Staff
Rev. Paul Pruitt
Executive Director
2003 – Present
Pastor Pruitt has been serving as Executive Director since April 2012. Paul has been serving as Pastor and Counselor at Bethel since 2003.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Associate Degree in Biblical Studies
- Graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in 2001
- Attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Has worked as a Commercial Fisherman
- Flooring Supervisor, and Welder Fabricator
Rev. Zac Starnes, M.A.Min.
Associate Director
2016 – Present
Pastor Starnes began serving as the Associate Director on November 1, 2021. Pastor Starnes has been serving as Pastor and Counselor at Bethel since 2016.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Worked as a Carpenter from 2001-2016, Framing houses, remodeling, building furniture
- Has Associate of Arts degree in Leadership & Ministry, Grace Bible College, Grand Rapids, MI, 2016
- In 2021 graduated from Grace Bible College, Grand Rapids, MI, with a Master’s degree in Christian Ministry.
- Attended Lay Counseling courses from 2015-2017.
Rev. Johnny Kelly
Women’s Campus Co-Director
2021 – Present
Pastor Kelly has served as Women’s Campus Director, alongside his wife Mrs. Regina Kelly, at Bethel since September 2021.
Pastor / Teacher / Administration
- Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry from Emmanuel College in 2015.
- Associate in Arts Degree from Caldwell Community College in 2012.
- 2 years as a Houseparent at Turbeville Children’s Home. Sept. 2019-Sept. 2021
- 1 year as Student Pastor at Greenville First PH Church. Oct. 2018-Sept. 2019
- 3 1/2 years as Houseparent/Houseparent Manager at Falcon Children’s Home and Family Services. April 2015-Sept. 2019
- 2 years as Youth/Children’s Director at Bowman Baptist Church. June 2013-April 2015
- 5 years as a Sales/Service Associate at Food Lion. 2008-June 2013
Mrs. Regina Kelly
Women’s Campus Co-Director
2021 – Present
Mrs. Regina has served as Women’s Campus Director, alongside her husband Pastor Johnny Kelly, at Bethel since September 2021.
Counseling Director / Teacher
- Bachelor of Science in English Education from Fayetteville State University
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University
- 2 years teaching High School English, 1 year teaching High School Bible at Freedom Christian Academy in Fayetteville, NC
- 1 year teaching High School Bible, 1 year teaching High School English at Falcon Christian Academy in Falcon, NC
- 1 year as a house parent at Turbeville Children’s Home in Turbeville South Carolina
Rev. Don Loss, M.Div.
Director of Counseling
1984 – Present
Pastor Loss has served as Pastor and Director of Counseling since 1984. Pastor Loss also served as Associate Director from 1984 to October 2021.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1971
- Graduated from Columbia International University in 1984 with a Master of Divinity
- Has worked as an Assistant Manager, E-5 rank in the U.S. Army during 1966-1968 and 1976-1980
Rev. Paul Ritchie
Senior Pastor
1986 – Present
Pastor Ritchie served as Executive Director and Senior Pastor from 1986 – 2012 and is now serving as Senior Pastor since April 2012.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Associate Degree in Biblical Studies
- Graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in 1981
- Has worked as a Farmer, Plant Manager, Business Owner, and Director of Ministry Programs at a Mission
- Was also involved in Baptist Lay Witness Ministry for 10 years
Rev. Heath Benfield
Men’s Campus Pastor / Counselor
2023 – Present
Pastor Benfield served as a Counselor at Bethel from 2018 -2019 and returned to serve as Pastor/Counselor on January 1, 2023.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible College with an Associate Degree in Christian Ministry and Religion in 2018.
- Currently attending Liberty Online for a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies.
- Worked in Factories as a Maintenance Mechanic.
- Worked at Pierced Ministries as House Manager from 2015-2016.
- Worked at Pierced Ministries as Men’s Director from 2019-2020.
- Pastor of Manteo Faith Baptist Church March 2021- December 2022.
Mrs. Barbara Benfield
Women Campus Counselor
2023 – Present
Mrs. Barbara has served as our newest Women’s Campus Counselor at Bethel since April 2023.
Counselor / Teacher
- Has served in Christian counseling, teaching, discipleship, and ministry administration since 2013.
- Graduated with a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University in 2021.
- Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling and Biblical Studies from Laurel University (formerly John Wesley College) in 2014.
- Worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years where she obtained multiple state and federal securities licenses.
Cathi Loss
Business Manager / Newsletter Editor
1984 – Present
Cathi, the wife of Rev. Don Loss, has served as the Business Manager and Newsletter Editor since 2005.
- Attended UNC-C
- Attended Columbia International University
- Missionary through Christian Literature Crusade in Panama
- Executive Director at Caldwell Pregnancy Care Center from 1990 – 2002
Stacy Pruitt
Accounts Payable / Database Manager / Website Manager
2006 – Present
Stacy, the wife of Rev. Paul Pruitt, has been the Accounts Payables, Website Manager, and Database Manager since 2006.
- Attending Craven Community College – June 2019, began working on an Associate in Applied Science/Accounting and Finance.
- Has worked as a Receptionist, in Accounting, and as a Medical Receptionist.
- Shift Manager and Waitress at Pizza Hut
Shirley Shiflett
Account Receivables / Chaplain
2014 – Present
Shirley has served as Accounts Receivables and Chaplain (alongside her husband Allen) at Bethel since 2014.
- 1978 Graduate from Columbia International Univ. with B.S. in Biblical Education, Graduate studies at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Christian Education.
- Attended: Northern AZ Univ. for a K-8 Elementary Education Certification, Lenoir-Rhyne Univ., for English as Second Language (ESL) K-12 Certification, Numerous Univ. & Community colleges for Continuing Edu. Credits and Chaplain courses.
- Missionary in Mohave County, AZ with Child Evangelism Fellowship, Chaplain with Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
- Elementary Classroom Teacher (2nd-5th); Substitute (K-12), Secretarial, Cashier, Pharmacy, Accounts Receivable experience. Volunteer in Sunday School, VBS, Puppet Ministry, GA’s
Allen Shiflett
Chaplain / Construction Manager
1996 – 2000
2008 – Present
Allen served as Project Mgr from 1996-2000 and has been serving as Chaplain, and Construction Manager since 2008.
- Attended Caldwell Community College for certification in HVAC
- Served in the U.S. Marine Corps. from 1975 – 1981
- Has worked in general construction, building from the foundation up, remodeling, and insurance restoration.
Travis Vernon
Men’s Campus Office Manager
2024 – Present
Travis has served as the Men’s Campus Office Mgr. at Bethel since October, 2024.
- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro
- Worship Leader for 15 years
- 20 years of Operations and Project Management and Expertise in the Insurance Industry
- Call Center Management experience for large Insurance companies
Bethany Williams
Women’s Campus Office Manager.
2021 – Present
Mrs. Bethany has served as the Women’s Campus Office Mgr. at Bethel since October 2021.
- Attended Craven Community College 2008-2010
- Veterinarian Assistant Certification 2018
- Has worked various housekeeping, service industry, and kennel attendant jobs
Donna Bowman
Women’s Campus Project Office Mgr.
2021 – Present
- Bernhardt Corporate Office 2021 – Customer Service
- Briefly served at the Women’s Campus in 2020 as Project Manager. Also, teaching class in The Battlefield of the Mind – Joyce Meyer’s book.
- Worked closely with Harvest Church to start W.O.M.E.N., a small group for a safe place to share environment. Teaching classes once opened meeting the students.
- Volunteered at Bethel Women’s campus prior to opening.
- Bio-Pro Research – Hickory, NC until 2019 when the company closed as Tradeshow Coordinator, Customer Service Manager, and International, and Domestic Sales.
- Assisted in the start-up of Celebrate Recovery at Christian Fellowship – Granite Falls, NC. (Serving as Co-leader for Drug and Alcohol group as well as Worship singer), Living Word – Lincolnton, and Living Hope – Lenoir.
- Co-Owned Standard Caulk & Window – Granite Falls, NC until the company closed in 2008.
Todd Tucker
Media Technician and Production Mgr.
2008 – Present
Todd has been serving as a Media Technician and Production Mgr. at Bethel since 2008. Todd is also the Lead Bus driver for the Men’s Campus.
- Graduated from Wilson Community Tech. College for Industrial Electronics in 1989
- Has worked in the commercial, industrial, and residential electrical field, construction, as a bench technician for a communication company, and as a truck driver.
Barry Lessel
Men’s Campus Project Manager
2019 – 2021
2021 – Present
- Residential / Light Commercial Paint Contractor from 1996 – 2019
- Residential Painter from 1991 – 1995
Tommy Sanders
Men’s Campus Kitchen Mgr.
2023 – Present
Tommy has served as Men’s Campus Kitchen Manager at Bethel since July 2023. April – July 2023 Tommy served as the Assistant Kitchen Manager.
- 36 years of Restaurant experience which included Exec. chef and sous-chef of traditional and seasonal dishes, catering, and events.
- Exec. Chef at 2 Roads Cafe in KY – fine dining, catering
- Sous-Chef at Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, KY – catering, events
- Sous-Chef at Danville KY Club, KY – Traditional and seasonal dishes, catering, and events
- Owner of Double Nickel Eats for 6 years
Cathy Sanders
Women’s Campus Kitchen Mgr.
2024 – Present
Cathy has served as Women’s Campus Kitchen Manager at Bethel since February 2024.
- 2022 ER Registration @ Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville, KY
- 2020 – 2022 Prep Cook @ Copper & Oak La Cosa Nostra in Danville, KY
- 2019 Prep Cook & Front House Manager @ The Grub Shack in Harrodsburg KY
- 25+ years experience as a Medical Receptionist.
- Medical Receptionist Certificate 2017
- 2013 – 2017 Attended Bluegrass Community Technical College. Studies include Medical Information Tech, Nursing LPN – Level 1, and Medical Administrative Assistant.
- CNA Certified 2013
- 5 years experience as a Floral Designer.
Sonny Thompson
Autoshop Manager
2017 – Present
Sonny has been serving as Auto Shop Manager at Bethel since 2017.
- Staff at Bethel 00’-02’ as Autoshop Mgr.
- Worked in Logging 20 years
- Owned Sonny’s Automotive 09’-13’
- Worked numerous mechanic positions
Chris Pilarski
Facilities Manager
2016 – 2018
2022 – Present
Chris has served as the Facilities Manager since June 2022. From August 2016 through April 2018 Chris served as support the Construction Manager with Campus building projects. Chris is responsible for project planning, estimating, and design.
- 1988 Graduate of Alfred State College – AAS Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering.
- Worked seven (7) years of consulting engineering HVAC design & project management experience.
- Worked nine (9) years of HVAC building automation systems (BAS) temperature control & security contracting experience.
- Worked two (2) years of experience as a 3rd party building commissioning (Cx) engineer and as the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Project Coordinator.
- Worked two (2) years of Healthcare Campus facility management (FM) experience.
- Worked four (4) years of HVAC sheet metal/mechanical contracting experience.
Chris Cooper
Med Room Manager
2021 – Present
- Worked in General Construction.
- Worked in Security.
- Worked in the furniture factory industry in maintenance, as an operator, and as a programmer of various machines including CNC machines.
- Attended CCC&TI taking courses in Business between 1990-1992.
Joshua Whiteside
Purchasing Mgr. / Men’s Campus Counseling Coordinator
2021 – Present
Joshua has served as our Purchasing Mgr. and Men’s Counseling Coordinator since Sept. 2021.
- Attending The Master’s University taking courses in Biblical Counseling since 2021.
- Purchasing Agent for Case Farms Chicken from 2018 – 2020.
Phil Lambert
Men’s Campus Housekeeping Mgr.
2021 – Present
Phil has served as our Housekeeping Manager since June 2021.
- House Cleaning from 2015 – 2018.
- Forklift driver and picker machine operator for a Freezer Company for approximately 3 years.
- Cook for Captain Galley’s Seafood Restaurant for approximately 10 years.
- Farm Hand at the family farm for approximately 5 years.
