Executive Director

Rev. Paul Pruitt

2003 – Present

Pastor Pruitt has served as Executive Director since April 2012, and Paul has been 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

Associate Director

Rev. Zac Starnes, M.A.Min.

2016 – Present

Pastor Starnes began serving as the Associate Director on November 1, 2021.  Pastor Starnes has been Pastor and Counselor at Bethel since 2016.

Pastor / Teacher / Counselor

  • Worked as a Carpenter from 2001 to 2016, Framing houses, remodeling, and building furniture
  • Has an 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 to 2017.

Men’s Campus

Pastors / Counselors

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.

Pastor Josh Alphin

Men’s Campus Pastor / Counselor
2025 – Present


Pastor / Teacher / Counselor

  • Local License and Ordained Pastor
  • Obtaining Biblical Christian Counseling Certification
  • Youth Pastor & Minister (2022 – 2025)
  • Attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campbell University, and Heritage Bible College
  • Marketing and Public Relations 20+ years
  • Shrimp Boat Captain
  • Auctioneer Colonel

Mr. Robbie Frye

Men’s Campus Counselor
2025 – Present


Counselor / Teacher

  • Fruitland Baptist Bible College from 2024 – 2025
  • Associates in Religion/Christian Ministries 2025
  • Real Estate Broker/Realtor 1998 – 2017
  • Mingle Institute of Real Estate, 1996
  • Bunker Hill High School, 1995

Rev. Paul Ritchie

Pastor Emeritus
1986 – Present

Pastor Ritchie served as Executive Director and Senior Pastor from 1986 – 2012 and is now serving as Pastor Emeritus at the Men’s Campus. He desires to serve the Lord all his life.

Pastor / Teacher

  • 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 the Baptist Lay Witness Ministry for 10 years

Rev. Don Loss, M.Div.

Pastor Emeritus
1984 – Present

Pastor Loss is serving as Pastor Emeritus at the Men’s Campus. He has served as Pastor and Director of Counseling from 1984 to October 2025.  Pastor Loss also served as Associate Director from 1984 to October 2021.

Pastor / Teacher

  • 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

Men’s Campus Staff

Mio Ward

Men’s Campus Office Manager
2025 – Present

Mio has served as the Men’s Campus Office Manager at Bethel since November 2025. He has previously served as the Assistant Office Manager since July 2025. 

  • Special Education Teacher (Grades 1-5)
  • Registered Behavioral Technician
  • Funeral Home Office Manager / Assistant Funeral Director
  • EMS Provider and Driver
  • Tax Preparer / Notary Public
  • Dual-focused Bachelor’s degree in Elementary School Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12)
  • Nationally recognized by The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
  • RBT Certification from The Autism Partnership Foundation
  • Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate (NREMT)
  • Licensed Emergency Vehicle Operations Controller 1, 2, 3 Certifications

Barry Lessel

Men’s Campus Project Manager
2019 – 2021
2021 – Present

Barry has served as the Men’s Campus Project Office Manager at Bethel since October 2021. 

  • 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

Chris Cooper

Med Room Manager
2021 – Present

Chris has served as Med Room Manager since February 2022. He served as the Laundry Room Manager from February 2021 to February 2022.

  • 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.

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.
  • Cooked for Captain Galley’s Seafood Restaurant for approximately 10 years.
  • Farm Hand at the family farm for approximately 5 years.

Jason Booth

Project Assistant
2023 – Present

Jason has been serving as a Project Assistant at Bethel since March 2023.

Ben Bowden

Pastoral Assistant / Counseling Coordinator
2024 – Present

Ben has been serving as a Pastoral Assistant at Bethel since May 2025 and as the Counseling Coordinator since October 2025. He served as the Office Manager Assistant from November 2024 through May 2025.

  • Graduated from Liberty University in August 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies degree.
  • Graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in 2007 with an Associate of Religion degree.
  • I previously worked as an insurance claims adjuster for Metropolitan Property and Casualty.
  • Served as a Counselor and Teacher at Teen Challenge Middle Georgia.
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Women’s Campus

Women’s Campus Directors

Rev. Johnny Kelly

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

2021 – Present

Mrs. Regina has served as Women’s Campus Director, alongside her husband, Pastor Johnny Kelly, at Bethel since September 2021.

Counseling Director / Counselor / 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

Women’s Campus Staff

Dawn O’Dell

Women Campus Counselor
2025 – Present


Ms. Dawn has served as our Women’s Campus Counselor at Bethel since June 2025.

Counselor / Teacher

  • Worked at various Addiction Recovery ministries for the past 4 years, helping women overcome addiction and other life-altering situations.
  • Worked for 15+ years in Early Childhood Education, both in the classroom as a Pre-K teacher and in Administration as an Assistant Director (4 years) and then Director (2 years).
  • Graduated from Heritage Bible College with an Associate’s in Religious Education with a minor in Christian Education in 2001.

Donna Bowman

Women’s Campus Counselor / Liaison
2021 – Present

Ms. Donna has served as a Women’s Campus Counselor since September 2025 and has served as the Women’s Campus Liaison since April 2025. As the Women’s Campus Liaison, she is the primary point of contact for scheduling Women’s Campus events/activities and the main point of contact for the Women’s Campus alumni. She served as the Women’s Campus Project Office Manager from December 2021 until April 2025.

Counselor / Teacher

  • 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 women. Teaching classes and meeting the students.
  • Volunteered at Bethel Women’s campus before 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.

Bethany Williams

Women’s Campus Office Manager.
2021 – Present

Mrs. Bethany has served as the Women’s Campus Office Manager 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

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 of 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 of experience as a Floral Designer.

Becky Lessel

Women’s Campus Project Manager
2023 – Present

Becky has served as Women’s Campus Project Manager since April 2025. She served as Grounds Manager at Bethel from September 2023 through April 2025. 

  • Health Insurance Billing and Appeals for 10 years
  • Restaurant Serving and Management 20yrs
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Support Staff

These staff positions serve both the men’s and women’s campuses.

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.

  • Attended Craven Community College from June 2019 to 2022, and began working on an Associate in Applied Science/Accounting and Finance.
  • Has worked as a Receptionist, Accounting Assistant, and as Medical Receptionist.
  • Shift Manager and Waitress at Pizza Hut

Mindy Alphin

Business Manager
2025 – Present

Mindy, the wife of Rev. Josh Alphin, has served as the Business Manager since September 2025.

  • Local Ministry License
  • Obtaining Biblical Christian Counseling Certifications
  • Administrative Assistant to Executive Pastor & President of RISE Ministry Network
  • Youth Pastor and Administrative Assistant of the church (2022-2025)
  • NCDHHS Licensing Consultant for 10 years
  • Technical Assistant Consultant for Child Care Providers for 7 years
  • Bachelor’s in Family Studies & Child Development, Campbell University
  • Associates from Johnston Community College

Kristy Starnes

Accounts Receivable
2025 – Present

Kristy has served as Accounts Receivable at Bethel since September 2025.

  • School Counselor and Behavior Specialist (2016-present)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling, Liberty University, VA (2023)
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Appalachian State University, NC (2015)
  • Associate in Arts (AA), Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, NC (2012)
  • Worked as a customer service and sales representative from 2001-2008
  • Attended Lay Counseling courses from 2015-2017 

Travis Vernon

Director of Operations
2024 – Present

Travis has served as the Director of Operations since November 2025. He served as the Men’s Campus Office Manager at Bethel from October 2024 through October 2025. 

  • 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

Allen Shiflett

Construction Manager / Chaplain
1996 – 2000
2008 – Present

Allen served as Project Manager from 1996 through 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 to 1981
  • Has worked in general construction, building from the foundation up, remodeling, and insurance restoration.

Todd Tucker

Media Technician and Production Mgr.
2008 – Present

Todd has been serving as a Media Technician and Production Manager 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.

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 for 20 years
  • Owned Sonny’s Automotive 09’-13’
  • Worked in numerous mechanical positions

Chris Raines

IT Manager
2019 – 2023
2024 – Present

Chris has been serving as IT Manager at Bethel since November 2019.  Chris stepped back into an IT Consulting role in April 2023 through November 2024.  He is now back full-time as our IT Manager.

  • Self-taught in computer systems and network management since high school
  • Earned a Software Development degree from Bethel School of Technology in 2022
  • Has traveled and been involved in several nationwide missions/revivals
  • Worked as an Instructor of Software Development and Cybersecurity at Bethel School of Technology, 2023-2024
  • Attending online Bible College to finish his Associate degree in Christian Leadership in hopes of taking on some counseling, teaching, and preaching.

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 to 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.
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