REVEREND DAVID F. RICHARDS III, M.Div

Reverend David F. Richards III, M.Div, currently serves as the Senior Pastor of New Hope A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia, in the Buckhead community.  He serves under the Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District, Michael Leon Mitchell, and the Presiding Elder of the West Atlanta District, Thomas R. Stegall.

Pastor received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Savannah State University, and his Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Care, Hebrew Bible and Hebrew Language, cum laude, from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). He is also a Board Certified Eligible Chaplain by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc., an affiliate of the Association of Professional Chaplains.

His special calling to spread God’s word of Salvation comes from Jeremiah 3:14–16, to lead the flock and pray for those in bondage. His dedication to uplifting the church, community, and the world has strengthened his ministry and faith. In his quest to reach as many of God’s children as a servant leader, Pastor Richards' ministry has spanned the State of Georgia, the country, and globally in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Soweto, and Robins Island in South Africa. He has also been honored with several awards for his community work and ministry, including the ITC Hall of Fame, 2015 Gospel Choice Award for faithful service and the uplift of Social Justice, a “Key to the City” in 2007, and a “Day of Proclamation” in April 2008 for his work in the Valdosta, Georgia community.

Pastor is intentional about preserving the legacy and property of New Hope A.M.E. Church through the congregation’s commitment to sustain the historic anchor in the Buckhead Community. Through those efforts, New Hope A.M.E. Church was approved by the City Council of Atlanta, Georgia, with the honor of Site of Designation Landmark on June 2, 2026. He has steered the development of the 501(c)(3) New Hope Community Foundation, Inc. and the Capital Fund Campaign, while also spearheading the Historical Restoration of the Church. Community-focused, Richards serves, by appointment from the Supreme Court of Georgia, on the Committee on Arbitration of Attorney Fee Disputes, is a founding board member of Respite Care Atlanta, Inc., and serves as Chair of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference (ANGC) Third-Year Board of Examiners. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a certified Black-Belt Tae Kwon Do Instructor.

Pastor Richards has been married to Lady Linda S. Richards for over 35 years. 

Through this union, they have four gifted sons: David IV, Micah, Aaron, and Joshua.