Toya Richards tapped for top OGA communications post

Toya Richards, an experienced writer, editor and reporter and a recent graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS), has accepted the call to become associate for communications in the Office of the General Assembly. 

In her new position, Richards will develop and implement communication strategies for the Office of the General Assembly, including press releases, articles, letters and the variety of social media. Richards will be working closely with the stated clerk in drafting regular communications in response to actions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and in support of the continuing ministry of the church. 

The associate for communications also works closely with other General Assembly agencies, especially during the biennial meeting of the General Assembly.

Richards has spent 24 years engaged in various forms of communications work. Her experience includes work as a writer and editor at newspapers throughout the United States, including the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Chicago Sun-Times.

In 2005 Richards moved into faith-based writing as a reporter for the Presbyterian News Service. There she fully immersed herself in the life and work of the PC(USA) and began to more clearly hear God’s call to ministry and service. In 2008 Richards founded what is today Grace Multimedia, LLC, and shortly after that she entered seminary. 

In addition to her 2013 Master of Divinity from LPTS, Richards is a 1989 graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned her degree in journalism. She is a licensed minister and an active member of Burnett Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville. Richards is newly married to Theiron Martin Jackson, and their union includes three young adult and three teenage children. 

In making the announcement, General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons said Richards “brings a real focus on communication strategy and social media and wants us to be so in tune with the congregations in Kansas that we can translate what happened in Geneva.” 

“I look forward to working collaboratively with a broad section of the denomination” Richards said in accepting the call, “and am committed to helping the body effectively communicate God’s will.”  

She begins her new position on Aug. 7, 2013.