Along with his family and 11 others planted Reunion Church, a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, non-denominational church, In 1997 in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Prior to that, he served for three years as Minister to Single Adults at the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. For ten years Richard was the featured speaker for Lunch Talk, a weekly business luncheon, at the First Baptist Church of Dallas. He can be heard in Dallas on 100.7 FM weekdays at 6:30am and Sundays at 10:30am. Richard can also be heard on 444 radio stations in 45 states as well as richardellistalks.com. Richard is also one of the first stories to be featured on iamsecond.com.

Richard graduated from Baylor University in 1982, with a BA in Oral Communications and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985 with an MDIV. He also did some of his Masters work at Dallas Theological Seminary. After graduating from seminary, he went into business for 10 years. Richard lived in England as a child while his father, Perry Ellis, was studying at Oxford University. His family then moved to Brazil where his parents were missionaries for many years. He is the sixth generation of pastors in his family.

Richard lives in Dallas with his wife, Rebecca. They have three daughters – Elizabeth (Clint), Victoria and Catherine.