Pastor Monte Elswick has been the Senior Pastor of the Richlands Church of God since 2000. Pastor Elswick has three children, four grandchildren, and  5 great grandchildren. Pastor Elswick is a widower. His wife Judy passed away in May of 2020.

Pastor Elswick gave his life to Christ in 1970. He began preaching in June of 1970. He became a member of the Church of God, Cleveland Tennessee in 1974 and has been a licensed minister in the Church of God since 1976.