Executive Director

Rev. Paul Pruitt

2003 – Present

Pastor Pruitt has been serving 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 2001-2016, 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.

Men’s Campus

Pastors / Counselors

Rev. Don Loss, M.Div.

Men’s Campus Pastor / 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. 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.

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 / 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

Men’s Campus Staff

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

Barry Lessel

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

Barry has served as the Men’s Campus Project Office Mgr. 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 Mgr. from February 2021 till 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.
  • Cook for Captain Galley’s Seafood Restaurant for approximately 10 years.
  • Farm Hand at the family farm for approximately 5 years.

Greg Greer

Pastoral Assistant
2023 – Present

Greg has been serving as the Pastoral Assistant at Bethel since June 2024. Served as Office Mgr. Assistant from June 2023 till June 2024.

  • 15 years at Hickory Springs Corporation, worked in several positions, last position worked was as the Department Cordinator.
  • Currently taking courses to obtain a Chaplain Certificate.

Jason Booth

Project Assistant
2023 – Present

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

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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

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.

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

Mrs. Donna has served as the Women’s Campus Project Office Mgr. at Bethel since December 2021.

  • 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.

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.

Wendy Patterson

Women’s Campus Creative Art Director
2023 – Present

Wendy has served as Women’s Campus Creative Art Director at Bethel since June 2023. 

Rebecca Lessel

Women’s Campus Grounds Mgr.
2023 – Present

Rebecca has served as Women’s Campus Grounds Manager at Bethel since September 2023. 

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

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

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.

  • Attended Craven Community College – June 2019-2022, 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

Construction Manager / Chaplain
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.

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.

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 Raines

IT Manager
2019 – 2023
2024 – Present

Chris has been serving as IT Manager at Bethel since November 2019.  Chris stepped back to an IT Consulting role in April 2023 until 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 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.

Joshua Austin

Assistant Autoshop Manager
2019 – 2021
2023 – Present

Josh has been serving as Assistant Auto Shop Manager at Bethel since 2023. Josh served as Assistant Autoshop Mgr. as well as Canteen Mgr. and Assistant Counseling Coordinator from 2019 – 2021.

  • Graduated from Sandhills Community College with Associate Degree in Automotive Systems Technology – 2005
  • 24+ years experience as an Automotive Technician 
  • ASE Master Technician certification 
  • Automotive Technician – Adam’s Garage and Service – 2001 – 2011
  • Manager Doug’s Tire & Auto 2013-2018
  • Restaurant Cook experience as well 
  • Automotive Technician – Chrysler Dealership 
  • Warehouse Manager – NC Department of Corrections – 2006 – 2013
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