Bishop Richard Howell, Jr. is a nationally respected faith and civic leader with decades of experience advancing community development, public engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bishop Howell serves as Senior Pastor of Shiloh Temple International Ministries (STIM), one of the largest congregations in the Twin Cities. He also serves as Diocesan of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Dakotas District Council and as 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, where he helps guide strategic vision, leadership development, and institutional growth across a national network of congregations.

Raised in a multigenerational legacy of community and faith leadership, Bishop Howell has spent more than six decades cultivating leadership both within congregational settings and in broader civic spaces. His work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening communities through service, education, and advocacy.

Bishop Howell holds a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies from North Central Bible College (magna cum laude) and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. He has also received multiple honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees recognizing his contributions to ministry, leadership, and community impact.

His professional experience extends beyond ministry into government and workforce development, including leadership roles with Job Corps, where he supervised and mentored young people while developing career readiness and life skills programs. His global work includes organizing international initiatives and leading community-based efforts across Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Central America.

A recognized civic leader, Bishop Howell currently serves as President of the Minnesota Council of Churches and has held leadership roles with organizations such as the Minneapolis Urban League, the Rotary Club, and the Stairstep Foundation. He has been a trusted advisor to local and state leaders, contributing to efforts related to public safety, civil rights, and community stabilization—including leadership during critical moments following the murder of George Floyd.

His contributions have been widely recognized, including a citywide resolution from the City of Minneapolis for his legacy of service, the inaugural John Lewis Justice Award in Minnesota, and appointments to key civic initiatives, including the Mayor’s Search Committee for Chief of Police.

Bishop Howell is also an author of several works focused on leadership, faith, and personal transformation. Through his leadership, Shiloh Temple International Ministries has served as a central hub for major community initiatives, convenings, and public engagement efforts in the region.

He partners in leadership with his wife of over fifty years, Pastor Bettye Howell, whose background in finance and executive leadership has helped drive innovative community-based programs in Minneapolis, including early childhood education, adult care services, workforce development, and juvenile justice initiatives.

Together, they continue to advance solutions that strengthen families, expand opportunity, and position faith-based institutions as anchors for long-term community impact.