Rev. Jeremy Richards has been named the new full-time chaplain and director of service leadership at Linfield University, beginning April 1.

Richards, most recently pastor of Portland’s Grant Park Church, joins faith resources team for students that also includes a Catholic advisor.

“Rev. Jeremy Richards will build on the strong legacy of work with students either examining their faith journey or enriching their strong faith tradition,” said Susan Hopp, Linfield vice president for student affairs and admissions. “He values inter-faith exploration and will collaborate with community members to establish ties of service to others.”

Richards earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Concordia Univeristy-Portland and  a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. He recently completed a two-year program with the Center for Action and Contemplation.

After joining Grant Park Church in 2016, Richards made strides in making the congregation more inclusive toward the LGBTQIA+ and centered more conversations around race and racial justice.

“Faith is more than scripture and spirituality. It’s about how those things are lived out in our lives,” Richards said. “That is one of the things I’m looking forward to most about Linfield: the daily conversations at the intersection of faith and academics, and the energy that comes from the college environment.”

Linfield traces its roots to an institution established by Baptists and chartered in 1858 by the territorial legislature. The foundational values of the faith – freedom of thought, religious independence and service to others – still motivate the Linfield community. More information on religious life at Linfield is available on the website.

One of Richards’ core goals at Linfield is to create space for students to wrestle with their faith, regardless of their tradition, in a safe and supportive environment.

“The truth should be able to stand on its own, so students should be empowered and given the freedom to ask questions and challenge preconceived ideas about faith,” he said. “Through this process, their faith can grow and become their own.”

In his free time, Richards enjoys hanging out with his family – partner Brie, daughter Esther and dog Winfield – reading, exploring the outdoors, bouldering and playing PS4. He roots for the Timbers, Chelsea and Duke basketball.

Richards succeeds David Massey who retired from Linfield in June 2021 and remains chaplain emeritus and an adjunct professor of religious studies.