Meet The Pastor
Founder and Pastor Matthew E. Drake
Pastor Drake was originally from a small, rural town in Upstate New York where he joined the US Navy. After Serving for four years as a Gunner in Gulf War I, Pastor Drake moved to North Carolina with his wife Stacy, where they became the Youth Pastors of Landmark UPC in Lexington.
The Drake's then moved to Madison, IN for several years with his Defense Contracting position and served as Evangelism Pastor in the local Church.
Finally, after four children and several years - the Drake's moved back to NC, where they served as Associate Pastor to a UPC Church in Jacksonville.
The Drake's started Richlands UPC as a Bible Study in the Richlands McDonald's Dining Room, where it grew to 39 people. They then purchased the property on Huffmantown Road in order to build the Church.
On September 22nd, 2017 350 volunteers from around the Country participated in a Church In A Day Build - starting on Friday morning at 0700 and finishing the Church on Saturday afternoon!