Dr. Rick Patrick

Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Alabama

Dr. Rick Patrick is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Alabama, where he has served since 2013. A Southern Baptist pastor, preacher, and ministry leader, he has served churches in Alabama and Texas and has been active in Baptist denominational life for more than three decades. Before coming to Sylacauga, Rick served for thirteen years as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Hueytown, Alabama. He previously served three congregations in Texas.

Education

Rick earned a Bachelor of Business Administration  degree from the University of Texas, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Baptist Leadership and Community Service

Rick has served as moderator of the Bessemer and Coosa River Baptist Associations, president of the Coosa Valley Ministerial Association, and a member of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and the trustee board of The Alabama Baptist. He also serves on the board of the Isabel Anderson Comer Museum. In 2026, he received the Sylacauga Arts Council’s Beth Yates Award for Service to the Arts.

Preaching and Ministry

At First Baptist Church, Rick preaches the Bible and encourages people to follow Jesus Christ. He views the local church as a spiritual family where people worship God, study Scripture, build relationships, and serve one another. His invitation is simple: trust in Jesus, join the church, grow in Christ, serve His body, and reach others with the gospel.

Family

Rick and his wife, Karen, have been married since 1989. They have two grown sons: Tyler, who is married to Emily, and Evan, who is married to Anna. Karen is a Colson Fellow and has been active with Women in Apologetics.

Learn more about Rick’s preaching and teaching at The Uplifting Word.