Our Leadership
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV)
Christ is the only King and Head of His church. He governs His people through officers He has appointed: elders, who rule and shepherd the flock, and deacons, who lead the ministry of mercy. At Seven Springs these men are elected by the congregation, examined, and ordained according to the Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The Session
Ruling Elders are men chosen by the congregation and ordained to shepherd and govern the church alongside the pastor. Together with the teaching elder, they form the Session and are responsible for the spiritual oversight, discipline, and care of the congregation.
Book of Church Order 7-2; 8-1; 12-1
Thomas E. Rickard
Teaching Elder
Pastor
Pastor since 2020
Thomas Rickard has served as pastor of Seven Springs since March 2020. Born and raised in Australia, he worked as a carpenter before being called to the ministry, and earned his Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is married to Sarah, and they have four children.
Junior Cook
Ruling Elder
Jack Olinger
Ruling Elder
Dayton Owens
Ruling Elder
Sidney Parker
Ruling Elder
Clerk of Session
Wes Wyatt
Ruling Elder
The Diaconate
Deacons are men chosen and ordained to lead the church’s ministry of mercy and service. They care especially for practical needs, the poor and distressed, and the stewardship of the church’s material resources.
Book of Church Order 7-2; 9-1
PJ Catron
Deacon
Chairman
Buck Gregory
Deacon
Noah Keyes
Deacon
Pastor Emeritus
A pastor emeritus is a retired minister whom the congregation has honored for his past labors among them. He is not a member of the Session, which consists of the pastor and the ruling elders.
Book of Church Order 23-3; 12-1
Thomas B. Sullivan
Pastor Emeritus
1973–2018
Pastor Sullivan was ordained and installed at Seven Springs on June 15, 1973, and served the congregation for forty-five years. He led Seven Springs through its withdrawal from the PCUS and into the Presbyterian Church in America in 1978, and in 1982 became the church’s first full-time pastor. A certified biblical counselor, he also taught theology, Bible, and counseling at Graham Bible College. He retired in December 2018.