Pittsburgh Councilman Ricky Burgess elected moderator of Allegheny Union Baptist Association

The Rev. Ricky Burgess will be taking on a new role as moderator of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association, while continuing to serve on Pittsburgh City Council.

Burgess, a fourth-term councilman from North Point Breeze, announced his new position during a council meeting Wednesday.

The position is similar to the role of a bishop in the Catholic Church. In the role, he said he will oversee 140 Baptist churches in the region, including churches in Allegheny, Washington and Beaver counties. It is a four-year appointment.

“My view of life is that of service,” he said.

Burgess has served as pastor of the Nazarene Baptist Church for the past 30 years.

“I was a little surprised, but humbled by this election,” Burgess said. “I have endeavored, since being elected, to really center on what is important to me as a faith leader.”

What’s most important, he said, is serving others in his role as moderator and through his work on City Council.

“I have reaffirmed and committed myself to this endeavor of service,” he said.

He reflected on how his service on City Council over the past 14 years has helped him contribute to the community, something he said he’s eager to continue. He said he believes in universal pre-kindergarten, universal health care, eliminating racism and sexism and other ideals he hoped to progress through council.

“I stand willing to serve anybody who asks,” Burgess said.

Burgess graduated from Central Catholic High School and later LaSalle University. He has a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and has studied at Pennsylvania State University and the Pittsburgh Theological University. He has worked as a professor of communications at the Community College of Allegheny County over the past 23 years.

“Your church will be well-benefited by your service,” Councilman Anthony Coghill told Burgess.