richards of the New Way of Life Church of God In Christ in Waukegan, IL. The sharing of this couple's unique marital experiences has helped many suffering marriages find restoration in hopeless situations. Most importantly, Deborah is best remembered for passing JESUS cards out all over the world that simply says, "Jesus Is Coming Soon, Be Ready! It is evident that God has singled this woman out as a modern day Moses. She dedicates this site in memory of her dear Mother (Thelma Wallace) who taught her how to love God at a very early age.
Deborah considered herself very ordinary and like many had to struggle with the spiritual side of her life. Satan knew the impact she would have if she were sold out for Jesus so he set out after her at a young age to destroy her with a sequence of rough roads. Several times she said, "I can't live this Christ life nor carry the burdens it requires, I am going to quit! Satan wanted to prevail over her life but God said no! The series of trials God allowed her to go through would turn her attention back on Him. God always gets what he wants. She concluded, "Lord, enough is enough, I surrender!" She knew from that moment over 30 years ago she could no longer run from God, she had a job to do for Him. She had to accept the call or face the consequences for her rebellion. Deborah chose Jesus!
It was evident Deborah Richards better known as (Debbie) had a profound calling on her life when at the tender age of 4 asked to sing in front of her church congregation. Her music ministry began to flourish and by the age of 11, she was skillfully conducting her church choir. Debbie started traveling throughout the Chicagoland area with her long time family group, "The Harmonetts". By the time Debbie was eighteen she was writing, producing and recording her very own original gospel tunes. Debbie's skillful talents further advanced to directing state and national choirs throughout the U.S. and abroad.
These accomplishments were great to Debbie, but not as great as her mission was for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She received a revelation in her early twenty's while sitting at her dining room table that came to her like this...
Dear Friend,
Have you thought about making JESUS CHRIST your personal savior? Don't wait until it's too late, JESUS is coming sooner than you think. Prepare yourself NOW!
Jesus Loves You
Pass This Message On!
Even though thirty years have gone by since the Lord gave Debbie this profound message, she still adamantly hands out cards with this same message on them. No one is exempt from receiving this card whether a homeless soul or rich and famous. They must be told. Debbie further expands the ministry of the card by asking the receiver to pass the card on to some one else. She believes that one card passed on and on can make a difference to thousands. "It is not impossible," says Debbie.
Debbie's dedication to bring people to Christ didn't stop there. She worked for more than 3 decades with at risk youth shuttling them back and forth to church, teaching them how to love God and themselves. Debbie's love was not isolated to just helping youth in the church but her greatest impact was with the unloved. Debbie is a woman of excellence and believes you can do anything with the help of God.
Debbie has ministered to countless people, yet there are two individuals who greatly exemplify Debbie's dedication in touching lives. She met a young man named Jacob, handicapped and living in a homeless state. The neighborhood children taunted him and threw stones at him because of his limp, disheveled appearance and unpleasant smell. Debbie was broken hearted about the treatment this young man was receiving.
One day Debbie had the privilege of approaching him on the street and offered him a ride to his destination. She informed the children not to tease or mock Jacob rather to treat him with love and respect, that he was one of God's Angel's. She cleaned Jacob up, turning him into a fresh, good smelling and respectable young man. She bought him clothing to wear to church, helped him get a job and additional assistance for the handicap. Debbie followed the example of JESUS, when He embraced the man with leprosy, when society had cast him out.
Daniel was another soul among many that was embraced by Debbie. He was a Viet Nam veteran, living in a nursing home, struggling with an alcohol addiction, smoking and emotional unstable. Debbie would pick him up for church, visit him in the home and bring him home-cooked meals. During the holidays, Debbie brought her then, five year old daughter DeLeon, to sing Christmas carols for the nursing home residents. She made friends with the staff and families, bringing love and joy to the otherwise dismal atmosphere. Daniel grew to enjoy coming to church and even joined the choir. Debbie's outreach ministry not only touched the life of Daniel but also brought a light to the entire nursing home.
Debbie Richards is a child of God and His light truly radiates in her life. She is doing His mission as she fulfills her purpose and destiny. In these times of trouble, threats of war, terrorism looming and the ongoing insensitivity for the less fortunate, Debbie exhibits the kind of "spirit" we desperately need in these unsettling times.
Last last thing I want to say about Debbie is that she was my choir director, teacher, minister and friend. I was fortunate to be one of the flower's she help bloom at a very young age. She took me under her wing and taught me much wisdom. She is a dynamic choir director and singer but what I can really remember about Debbie is that she not only taught the Word of God, she lived it everyday. There were generations of children that would gladly speak of the influence Debbie had in their lives if given the privilege. Thank you Debbie for giving us all YOU! If other's are ever blessed to cross her path, they will never forget her smile and her love.
It was a privilege to write her biography.
-Regina Chamberlain