Family, education, and professional life
A Baltimore life shaped by family, service, and stewardship.
Richard Jerome Pender, Sr. was born in 1948 to Willard and Corrine Pender. He was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1966. He continued his studies at Coppin State College, concentrating in elementary education with additional study in mathematics.
In 1969, he married Patricia Bernice Evans. Family remained central to his life and ministry, and his official investiture sketch remembered his care for his children, extended family, and granddaughter as one of his abiding joys.
Professionally, he served for more than twenty-seven years as a business manager with Archway Ford and its successor, Mel Farr Ford. He expanded his financial training through specialized programs offered by Ford Motor Company and other finance and insurance institutes in Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Pastoral and episcopal service
Faithfulness in administration became preparation for pastoral leadership.
Bishop Pender served Beth-El Temple Church of Christ in numerous capacities, including more than twenty years as Church Administrator. He formally acknowledged his call to ministry in 1996 and was consecrated and installed as Assistant Pastor in November 1998.
After the passing of his spiritual father, Apostle Robert Evans, Jr., Pastor Pender was installed as Senior Pastor of Beth-El Temple on October 14, 2000. Four years later, he was elevated to the episcopacy during the Holy Convocation of the Beth-El Churches of Christ. He also served the national fellowship as Treasurer and as a member of its executive leadership.
In 2019, the College of Bishops elected Bishop Pender as the third Presiding Bishop following the death of Bishop Bernard N. Bragg. A formal service of apostolic investiture was held at Beth-El Temple, the Mother Church, on October 27, 2022.
Stewardship and continuity
Strengthening the House through faithful and practical leadership.
Bishop Pender became known for his love for the House of God and for an administrative ministry that helped congregations develop budgets, organize church portfolios, and strengthen their internal operations. His professional knowledge and ecclesial experience allowed him to serve leaders in both spiritual and practical matters.
As Presiding Bishop, he carried forward the vision of Apostle Evans while guiding Beth-El through a season of continuity, worship, and covenant fellowship. His service connected the founding generation to the next chapter of national leadership.
His presiding tenure concluded in 2026 as Bishop Danny C. E. Evans was elected to lead the fellowship. Beth-El honors Bishop Pender’s pastoral devotion, stewardship, episcopal dignity, and lasting contribution as the third leader in its apostolic succession.
His ministry demonstrated that spiritual faithfulness and responsible administration belong together in the care of God’s House.
