Dr. Rick Finley was born and raised in Durham, NC by Philip and Delores Finley. When he was three years of age, his mother was invited to Fellowship Baptist Church for a “Pack-A-Pew” Sunday. This was his first time walking through the doors at Fellowship. He has been a faithful member ever since.

After graduating from Northern High School in Durham, Pastor Finley felt led by God to attend Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, IN to train for the ministry. During his time at Bible college, he met his wife, Renae. In 1983, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Theology. He and Renae were married in 1983. Upon graduation at Hyles-Anderson, he came back to Fellowship to serve under the leadership of the founding pastor, Lonnie Graves. Pastor Graves immediately placed him in several areas of ministry leadership at the church. In 1988, Pastor Finley was voted by the church to be the next senior pastor of Fellowship.

Pastor Finley has a great heart for people. It is evident through his preaching, teaching, and counseling that he is truly burdened for the members of Fellowship Baptist and the community. Also evident in his life is an intense burden to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.