Check Out Bianca J. Richardson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca J. Richardson

Hi Bianca J., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Short pointed facts:
• I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I moved to North Carolina in 1999 to attend North Carolina A&T State University, where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In May 2005, I returned to New Orleans only to be uprooted six months later due to Hurricane Katrina. I returned to North Carolina and settled in Raleigh, where I continually live.
• I have been preaching for 28 years.
• In 2025, I will celebrate my 20th anniversary as a Project Manager with specialty sectors in Pharmaceutical, Industrial, Government, and Healthcare IT.
• I am a Master of Divinity student at Duke Divinity, anticipating graduating in 2026.
• On January 31, 2024, I planted The Pillar Community Church with an online Bible study and its official first online Sunday Service on May 18, 2024. Since launching, we have served together for community outreach, a September 20, 2024, prayer night. Beginning January 5, 2025, we plan to gather for our first monthly in-person worship services.
• Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Graphic Communication Systems with a focus in Architectural Drafting & Design, 2003
Master of Science in Industrial Technology in Construction Management, 2005
Master of Art in Christian Education, 2011
Walk through my story:
A pivotal point in my ministry journey occurred in February 2016 when I was asked to be the assistant pastor at Saint James Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. I sensed God calling me to plant a church during my two-year tenure. I wasn’t sure when, where, or how, but I was sure I had a call to plant.
However, after the senior pastor’s resignation, the congregation appointed me interim senior pastor. Thus, on Sunday, April 1, 2018, I began serving the Saint James Baptist Church community as interim pastor. On August 17, 2019, the church, by a majority vote, chose me as the ninth senior pastor and the first female senior pastor in its then 93-year history. On Friday, November 1, 2019, I was installed as the senior pastor.
Less than six months after becoming pastor, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world and changed how we gathered and worshiped for more than a year. Through God’s help, I led the congregation amidst the pandemic, with one of the highlights being that the congregation became debt-free.
After serving this community for roughly seven years in a pastoral capacity, in January 2023, the Holy Spirit led to resign. I led the effort to present a transition plan that the congregation accepted to appoint a transitional interim pastor, who would maintain the stability of the church as they began their pastoral search for the next pastor.
The call to church plant had not left me, but I initially attempted to avoid the call as I reflected on some of the challenges of pastoral ministry; however, I could not escape the call, which led to my starting online Bible Study. A few months later, I officially launched the church online on May 18, 2024, birthing The Pillar Community Church.
The vision of this community is to be a beacon of light empowered by the Spirit to build a radically inclusive community of believers. Our mission is centered on Discipleship, Kindom, and Community. These three pillars are essential because they reflect the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which leads us to liberation and justice work.
Since the church’s inception, we have served through community outreach efforts and an in-person prayer service. Beginning January 5, 2025, we plan to gather in person monthly. I am excited about connecting with and serving with other Jesus followers for years at The Pillar Community Church in Raleigh, N.C., and the surrounding areas.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Through the years, I have been very well supported as a woman in ministry. However, when becoming a pastor, I began to experience bumps and bruises from people who supported women preaching but not pastoring.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of ministry, Project Management has been my primary work. My specialty markets include Construction Management in the Pharmaceutical and Industrial sectors. However, I have had projects in the government sector and currently work in HealthCare IT ePMO.
I also founded a consulting firm, Caliber Consulting, specializing in corporate and non-profit leadership training, consulting for construction projects, and non-profit change implementation.
The ability to intersect my call and passion for ministry and my project management skills to benefit the church sets me apart with forecasting, budget management, vision casting, and people management, among other skills.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In project management, I foresee more AI Automation in managing projects and statistics and increasing productivity. I also see a higher emphasis on emotional intelligence, green project management, and remote teams.
In church, I think that we are amid a reformation that will critically pivot theological constructs that meet cultural demands, questions, and societal changes. I also see a continuation of online communities, innovative approaches to discipleship, and unhinging the stigma of discussing taboo topics.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://biancajrichardson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambiancajrich
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambiancajrich
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambiancajrich
• Other: https://pillarcommunity.org