Dr. Sargent is a native West Virginian, born in Clarksburg. During his most formative years, he attended the Bridgeport Baptist Church in Bridgeport, WV, where he gave his heart to the Lord while in elementary school. At age 15, he felt the call of God into full-time Christian service while attending summer youth camp.
He graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in Fairmont, WV, and then did undergraduate studies at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV, where he graduated with honors in 1972. He attended Spurgeon's College in London, England, from 1972-1975, receiving his BD with third class honors from the University of London in 1975. His Doctor of Ministry degree was earned at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, in 1985.
Richard was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church of Fairmont, WV, in 1968, and served while a student at Alderson-Broaddus as pastor of the Sardis Baptist and Marshville Baptist Churches. During his time in London, he served as Pastor of the Brondesbury Baptist Church. Since finishing seminary and entering full-time ministry, he has served as pastor of the Sutton Baptist Church, Sutton, WV; the First Baptist Church of Racine, WV; and the First Baptist Church of South Charleston, WV.
Richard married his first wife, Waverly Snider, in 1972, and they had two children: W Abraham, currently on staff at Wayne State University in Detroit; and their adopted daughter Sarah, who currently resides in Point Pleasant with her husband and two children. Following Waverly's death in 1990, he was a single parent until he married Judy L. Miller in 1993. They have since adopted a daughter, Rebekah, born in 1997; a daughter, Justina, born in 1990, and a daughter Rachel, born in 1999.
Cory Sullivan began his ministry with our youth on January 1, 2008. Cory is a native of Point Pleasant, and a graduate of Christ Academy. He received his degree in youth ministry from Ohio Christian University in 2006, after which he served as Youth Minister at the Hedges Chapel Church of Christ in Christian Union in Ashville, Ohio, until his coming to Main Street Baptist Church. Cory has also had experience as a camp counselor, youth team leader, singer, preacher and evangelist leading youth events.
Cory and his wife, Rachel, were married January 6, 2007. Rachel is a 2007 graduate of Ohio Christian Univeristy with a degree in psychology and counseling.