SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:11-16 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and  without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

HIS BACKGROUND: On May 31, 1958 Rickey was  born to Hollie and Odessa Persons in Oakland, CA. Rickey has 11 siblings and he has a twin brother. Rickey attended Lockwood Elementary School and  Havenscourt Junior High before graduating from Castlemont High School in 1976.

EMPLOYMENT: Rickey has worked for the City of Oakland for over 20 years and as a Public Works Supervisor for over 7 years.

FAMILY: He met his wife, Sheila Persons, at South Berkeley Church of Christ and they have been married for over 15 years.
He had a blended family of 6 children until the lost of his oldest daughter, Odessa Persons; he now have 5 children and 7 grandchildren.

CONVERSION: While recovering from his drug addiction at New Day in East Pablo Alto, Rickey took part in an Ambassador for Christ course held by Laverne Fobbs. Having been raised by his father a Baptist minister, Rickey was familiar with Christ; it didn’t take long to accept the gospel and he was baptized at the Westside Church of Christ in San Mateo in 1986.

WALK: Rickey came back to the East Bay after graduating from New Day. He asked Bro. Crayton to recommend a congregation and was pointed to the South Berkeley Church of Christ. Rickey begin to participate in the work at South Berkeley Church of Christ in the SHARE Food program, the Trinidad ministry, Fresh Start rehabilitation program, the 23rd Avenue Drug Rehabilitation Program, Young Timothy Bible Class teacher, Sunday School Adult Bible Class teacher, the Ambassador for Christ Classes teacher, the Audio/Tape ministry, the Benevolence ministry, the Men’s Retreat, the Baptism Committee, as a Trustee Board Member, Associate Minister, and Ordain Deacon.

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT RICKEY: He is a great and loving husband, father, and grandfather, he is passionate about his worship, he is a great cook, he enjoys life, he enjoys Friday Date nights and always taking his vacations with his wife, he loves to laugh, he has nicknames for all his grandchildren, he is serious about his sobriety of over 25 years. He is passionate about helping others with their sobriety. “I’ll do anything I can to help someone quit if they have a desire too, ” Rickey said, “Because I know what they’re going through.”