Name: Rick Britton
Age: 37
Family: Heicha Britton, wife; Andy Britton, father; Sherry Bitner, mother; Jim Britton, brother
Pets: Pennie (Boxer); Naomi (Boxer — passed away Dec. 19)
Education: Florida Coastal School of Law (1998-2000) Juris Doctor December, 2000; University of North Florida, (1997) MBA Program; East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. (1993-94) B.A. with honors in economics, minor in business administration; University of Florida, (1989-93); University of Florida and East Carolina baseball (UF 1991 College World Series, ECU 1994 All-American East); private pilot license — certified 1994, single engine, VFR.
Admitted to the Bar: 2001
Employed by: Richard K. Britton Law Offices
Field of practice: Probate, Real Estate, Wills, Trusts and Guardianships
Professional Organizations: Jacksonville Bar Association, chairman Golf League; Florida Bar; BNI (President-elect).
Community Involvement:
Through Celebration Church we are: Youth Leaders; Clay County Jail Ministry Leaders; Missions Leaders. Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
How did you get involved?
We got involved in missions while under the leadership of Lead Pastor Duval Weems and his wife, Kerri Weems at Celebration Church. Their infectious passion to serve the needs of the greater Jacksonville area and impact the lives of thousands of AIDS orphans in some of the world’s most spiritually barren places has blessed us with the opportunity to travel on mission trips and share hope for the future. In September, 2008 we traveled to Swaziland, Africa on a mission trip in conjunction with Celebration Church and Children’s Cup to interact with AIDS orphans in Africa. In 2008, we were also involved with outreaches to SeaMark Ranch (a group home for abused and neglected children) and Celebration’s Hardee County Campus.
We have been asked to lead mission trips this year to Costa Rica and Wachula County and we plan on going back to Africa in September.
We would like to thank our friends, family and other attorneys, such as Albert Franson, Arnold Tritt, Bruce Humphrey, Todd Eikner, Shawn Arnold and Andy Britton for their financial support towards our mission trip.
Why did you get involved?
We got involved because we have always had a passion for children and a pressing desire to make an impact not just in Florida or America, but on a global scale.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
When we began our journey to Africa we had expectations regarding the physical and spiritual conditions of the orphans we were about to meet. Little did we know how short our expectations would fall from reality. The reality is that these children live in such horrendous conditions: no electricity; no running water; dependence for food and clothing from the adjacent garbage dump; 50 percent unemployment; orphaned; a life expectancy of 32; and 40 percent of the population is HIV positive.
What we learned was that people all over the world have a common need regardless of their circumstances, backgrounds or ethnicity, and that need is to be loved and have hope for the future.
The greatest achievement is that God has used us as his hands and feet to show his perfect love in a tangible way by helping others in need. This opportunity has impacted our lives in a tremendous way and we will never be the same.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
The best book I have read recently, possibly ever, is “The Shack” by William P. Young. Currently, I am reading “Dead Heat” by Joel Rosenberg.