Richard A. Bland  

Richard Bland has touched the hearts of souls of thousands with the help of the Holy Spirit and volunteers, sharing the message of God's love and hope. He has helped build faith in prisoners and their family members for more than twenty-seven years. His calling as founder of UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL has allowed him to serve all over the world.

Richard Bland was born in Chicago, in 1930.

Attended Andrews University, majoring in business and theology.

In 1960 Bland started a successful real estate firm in California. In addition, Bland was a real estate broker in Florida.

In 1970 Bland became the founder and President of Pacific Coast Bank, the first African American Bank in San Diego, California.

Bland was on the San Diego City Planning Commission.

Bland was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He is pictured in the Civil Rights Museums with Dr. Martin Luther King in Birmingham, Alabama in Los Angeles, California and in many photos.

In 1971 to 1972, Bland was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to the California Insurance Commission.

In 1972 to 1975 he served on the United States President's Advisory Board of both Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

In 1980, Bland founded United Prison Ministries realizing that he must use his time, talents, and treasures to spread the gospel to prisoners.

In 1991 UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES became

UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

serving the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Africa, Romania, Indonesia, India the Philippines and many other countries.

To date, over 70,000,000 (Seventy Million) Bibles lessons, life changing books, and Bibles have been distributed to men and women in prisons all over the world.

Since 1987 Bland has produce and hosted many segments of the weekly television program Changing Lives on the Inside. This program was aired on 3ABN for many years now airs on Safe TV and Hope TV in many Countries. He has also produced several videos, which demonstrate the effectiveness of prison ministry.

Richard and Carolyn Bland
Founders of UPMI

In 1997 Bland became Vice President of Maranatha Correctional Corporation Privatized Prison in California.

UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL provides a link between the community and the persons confined in correctional institutions; it prepares prisoners for re-entry into society (physically, mentally, and spiritually) and serves their families.

Richard Bland and his wife, Carolyn, currently live in Verbena, Alabama; they have seven children and fifteen grand children.

Member for twenty six year of ASI-Adventist Laymen's Services and Industries

Member for twenty years of the ACA- American Correctional Association