JOHNNY HEWETT (SENIOR CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: johnny@echap.org

A Durham native and lifelong resident, Johnny got his start in ministry at Grey Stone
 Baptist Church in 1977 by serving in the Audio/Visual Ministry.  In the late 1980s he began serving as a volunteer counselor for a 24-hour telephone crisis ministry named Contact Durham.  It was during this time that Johnny's heart for ministry was developed.

While still working full-time at Burroughs Wellcome, Johnny began attending night classes at Southeastern College at Wake Forest and graduated in 2002 with an Associate of Divinity degree.  After more than 28 years at GSK he took early retirement in 2005 in order to serve as Associate Pastor of Edgewood Baptist Church.  Johnny currently serves as the Pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church in Durham.

In addition to his experience as a Pastor, Johnny has extensive experience as an Adjunct Chaplain at Durham Regional Hospital where he has served as a volunteer since 2002.

Johnny's experiences as a pastor, counselor and chaplain have uniquely qualified him to serve as a Senior Chaplain with us.  He is compassionate, a patient listener and a giver of wise advice.  His presence during times of crisis has brought hope and comfort to many people over the past 20 years.

Chaplain Hewett is assigned to District 5 of the Durham Police Department.

CLINTON STOKES (CHAPLAIN INTERN)

e-mail: chaplainstokes@aol.com

Although he was born in Norfolk, VA, Clinton has lived in North Carolina long enough now to consider himself a native Tarheel.  He is the proud father of three boys and the blessed husband of Bernadette.

 Clinton received his training for the chaplaincy through Community Chaplains of America in Wake Forest.  After completing the training program with CCA, he was commissioned by New Covenant Holiness Church where he serves on the Armor Bearer Staff.

Sensing a continued call to prepare himself for ministry, Clinton has enrolled in the undergraduate program at Liberty University.

Chaplain Stokes has already proven himself to be a valuable asset to Emergency Chaplains.  The combination of his passion for loving people and his 13 year background in Law Enforcement has prepared him for his assignment to District 3 of the Durham Police Department.

PEDRO VALLADARES (INTERPRETER/COUNSELOR)

e-mail: pedrorv7@aol.com

Pedro Valladares joined Emergency Chaplains in March 2010 anD currently serves in the role of Interpreter/Counselor and on call to assist the Spanish speaking citizens that we serve.

Chaplain Valladares is a native of Honduras who moved to Miami, FL in 1986.  Twelve years later, while still living in Miami, Pedro sensed that God wanted him to move to Durham, NC and minister to the people here in our city. 

In 1999 Pedro started ministry a ministry in Durham that is now known as Iglesia Evangelica CFC.  As Pastor of this fellowship his goal remains the same today as it was the day he first visited Durham; to see the city of Durham transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When you talk with Pastor Pedro he will be quick to tell you that God has blessed him beyond anything that he could hope for or even imagine.  Pedro tells me that the desire of his heart is to share the great and abundant blessings that God has given him with the people of Durham.

RUSSELL HILL (PHOTOGRAPHER)

e-mail: grussellhillphotography@gmail.com

Originally from South Texas, Russell served all over the world as a United States Marine.  Retiring from the Marines in 2009, he settled in Durham, the hometown of his wife, Wendy.  Together they have two children. 

Although most of his professional time has been spent in the infantry, Russell's ambition has always been that of a social and humanitarian photographer.  During his travels and adventures he has always sought out people that had a story to tell in their everyday lives. 

Russell gives this example: "In 2001 while living in West Africa I was given the opportunity to contribute photos to UNICEF's State of the World's Children.  It was a welcome opportunity to be part of this far-reaching project.  I believe by utilizing my past experience and keen eye for detail that I am able to turn normal day-to-day activities into special images that capture the true spirit of the individual."  

Currently Russell volunteers as our Official Photographer, documenting our Chaplains as they care for our First Responders and the general public during critical situations in Durham County.  He also volunteers his photographic talents to the Durham Police Department on a long-term project called "Behind the Badge" where they are creating a photographic documentary of the department's commitment to protect and serve. 

When asked why he is excited about being a part of Emergency Chaplains and DPD, Russell said, "I'm hoping that these volunteer opportunities will lead to opportunities for ministry to others as well as my own spiritual growth and maturity in my walk with Christ."

DANNY BRYANT (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: danny@echap.org

Danny Bryant joined Emergency Chaplains on June 23, 2010.  Danny has served as an associate pastor previously and currently serves in a volunteer capacity with Grace Church in Chapel Hill.  He is a graduate of Master's Graduate Divinity School where he earned a Master of Practical Divinity Degree in Chaplaincy and he has completed CPE Level 1 training through Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington.

Chaplain Danny is married to Peggy and they are the parents of two children.  He will serve as a volunteer chaplain with us and is currently assigned to the Durham Police Department, District 4.

 JAMES DODSON (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: jamesddodson8@frontier.com

Effective September 22, 2010, James Dodson has joined Emergency Chaplains and will serve as part of our Crisis Response Team.  

Chaplain Dodson is a graduate of Liberty University.  He is the appointed chaplain at Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department where he also serves as a volunteer firefighter.

James will continue his regular duties as chaplain to the men and women at LVFD and he will be on call to respond to crisis calls in northern Durham County. 

Chaplain Dodson and his wife, Mary, have 2 children and live in the Lebanon community.

FLOYD PEARCE (CHAPLAIN INTERN)

e-mail: fpearce@nc.rr.com

Floyd is a Durham native, USAF veteran, and has been married to Betty for 44 years.  His most rewarding work during his civilian career was working for 22 years with special needs adults.

He recently retired from his paying job and has answered the call to serve with
Emergency Chaplains as he seeks to live out his passion of serving people in Jesus’ Name and rejoicing over changed lives.  His favorite scripture is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Chaplain Pearce is a member of Cross Culture Church in Raleigh where he sings with the Praise Team.  Floyd will be assigned to our Crisis Response Team.

CRAIG ALEXANDER (CHAPLAIN INTERN)

e-mail:  scraig.alex@gmail.com

While serving as a volunteer firefighter, Craig was always an encourager and prayer warrior for those he served with.  Although he has not served as a
 firefighter for several years now, there is still a passion to serve First Responders and people in crisis. 

Craig recently completed the course work through Community Chaplains of America and will be a great asset to Emergency Chaplains.  He will be assigned to serve on our Crisis Response Team.

Chaplain Alexander is a graduate of Covenant College where he majored in Business and also a graduate of Every Nation Leadership Institute.  He works at IBM in Research Triangle Park.

Craig and his wife, Lisa, are active in the ministry of Kings Park International Church in Durham where they serve in the Children’s Ministry.

 KEITH KIMBALL (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: keithk@kimballministries.org

Dr. Keith Kimball will be serving Emergency Chaplains in Person County, NC where he is the appointed chaplain for Roxboro Police Department.

With over 15 years of pastoral, chaplaincy and counseling experience, Chaplain Kimball will be a valuable asset to our team and especially to First Responders and citizens in the Roxboro area.

Keith has served locally and around the globe through Kimball Ministries as a vocational evangelist.  On Tuesdays, Keith can be found ministering at Pregnancy Support Center in Roxboro. 

In 2009 he travelled to Sierra Leone in West Africa.  While there, he preached in a crusade in Freetown, held Bible studies in homes and provided training sessions for 53 local pastors. 

Dr. Kimball is a graduate of Andersonville Seminary where he earned a Doctorate Degree in Pastoral Counseling.  He and his wife, Docie, are active members of North Roxboro Baptist Church.

 GRANT BENNETT (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: grant@echap.org

Grant Bennett joined Emergency Chaplains on May 20, 2011 and has been assigned to serve District 1 of the Durham Police Department.

Chaplain Grant was born in Greenville, Texas, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas and came to know Jesus Christ during Vacation Bible School when he was 7 years old. Shortly after that time he knew that God had called him to ministry.

At the age of 17, Grant joined the U.S. Army and served in Special Forces. Counting his 4 year enlistment and time spent in the Army Reserve, Grant recently retired at the rank of Command Sergeant Major with 28 years of service to our country.

After leaving active duty, Chaplain Grant graduated from East Texas State University with degrees in Economics and Political Science. He was preparing for his dream job in the CIA but God had other plans and Grant soon found himself serving as a pastor in Commerce, Texas while attending Dallas Theological Institute.

Through the years, Grant has been involved in ministry wherever he has been. He currently serves as the Director of Emergency Response at First Assembly of God in Raleigh while working full-time at Fidelity Investments.

Grant is married to Dawn and they have 4 children. He is excited about the ministry opportunity that the Lord has given him with Emergency Chaplains and believes that God has called him to make a difference in the lives of the officers that he serves.

ART KLOSE (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail:art@echap.org

Art Klose joined Emergency Chaplains as a Chaplain Intern on June 1, 2011 and will be serving the Durham Police Department. He is originally from Pennsylvania but has called North Carolina home for the last 15 years.

Chaplain Art is active in the Men's Ministry at Triangle Community Church in Apex. He has participated in mission trips to Biloxi, Mississippi and Guayaquil, Ecuador plus he sang in the Harvest Crusade Choir at the RBC Center in 2007.

Currently working in security management, he has prior experience in Law Enforcement and Fire, Rescue and EMS.

September 11th, 2001 was a wake up call for Art and caused him to examine his life closely. Accepting a friend's invitation to church during that time, Art heard and responded to the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in January of 2002.

Art holds a BS in Business Management from Clarion University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University. He lives in Holly Springs, is married to Christina and they have 3 children. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, music and playing on the church softball team. His goal in life is to be a faithful servant of the Lord and to especially be a husband and a father who brings a smile to God's face.

 MIKE WHITE (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: mwwhite@bikerider.com

Effective June 22, 2011, Rev. Mike White joined Emergency Chaplains and has been assigned to serve the Durham Police Department in District 2.

Mike was born in Orlando, FL.  He spent his early years in the St. Petersburg area before moving with his family to Durham when he was a teenager. 

Raised in church, Mike continued to live what he called a ‘religious’ life even as an adult.  One day in 1980 he finally surrendered his life to Jesus and became a true follower of Christ.

Chaplain White trained for ministry through Grace Presbytery School of Ministry and was ordained into the Christian Ministry in August of 2000.

Diane is Mike’s wife and they have been married since 1978.  Mike and Diane are members of Christian Assembly in Durham and make their home in the northern Durham area. 

ANDRE GILLIARD (CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: gilliards5@yahoo.com

Rev. Andre Gilliard is now associated with Emergency Chaplains.  Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Gilliard lived there until relocating to the Triangle area last year.  He transferred here with Procter and Gamble, where he has worked for the last 15 years.

Gilliard accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 12 years old and has served in Christian ministry since he was a teenager.  Ordained in 2004, he has served as an Assistant Pastor in the Baltimore area and also served as a volunteer chaplain with the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke School of Divinity, Chaplain Gillard is married to Veronica and they are the parents of Andrea, Amari and Reina.

Chaplain Gilliard will be serving the Durham Police Department.

CARTER THOMPSON (COUNSELOR)

e-mail: carter6345@yahoo.com

Phone: (919) 596-6345

B.A., Psychology/Christian Counseling, Louisiana Baptist University, Shreveport, LA

DivorceCare Counselor

Volunteer, Pregnancy Support Services, Durham

 RALPH THOMPSON (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/LEAD CHAPLAIN)

e-mail: ralph@echap.org

cell phone: (919) 280-8908

A.A.S., Business Management, Danville Community College, Danville, VA

A.Div, Southeastern College at Wake Forest, Wake Forest, NC

B.A., Biblical Studies, Louisiana Baptist University, Shreveport, LA

M.Min., Biblical Counseling, Master's International School of Divinity, Evansville, IN

EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician, Basic Level), North Carolina OEMS

Certificate of Specialized Training,  Spiritual Care in Crisis Intervention   ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation)