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 been serving as Women’s Campus Director, alongside his wife Mrs. Regina Kelly, at Bethel since September 2021.
Pastor / Teacher / Administration
- Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry from Emmanuel College in 2015.
- Graduated with an Associate in Arts Degree from Caldwell Community College in 2012.
- 2 years as 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 been serving 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 at house parent at Turbeville Children’s Home in Turbeville South Carolina
Rev. Don Loss, M.Div.
Director of Counseling
1984 – Present
Pastor Loss is serving 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 as of April 2012.
Pastor / Teacher / Counselor
- Associate Degree of 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 Associate Degree in Christian Ministry and Religion 2018.
- Currently attending Liberty Online for Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies.
- Worked in Factories as 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 is serving 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 been serving 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 serving as 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
Allen Shiflett
Chaplain / Construction Manager
1996 – 2000
2008 – Present
Allen served as Project Mgr 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.
Shirley Shiflett
Account Receivables / Chaplain
2014 – Present
Shirley has been serving 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 including 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
Randy Wetzel
Men’s Campus Office Manager / Med Room Assistant
2017 – Present
Randy has been serving as Men’s Campus Asst Office Mgr. and Med room Assistant at Bethel since 2017. Randy began serving as the Men’s Campus Office Mgr. in 2020.
- Graduate of Valencia Comm College, Associates Degree in Business, Orlando, FL
- Graduate of Xavier University, Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Mortuary Science
- Attended Pinnacle Career Institute, Certified Medical Assist – CMA
- Worked at Fiserv in Fraud Prevention – Credit & Debit Card Services
- Worked at Convergys with AT&T Communications
- Worked at Chick-Fil-A as General Manager
- Worked at Arbys as General Manager
- Worked as a licensed Funeral Director for 35 years
Bethany Williams
Women’s Campus Office Mgr.
2021 – Present
Mrs. Bethany has been serving 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 been serving as the Women’s Campus Project Manager since December 28, 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, 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 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
Barry has been serving as Men’s Campus Project Manager at Bethel since January 2022. August 2021 – December 2021 served as Bethel’s Maintenance Mgr and September 2019 – February 2021 served as the Assistant Construction Mgr.
- Residential / Light Commercial Paint Contractor from 1996 – 2019
- Residential Painter from 1991 – 1995
Tommy Sanders
Men’s Campus Kitchen Mgr.
2023 – Present
- 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
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 – April 2018 Chris also served to 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
Chris has been serving as Laundry Room Manager and in the Med Room since 2021. Since February 2022 he has become the Med Room Manager.
- 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 been serving 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 been serving as our Housekeeping Mgr. 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.