SOUTH QUAY
You’re known by the company you keep, as the expression goes, and that also holds true for Richard H. Baird. He recently joined the list of people who have served as pastor of South Quay Baptist Church, which will be 242 years old this year.

Decades before arriving here, Baird was not thinking about leading a congregation. He explained that while having been raised in a church, the message of needing a savior never really sank in. After high school, Baird went on to train as an EMT and did military duty with an artillery unit. At that time, he again heard the good news about Jesus Christ, but wasn’t willing to commit.

The strong influence of two Christian men brought him around while Baird was working as a construction laborer after he had been discharged.

“Three years later I dedicated my life to Christ and was challenged into full time ministry,” he explained.

While studying at New Tribes Bible Institute in Missouri, Baird met Cheryl, who had been involved in the church since a child. Her faith led to the same school. They married after two years of talking and corresponding. They then spent 1 ½ years in their home church teaching Sunday School and also aiding the youth group.

Their walk in Christian life led them to train with New Tribes Mission, and for four years the couple served on the Buglere’ missionary team. Upon our return to the States, we became involved once again in our home church ministry and local community.

Afterward, the Bairds went to Florida, and served there until he began a Google search for a new church.

And here he is.