Worship Ministry Associate
Ruth joined First Baptist in 1987 and began singing in the church choir, playing bells in the bell choir, and helping in children’s choirs. Ruth celebrates her 25th anniversary as Music associate in October 2025. Some of her responsibilities include coordinating and directing children’s choirs, handbell choirs, and assisting youth choir, Adult choir and One Accord. Ruth is an active participant in weekly worship planning, as well for special services. She leads the music in worship in the absence of the Associate Pastor for Christian Worship.
Ruth received the Choristers Guild Institute Certification in 2013. Ruth attended Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond prior to its closing. Ruth was the Marshall Stearns Marshall Women Preacher in February 2022. Since then she has progressed through the three level certification program at Truett Seminary and is completing the Masters of Arts in Faith and Leadership Formation at Campbell Divinity School, graduating May 2026.
Ruth is a native of Charlottesville, VA. She graduated from James Madison University in 1985 with a BS, double majoring in Learning Disabled and Emotionally Disturbed Education with a minor in music. Ruth taught school in Chesterfield County for eight years.
Ruth is married to Richard Szucs and they have two children, Alexandra and Matthew and her first granddaughter, Sammie. She loves to travel, study, and paint. Being a part of Richmond’s First Baptist Church is near and dear to her heart. She loves God and loves others and strives to show it in her daily life.
