Equipping Urban Church Leaders to Advance God's Kingdom
Staff & Faculty
Pastor Earl Wright – Site Coordinator/Mentor
Pastor Earl F. Wright studied theology at Columbia Evangelical Seminary and has pastored three churches over the last forty years. Earl also served as moderator of the Association of Charismatic Reformed Churches. He is married to Judy Wright and enjoys spending his time with her.
Dr. Rick Horne – Associate Site Coordinator/Mentor
Doctor Rick Horne’s educational background: B.S. (PBU), M. Div. (Reformed Episcopal Seminary), M.Ed. (West Chester University), D.Min. (Westminster Theological Seminary).
Dr. Horne has served for more than 30 years in Christian school guidance and counseling programs in two Christian schools. He has also worked full-time with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) for a year and a half and has served on their Board for 20 years. Rick is currently Associate Site Coordinator of The Urban Ministry Institute-Chester, PA, teaching their urban church seminary courses in the city of Chester and in the local state prison. He has also been developing, teaching and recording, in association with CCEF, a curriculum for pastoral counseling for urban church leaders. Rick has served in bi-vocational pastoral roles in three Philadelphia area churches over the last 38 years.
Rick has four books published by the Association of Christian Schools International and two by Shepherd Press. The former are about school guidance and counseling matters and one is for teachers and administrators dealing biblical strategies for addressing scornful attitudes in the Christian school. His most recent books, Get Outta My Face, and Get Offa My Case, published by Shepherd Press, are addressed to parents. The first addresses how to talk to angry and unmotivated teens. The second, how to parent them in a godly way and still hold them biblically accountable if they won’t talk. Rick has spoken on these topics in Europe, Asia, and North, South and Central American countries. Rick and his wife Betty have been married 45 years and have six children, five are married. They have 15 grand children.
Pastor Anton Hackett – Mentor
Senior Pastor Anton Hackett, Sr. was anointed and appointed by God to serve as the Pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Linwood, Pennsylvania in September, 2004. He is an energetic and visionary leader who motivates the church to be “A Great Church with a Great Vision Serving A Great God” (1 John 4:4). Under his leadership, the great Mount Olive Baptist Church family is truly being equipped for victorious Kingdom living and for being disciples in advancing God’s Kingdom. His constant shout of praise to the Lord is “JOY” (“Jesus on Your Side”)!
Pastor Hackett is happily married to First Lady Debra Hackett and they are blessed with three children and two grandchildren.
Pastor Hackett loves God’s people, and is totally committed to the enrichment of life for his fellow man. He retired as the Director, Project Outreach, Office of Capital Projects, for the School District of Philadelphia in 2012. As a civic leader, Pastor Hackett served as a Committeeman in the Wynnefield area of Philadelphia for over 30 years, and served as First Chairman of the Executive Board of the 52nd Ward under the Honorable Mayor Michael A. Nutter. Pastor Hackett serves as a mentor and instructor for The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) which is a training institution to equip leaders for the urban church in order to advance the Kingdom of God.
His Divine Appointment: I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. John 15:16…….TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Dr. Richard E. Erickson – Mentor
Dr. Erickson earned his Ph.D. from Temple in 1979 and has been involved in education since the 1960s. Over the years he has been awarded many fellowships including three Fullbright fellowships. His published works include his two most recent: “‘NCLB,’ Building Better Schools, NEA Publication, 2007” and “So You’re Gonna Teach English in China, American International Cultural Exchange Institute, Manual.” Dr. Erickson brings his vast experience and knowledge in education to the forefront of our prison ministry.
Michael Norquist – Mentor
Michael Norquist has been involved with different aspects of Christian ministry including Worship Leader, Sunday School teacher, Chairman of Property and Maintenance Committee, and Small Group leader. He is currently an Elder with Grace Bible Fellowship Church – Wallingford, PA.
Michael’s heart for Christ and others is clearly seen in his care and ministry to those who are incarcerated as he mentors and teaches them through TUMI.
Tom Wisneski - Mentor
Tom Wisneski earned a B.A. from Widener University, with majors in History and in English Literature, and a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Virginia. Since 1990, Tom has worked at Williamson College of the Trades in Media, PA, initially as a Communications Instructor, then as Dean of Education, and currently as Vice President of Research and Assessment. After serving on the board of trustees of The Christian Academy for nine years, including board president for six years, Tom was eager to become more involved in direct ministry. It was then that he was approached by his friend and pastor, Rick Horne, and encouraged to consider working with TUMI. After attending a class, then co-teaching a class, Tom started teaching solo in the Spring of 2017. He has been blessed by the sincere passion and love of the students for God and His Word.
Dick Taylor - Mentor
Dick was the Senior Pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship Church from 1982 to January 2016. He and his wife Joyce are the parents of six children, and 12 grandchildren. Dick is a lover of history and its stories! He enjoys researching the history of the Bible Fellowship Church, the Civil War, and the Taylor family. Dick’s personal history has its origins in Montrose, PA, where he was born in 1947. In 1969 he earned a BA in Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College. That same spring, he and Joyce, also a student at Ursinus, were married. While continuing his studies at Westminster Theological Seminary, from 1969-1973, Dick served as a student assistant at Graterford Bible Fellowship Church. He was then called to be Pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship Church in Spring City. Nine years later he began his ministry at Grace Bible Fellowship Church. During his time in Wallingford, Dick earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. He continues to serve in the Bible Fellowship Church as Mentoring Assistant to church planters in Church Extension Ministries. He and Joyce continue to be part of the congregation and ministry of Grace Church.