Reverend Richard C. Lewis Jr. (Rick) grew up in Rock Hill, SC.  As a youth, Rick was active in many church, community, and after school activities, among which were delivering newspapers, working at Proctor Music (a music, band, and record store), German, Latin and Key Clubs, Varsity Wrestling Team, Mixed Chorus (All State and Honors Choir), Boy Scouts (Eagle with two silver palms). Especially meaningful to him were the opportunities to attend the Boy Scout National Jamboree and the backpacking experience at Philmont, the Boy Scout ranch in the Rocky Mountains.
Rick grew up in the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill, where he was active in youth groups. In fact, his first taste of leading in worship was for the occasional youth Sunday that was led by the youth of the church. His acquaintance with the beliefs and work of the church began early as he recited the Westminster Shorter Catechism, served as Youth Representative to the meeting of the General Synod, and attended various retreats and conferences with the youth.
Graduating from Northwestern High School, he went on to attend Erskine College, from which he graduated in 1979, earning an AB in History. While at Erskine, Rick served three terms on the college Judicial Council, serving as Secretary and two terms as Chairman. He was also a member of the Erskine College Choraleers, ARP Student Union, Student Christian Association Cabinet, Student Senate, Representative to SC Student Legislature, Selected to membership in Omicron Delta Kappa (served as President), and was selected to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities."
Having answered the call to the ministry, he entered Erskine Theological Seminary in 1979. During Seminary he also served as Vice President of the student body, a "rider" for the seminary's preaching circuit for vacant pulpits, and as Residence Hall Director (a.k.a. "Dorm Daddy") of the college's Pressly Dorm. He served as summer associate at the Neely's Creek and Bartow ARP churches;  was licensed to preach the Gospel in March 1982;  and graduated from Erskine Seminary (M. Div.) in May that same year.
The spring and summer of 1982 provided a lively time in his life. Upon graduation from seminary, he was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry on May 30, married on June 26 to Belinda Gail Sellers (a native of Bartow, Fla., and testimony to Erskine's reputation as a "marital institution"), and began his first pastorate at the Ora ARP Church in Laurens County, SC in July.
Rev. Lewis served the Ora congregation until 1989 when he was called to become Mission Developer of the "Scots Kirk" ARP Mission in Summerville, SC.  During his ministry there, the Church grew from a core group of 23 people to over 120; they completed construction of their first building in 1995, formally organized as a congregation in 1996, and called Rev. Lewis as their first minister.
In community activities, Rick was an election precinct attendant for the Ora community, and a member of the Laurens Lions club, also serving as President of the club. In Summerville, his activities included Lions Club ('89-'92), Summerville Elementary PTO Volunteer coordinator, PTO President, Chairman of School Improvement Council;  member and Vice Pres. of the Briarwood Civic Organization;  selected for service on the Summerville School District 2 Task Force (for long range goals and objectives),  and Summerville Oakbrook Breakfast Rotary Club.
Some of the capacities in which he has served our Presbyteries and Denomination are: Jr. High Director for Second Presbytery; Board member and Secretary of the Due West Retirement Center Board, Dunlap Orphanage Fund Board (Chmn.); Moderator of Second Presbytery; Minister and His Work Committee (Second, Catawba, and First Presbyteries); Catawba Presbytery Christian Ed. Committee Chairman;  Synod’s Board of Covenant Discipleship (Christian Ed.);  First Presbytery’s Committee on Retirement Homes;  and Vice Moderator of Fist Presbytery.
Rick's recreational interests are fishing, woodworking, water sports (especially skiing), snow skiing, reading, and gardening when possible.
He counts his greatest asset to be his wife, Belinda, a 1983 graduate of Erskine College (BS in Home Economics/Education).  She provided the enthusiasm and leadership necessary for the formation and organization of the Scots Kirk Women of the Church.  She has been active in the work of the Women of the Church at each of their three pastorates, served as President of the Ora WOC, Bible Study leader for the Scots Kirk WOC, and as Spiritual Life Chairman for the denomination’s Women’s Synodical Union.  She also enjoys participating in ministry with Rick, and often goes with him on regular pastoral calls as appropriate.
There are three daughters in the Lewis family Rebekah, Rachel, and Miriam. The newest addition to the family (and only other male in the household) is their Chocolate Lab, whose storied name happens to be "Beau."

When Rick is asked what his hope is for Pisgah's future, he states, 
"My desire for Pisgah is that in all things Christ may have the preeminence.  As we worship and serve him together it is my prayer that His body, the church, may be blessed through the perfecting of the saints (believers) for the work of
ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Rick became the minister of the Pisgah ARP church in November of 2000.