ASSOCIATE
Minister Rico Buckhaulter
Youth Sunday School Ministry
Rico J. Buckhaulter born in Memphis, TN is the first of three children born to Dean and Barbara Buckhaulter. Minister Buckhaulter’s early education was in the Rankin County School where he graduated from Brandon High School. He continued his education by following in the footsteps of his parents and attended Alcorn State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and a Master of Science in Educational Administration. He furthered his education at Mississippi State University completing a Doctoral of Philosophy in Secondary, Middle, and Elementary Education. He also has completed a Doctoral of Theology from New Foundations Theological Seminary. He is currently enrolled in New Foundations Theological Seminary completing a Doctoral of Christian Counseling and will graduate May 2022.
Minister Buckhaulter was blessed to have great examples at an early age in reference to servicing God. Accepting Christ at a young age at Jerusalem M.B. Church in Rankin County under the leadership of the late Rev. A.J. Johnson, Sr. and first lady Joy Johnson provided him an opportunity to receive a solid foundation learning the Word of God while actively taking part in the youth ministry receiving profound teaching from the late Mrs. Dorothy Cannon. It was also at this church where he first meet the love of his life the former Shelsea Duplessis. He has been blessed to have known her his entire life and married to her 22 years. The opportunity to serve Christ continued after marrying Shelsea and deciding to unite with New Hope M.B. Church in Rankin County under the leadership of Rev. Kenneth Adams, Sr. and first lady Shirley Adams. Rev. Adams taught him to serve but more than that gave him every opportunity to serve God. The opportunities to serve included Finance Secretary, Youth Ministry, Food Ministry, Brotherhood, Chairman of the Deacon Ministry as well as several planning committees. The obedience to follow the direction shown by God lead him to leave New Hope M.B.Church and unite with New Mount Calvary Christian Center under the leadership of Apostle John Williams and first lady Joyce Williams. Under this leadership, He accepted the calling of God on his life and was ordained and licensed in July 2013. He also served in the New Member Orientation Ministry and Men Ministry. God then lead Minister Buckhaulter back to Rankin County to serve at True Vine Church. He currently serves as a teacher for the Sunday School Youth Ministry. He lives by Philippians 4:13 and believes that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!
He is currently employed with Rankin County School District as Executive Director of Federal Programs and Student Support. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and St. John’s Lodge #533 of Modern Free & Accepted Masons. His wife Shelsea and him are the proud parents of Cameron Jordan Buckhaulter. They also share a wonderful God daughter Chabree Hackett and a spoiled pet Oreo.