Pastor Steve Richardson was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised right outside the city limits in Grove City. He was born into a Christian family who attended Bible Baptist Church and they were actively involved. Pastor Richardson remembers going forward during a morning invitation at age seven to receive Christ. But over the years, there were doubts in his mind about his salvation although he continued to serve in his church. His areas of ministry were his bus route, which began at age 12, being part of the youth group, singing in various choral groups and singing in the choir.

When Pastor was 18, a drama group from Bob Jones University was invited to his home church. As he watched the drama about a young man who wasn't sure of his salvation and when the rapture came, he was left behind, Pastor Richardson knew the time had come to make sure of his salvation. He went forward that night of June 19, 1982 and has had no doubt since that he is on his way to heaven.

After graduating from high school, Pastor attended Baptist Bible College of Springfield, Missouri, where he started as a freshman on the Varsity Basketball Team. This team won the NACC Division II National Championship and Pastor Richardson made All-Tournament team. In his sophomore season, he fell and tore the ligaments in his right foot which ended his college basketball career. But that summer, he married his childhood best friend, the girl down the street, Sindi Hamby on August 9, 1985. They now have five beautiful girls: Lacey, Leeanna, Renae, Nicole and Katie.

After his marriage, Pastor remained active at his home church in Ohio and surrendered his life to the Lord to use as He saw fit. Pastor became youth director in his own church in Grove City, Ohio. He worked in the ministry there until 1998 when the Lord led him to Heritage Baptist Church as youth pastor under Pastor Tracy Fowler. The Lord gave Pastor a love and heart for young people and camp work which led him to Willow Valley Camp where he was camp director for seven camp seasons where many young people were saved and gave their lives for God's service.

While in Willow Valley, the Richardson family became involved in small churches in the Appalachian region. They saw a need for help in music, pulpit supply, special meetings, VBS and more. They worked in 30-50 small churches each year, filling in where they were needed. Then, Willow Valley Baptist Church was in need of a pastor. In 2005, Pastor Richardson answered the call to become pastor of this small church and saw it grow spiritually as well as in number.

However, the Lord continued to speak to Pastor's heart about ministering deeper into the Appalachia...into West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. Pastor Richardson met Pastor Jeff Fugate of Clays Mill Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Pastor Fugate shared the Richardson family vision to start a new work in Minnie, Kentucky. Pastor Richardson was ordained at Heritage Baptist Church in Canal Winchester on August 12, 2006. And so the work at CrossRidge Baptist Church begins.