Dr. Richard Charles Emerson was born in Barstow, California, on December 29, 1963.

After completing his work at Central High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1982, he traveled to The Netherlands as an exchange student for the 1982-1983 year. Upon his return, he entered the University of Arizona in the fall of 1983. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona in Communication in 1987.

In January 1988, he entered the Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, earning the degree Master of Divinity in December 1991. In February 1992, he was ordained to the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Northway Christian Church, Dallas, Texas. In December, 2002, he completed the Doctor of Ministry degree at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University.

Rev. Dr. Emerson has served as student associate minister at First Christian Church, Terrell, Texas; associate minister at Northway Christian Church, Dallas, Texas; as minister of First Christian Church, Plainview, Texas and senior minister of Collierville Christian Church, Collierville, Tennessee. Currently, he is senior minister for First Christian Church, Longview, Texas.

Dr. Emerson is married and has two daughters.