When Floyd and Deborah Richardson first met at Moody Bible Institute, they quickly discovered that they both had a heart for youth ministry. While Floyd completed service in the Military, they worked in ministry at their local church. Deborah’s mother informed them of an opportunity in Chattanooga at Bethel Bible Village and they prayed that the Lord would make a way if it was His will to bring them to Bethel as houseparents.
In 1980, the Richardsons made the move to Chattanooga with the help of family and Bethel staff to become houseparents at Poindexter cottage. As they started a family of their own, Floyd remembers being thankful for the life that Bethel provided while they worked with other children. “When we first came, the stability of the houseparents was encouraging. That was a support to us because we all worked together,” Floyd explained.
Floyd and Deborah worked with both boys and girls while raising two children of their own. After ten years as houseparents, Deborah felt the Lord pulling her away from the ministry of Bethel for a time of mental and spiritual healing, while Floyd also felt it was a time to spend with their children before they were grown. “We had some tough kids. I struggled and internalized a lot. It took seven years for God to really work in my heart. God really showed me He didn’t send me there to save them, He sent me there for a reason,” Deborah explained. “Once that hit me and we decided to come back, I looked at each child as if they were there for a reason. It wasn’t by chance. It was then not just a job; it was a way of life.”
In 1997, Floyd and Deborah returned to Bethel, once again as houseparents. “There was no doubt I could handle this now,” Deborah said about their return. For the next twenty-four years, the Richardsons worked with girls at Bethel. “We loved feeling needed, and the first ten years went by so fast. Once our kids were grown, we came back.” Floyd said. “We love keeping up with them,” Floyd explained about the kids they had the privilege to work with.
Though they are now retired, Floyd and Deborah serve as a sponsor family for Bethel children when needed. They also share their passion for youth ministry with their grandson. “I want him to understand that when God works, it’s not just by chance.” Deborah said. In December of 2023, Floyd shared with their Bethel teen they were sponsoring just how much he was wanted and chosen by God to be with their family. “I wanted him to see that he was not a mistake, he was a blessing. He was chosen.”