- Rick is married to his wife Carolyn
- Father of 3 sons with 8 grandchildren
- Bachelor of Social Work – Virginia Commonwealth University
- Masters of Religious Education (w/ emphasis on Psychology and Counseling) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Doctor Honoris Causa in World Missions from International Redeemed Christian University
- Certified North Carolina Superior Court Mediator
After more than 40 years of ministry, Richard Fitzgerald found himself spending much of his time “connecting” people who care, together, to meet the needs of others and offer hope.
In 2019, he founded Compassion Connections to glorify God and inspire hope by teaching, preaching, applying God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ to daily life.
Building “connections” for the Body of Christ to work together to strengthen families, rescue children and youth from oppression, poverty of body and soul are of the utmost importance to the organization.
Businesses are created or expanded to support Gospel ministry, cultivating missions, missionaries, and for creating jobs for underserved and oppressed people both locally and around the world.
Prior to becoming the President of Compassion Connections, Rick served 30 years with Raleigh Rescue Mission serving as Resource Consultant and the Director of Programs and Philanthropy. He developed, implemented the programs and prayerfully cultivated relationships with donors and community partners to fund and support the mission serving homeless and at-risk men, women and children. These programs included addiction recovery, Adult Education and Children’s Development Center and Medical Clinic.
He currently consults and serves as an advisor to the Boards of the Smithfield and Rockingham Rescue Missions, Triangle Area Missions Ministries and Council on Immigration Relations.
