The Pastor Nominating Committee is excited to introduce

The Reverend Dr. Richard Kannwischer As our candidate to become Peachtree Presbyterian Church's next Senior Pastor

"Shout joyfully to the LORD" – Psalm 100:1

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 4:19

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." – 1 Corinthians 15:58

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LETTER FROM THE PNC

Friends,

We have been honored to serve on Peachtree’s Pastor Nominating Committee. Throughout our journey to select Peachtree’s next senior pastor, we have often reflected on the enormity of the responsibility, the trust that you, our fellow members, have placed in us, and the impact that our choice would have on the Peachtree church and the city of Atlanta both for now and decades to come.

The time has come to vote on a new leader for Peachtree. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we introduce you to the Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer, a 43-year-old native Texan who is currently serving as the lead pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California.

As you’ll soon learn, Rich exemplifies all of the key criteria that you asked us to identify in our next senior pastor. Rich is:

• an exceptional preacher who will carry on Peachtree’s tradition of great preaching,

• a teacher in alignment with our core tenets: centrality of Jesus, authority of scripture, Presbyterian, evangelical and missional,

• a strong and experienced leader capable of managing the scope and scale of Peachtree and our important role in the Atlanta community,

• a vision caster who dreams God-sized dreams and makes them happen, and

• an energetic and passionate pastor who engages on a personal level with people of all generations.

During the selection process, we have grown to know Rich, his wife Kelly, and their two daughters Danica and Ashby. We’ve prayed together, shared numerous meals on two coasts, strategized on challenges and opportunities, visited with clients at the Atlanta Mission, planned transition activities and had a lot of laughter and fun together.

This process was truly led by God who was with us every step of the journey, pointing us to Rich and removing obstacles that stood in our way. Our committee is confident that God has called Rich to Peachtree. We, therefore, with great joy and enthusiasm, unanimously submit our recommendation to you that the Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer be confirmed as our next senior pastor.

Yours In Christ,

Your Pastor Nominating Committee

“ With his unwavering faith, clear vision and personable leadership style, I firmly believe that Rich has been called to our church, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for Peachtree.”

– Terry Moore, Co-Chair, PNC

“ Rich’s joy for preaching, his ease of speaking, his love of the Word of God, and his relationship with the congregation are absolutely the way I want to be engaged on Sunday mornings.”

– Margaret Young, Co-Chair, PNC

From left to right: Taylor Glover, Frank Skinner, Terry Moore, Jessica Lawrence, James W. Cross, Jr., Beth Stevens, Sylvia Ratchford, Jim Borders, Will Wray, Donna Hyland, and Margaret Young

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THE REVEREND DR. RICHARD KANNWISCHER

Education

Fuller Theological Seminary, Doctorate of Ministry

Princeton Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity

Trinity University, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

Pastoral Experience

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lead Pastor, Newport Beach, California

First Presbyterian Church, Senior Pastor, San Antonio, Texas

Central Presbyterian Church, Senior Pastor, Summit, New Jersey

First Presbyterian Church, Associate Pastor, Houston, Texas

Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Intern, New York City, New York

Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Intern, Dallas, Texas

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Intern, Houston, Texas

Past and Present Community Leadership

Board of Trustees, Fuller Theological Seminary

Doctor of Ministry Adjunct Faculty, Fuller Theological Seminary

Board of Trustees, Princeton Theological Seminary

Board of Trustees, Trinity University

Board of Trustees, Presbyterian School of Houston

President, Alumni Executive Council, Princeton Theological Seminary

Lead Navigator, Auxano Corporation

Chaplain, City of Summit Police

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“ Rich’s passion for Scripture is displayed in the way he delivers God’s timeless truth with energy in a way that is understandable, without compromising the greatness of the truth.”

– James Cross, PNC Member

“ Peachtree has a long tradition of outstanding intergenerational preaching from its senior minister, and I was struck immediately by Rich's uplifting, relevant message, and his extraordinary gift of connection with everyone.”

– Jim Borders, PNC Member

“ Rich's extensive leadership experience, coupled with his immense preaching talent make him the ideal choice for Peachtree. I can hardly contain my excitement when I consider Peachtree’s future as God works through Rich to lead our congregation!”

– Will Wray, PNC Member

“ Rich is an extraordinarily gifted pastor, a superb preacher, and an able administrator, fully equipped both by education and experience to handle the responsibilities.”

– Frank Skinner, PNC Member

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LETTER FROM RICH

Dear Peachtree,

One of the most important moments of my life was when the Christian faith moved from being an idea of God to a relationship with God. Following a similar pattern over the last few months, the idea of joining the Peachtree family changed from a concept to a relationship with your Pastoral Nominating Committee. Your interim pastor, Dave Peterson, is fond of saying “ministry only moves at the speed of friendship.” As my friendship with your team grew, so did my sense of the Spirit’s leading.

I have known the rich legacy of your ministry to Atlanta and beyond, but now I am convicted to embrace your mission as my own. Our family is both humbled and honored to join with you in the potential of this next season of your leadership. We are so excited to begin the gospel journey together, and we look forward to getting to know you as we share in the joy of following Jesus Christ.

With anticipation,

1 Corinthians 2:9

“ I have known of Peachtree Presbyterian Church for all of my ministry. I have known of Rich Kannwischer for close to 20 of those years. For a very long time I have sensed that the trajectory of Rich's ministry would eventually lead him to this great church. His blend of intellect, warmth, integrity, strength as well as his deep immersion in the Good News of Jesus Christ, make him the perfect match for all that God has done and is about to do through Peachtree Presbyterian Church.”

– Dave Peterson, Interim Senior Pastor, Peachtree Presbyterian

LETTER FROM KELLY

Dear Peachtree Family,

The call to Peachtree is not merely a pastoral decision for Richard, but a prayerful choice by our whole family. Coming back to the South is truly coming home for me, and we are so eager to share iced tea and homemade pie (as God clearly designed Christian fellowship to be). This exciting time only deepens the family of God and extends that family to others. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes and lives as we begin this great new adventure together.

Gratefully yours,

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“ Rich is the perfect leader for our church and a gifted preacher to draw people to the word of God. He, Kelly and the girls are wonderful additions to our church and the Atlanta community.”

– Donna Hyland, PNC Member

“ As a mom, getting to know Kelly has been like meeting a true friend. She is real, genuine and welcoming – the type of person who I would invite to my house for coffee.”

– Jessica Lawrence, PNC Member

Kelly grew up in Tampa, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Professionally, Kelly has served in the not-for-profit sector as an executive and consultant.

Rich and Kelly have two daughters. Danica, 13, is involved in basketball, stage management and enjoys studying history. Ashby, 11, also plays basketball and enjoys art. She loves penguins and marine science.

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“ Rich has been a good friend and mentor for many years, and I can’t think of anyone more uniquely gifted to lead this great church than him. He is a visionary, a strong preacher, and most of all he points people to Jesus with his life.”

– Bryan Dunagan, Sr. Pastor, Highland Park Presbyterian Church

“ Rich is a visionary and proven leader who will build on our history of inspirational preaching and will ensure we continue to positively impact our community and the world.” – Taylor Glover, PNC Member

“ God has clearly chosen Rich and his family to come to pastor, lead and serve as we follow Jesus to do evangelical mission work here in Atlanta and beyond.” – Beth Stevens, PNC Member

“ Our committee has been of one mind since we heard him preach. Rich is the answer to our prayers to be Peachtree’s next leader.” – Sylvia Ratchford, PNC Member

“AND I WILL GIVE YOU SHEPHERDS AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL FEED YOU WITH

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.”

– JEREMIAH 3:15

Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Rd. NW / Atlanta, GA 30305