MEET RICKEY!

Rickey Bernard Harvey, Jr. was born April 7, 1991 in Memphis, TN, where he was raised in the admonition of the Lord. He is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Accounting. During his undergraduate time at RIT, he answered the call to Christian ministry and has since directed his life towards fulfilling the call of God to serve others. A second-generation Baptist minister, Rickey began his preaching ministry under the pastorate of his father, Rev. Dr. Rickey Harvey of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester, NY. He was later licensed and ordained to ministry under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Frederick Johnson of the First Genesis Baptist Church, where he served as Minister to Youth and Young Adults. Currently, he proudly serves as the Youth Pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, MD, where Rev. Dr. Robert A.F. Turner is Senior Pastor. His favorite scripture is Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God".

Reverend Harvey holds a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where he has served as President of the Black Student Caucus and Baptist Student Alliance there, among other extracurricular roles that he fulfills. His ministry is a refreshing combination of both traditional and contemporary worship styles, enabling him to have anointed impact on seasoned saints as well as youth and young adults. Through his ministry, youth and young adult ministries have developed strong infrastructures that continue to grow spiritually and numerically.

Within his call to Christian ministry, Rickey nurtures a passion and appreciation for music ministry. He possesses an enthusiastic appreciation for the hymns of the church and devotional songs as well as contemporary praise and worship. A recording artist, he recently released a 4-song EP entitled “The Best I Can Be”, which includes 3 original songs and a medley of hymns that is available everywhere that music is sold digitally. Considering music a universal language, he uses it as another channel through which to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. As music is a vital part of the life of many churches, his gift of song helps to provide wholesome worship experiences for broad ranging congregants.

​Rickey Harvey, Jr. is also a contributing author to the recently released book Empower Now: True Stories from 14 Young Minority Professionals. This opportunity to become a published author expanded his frame of reference for how ministry can be done through various mediums, certainly to include preaching, and also to include the publication of literature.

A frequent speaker to inner-city youth groups, he strives to promote spirituality, scholarship, professionalism, and community. Those who know him best note that one of the best qualities about him is his sense of humor. With that, though, comes a seriousness about ministry, showing God’s love, and service to others. He affirms the words of Howard Thurman, that “There is a certain grandeur and nobility in administering to another’s need out of one’s fullness and plenty.” Serving others through his gifts and talents, Rickey Harvey, Jr. believes that the best investment anyone can make is offering others hope through help and life through love.