RICK EZELL
Managing Partner
864-770-3560 • rick@employeecareofamerica.com
Rick pastored churches in Indiana, Illinois, and South Carolina before launching ECA. He is a graduate of Samford University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rick has authored six books, contributed to other books and Study Bibles, written over 1200 articles. He and his wife, Cindy, have one grown daughter.
DAVID BLANTON
Director of Operations
David served as a campus minister, missionary to Ecuador, pastor, and Director of Missions. David is bilingual in English and Spanish. David is from Fort Worth, Texas, graduating from The University of Texas at Arlington and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. David is a U.S. Department of Justice accredited representative offering legal services to immigrants. He is married to Norma, a retired ESOL (English Spoken as Other Language) teacher. They have two grown children. David enjoys being "Opa” to six grandchildren.
JUAN RIVERA
Director of Operations
Juan served in pastoral ministry for over 37 years in Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio before joining Employee Care of America. Juan is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration and a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters in Religious Education. Juan is bilingual (Spanish and English). His strengths are pastoral care, leadership development, spiritual formation, and project management. Juan is married to Rosa, and they have two grown children and three grandchildren.
RICK WOLFE
Director of Operations
Rick served as pastor of churches in Illinois and Florida before moving to Southeast Asia to serve as a church planter. He brings over 30 years of cross-cultural experience from serving as an international missionary and missions personnel consultant. Rick is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and Southwestern Seminary. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast, enjoying hiking and fishing in his spare time. Rick is married to Beth, and they have two grown children.
Mike Hatch
Mike has served as Pastor of several churches in South Carolina and was a church planter. He has served as a police chaplain and taught Missionary Aviation students and Trade/Technology students earning their associates degrees. He is a graduate of Bob Jones University and has a Master's degree in teaching and a B.A. in Church Administration. Mike also has worked in the private sector as a machinist and CNC programmer and was a ASQ-CQA for a pharmaceutical company. Mike is married with 3 grown sons and 9 grandchildren.
LAURA BAILEY
Laura Bailey is a wife and mom of three young girls and lives in Upstate, South Carolina. A graduate of Clemson University, she had a career in sales before answering God's call to go into women's ministry. She earned a Biblical Women's Studies certificate from SEBTS and serves as director of women's ministries at her church, Macedonia Baptist in Gaffney, SC. She is an author of numerous books and bible studies and a speaker encouraging to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply Scripture's timeless truths to their lives. She loves strong black coffee, reading, hiking, and cooking with her girls.
Charly Whisenhunt
Charly is married to Steve, a retired Air Force soldier. Their story began when Steve was stationed in Germany, which is where they first met. Together, they have raised three children who are now adults and have been blessed with six grandchildren. Charly pursued higher education, studying psychology at Colorado Christian University. She continued her academic journey and recently graduated with a master’s degree in Specialized Ministry Pastoral Care from Northwind Theological Seminary, further equipping herself to care for and support those around her. Approximately three years ago, they felt led by God to move once again, this time to Piedmont, South Carolina, where they currently reside. Throughout her life, Charly has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others. Charly also finds fulfillment in simple acts of kindness, such as sharing a cup of coffee with a friend.
_edited.jpg)
BRUCE WHITE
Bruce has been in full-time vocational ministry for 28 years. He received his seminary education was at Dallas Theological Seminary. pastored The Journey Church in Lewisville, Texas for 13 years. He is on the Executive Board of NTBA local association of churches & is a Marriage Matters Conference Speaker. He is married to Lana and they have two sons, Ross and Isaac. Bruce loves cutting horses, hunting, hiking and traveling to see the mountains and oceans. For more information on Bruce check out his website www.brucewhiteministries.com
JAY DOCKWEILER
Jay is a husband, father of three, and has been a resident of Georgia since 1993. During his professional career, he has been an educator, a speaker, a coach, a marketer, a college administrator, and a pastor. He volunteers in a variety of ways in his local community and as a part of a nonprofit doing community development work in Uganda, Africa. In 2002, he started The Church at SouthEdge, in Henry County, Georgia and still serves as Pastor.
.jpg)
CHRIS SHIRK
Chris has a passion for coming along side others to encourage them in their walk with the Lord and strengthen their faith. He has served as an assistant pastor in both English and Spanish speaking churches. Together, Chris and his wife, Maria, have over 13 years of ministry experience and are currently raising three young boys. He is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College and is currently studying to achieve his Master’s of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
RUTH MCWHITE
Ruth McWhite is originally from Greer, SC, where she grew up at First Baptist Church. She and her husband, Allen, pastored churches in Manning, Spartanburg and Taylors, SC. They also served two terms with the IMB in Ecuador. She served sixteen years as the Director of Women’s ministries at North Greenville University. She has a great passion to see women come into a relationship with Christ and then grow in that relationship through the knowledge of His Word. She makes her home in Travelers Rest, SC. She is the mother of five children, and her family is multiplying, as four children have married wonderful spouses and have provided thirteen precious grandchildren!
TIM MURRAY
Tim is married with five children and a granddaughter. He serves as an Associate Pastor at his church where he oversees the Men's and Outreach Ministries. Tim’s passion is to help men and women walk in their God-given purpose. He has an Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies from Columbia International University. He’s a huge sports fan.
KAREN SALERNO
Karen joined our team after serving nearly 20 years as the Executive Director of a Christian nonprofit and over 30 years in the business world. She brings with her a wealth of administrative experience along with a passion for reaching the hurting and lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Karen has two sons, one of whom is a pastor and the other a small business owner. She looks forward to continuing to serve God’s kingdom in this new chapter of her life as she enjoys semi-retirement.
EDGAR MONTANO
Edgar is originally from Venezuela where he graduated from Colegio University. He has also studied at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the Hispanic Pastor at New Hope Baptist Church. He is married with three children.
EDDIE SANCHEZ
Watching my parents serve prepared me for work as a special needs counselor, pastor, church starter, immigration shelter & transport chaplain as well as various other ministries. At the core, I always seek work in helping those in the community.
.jpeg)
CHET ANDREWS
Chet has served in pastoral ministry for over 30 years in North and South Carolina. Chet has an undergraduate degree from The University of South Carolina, a Master of Divinity degree from Gardner-Webb University, and a Doctor of Ministry from North Greenville University. Chet is gifted in pastoral ministry and enjoys helping others with their health and fitness goals. Chet has been married to Hope for 29 years and they have four children.
ROD WEST
Rod is the Founder and Director of Biblical Counseling of Christ-Centered Solutions. Before founding CCS, he served in pastoral ministry for thirty years in the Carolinas. After graduating from Liberty University, and prior to entering full-time ministry, Rod worked as a Behavioral Counselor and Social Worker in the NC mental health system, serving children with severe behavior and emotional issues. He holds several degrees, including a BS in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Biblical Studies.
BJ BATEMAN
BJ Bateman is originally from Virginia, BJ’s marriage vow has taken her to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and now back to Greer, SC. BJ and her husband Larry ministered with the North American Mission Board and locally at Taylors First Baptist, Edwards Road Baptist, and Greer First Baptist. BJ has served as the Director for Child Evangelism Fellowship for the Upstate. BJ’s passion is studying and teaching God’s Word. BJ and Larry also help couples build a Biblical foundation for their marriages. In addition to cheering for her grandchildren at local ballfields, BJ and Larry enjoy a competitive game of pickleball
John Lee Malphrus
John Lee served as a missionary to Mexico and Peru. He currently is working in construction as a Human Resource Manager but also serves as a chaplain. He joined ECA in September as a part-time chaplain. He is bilingual in Spanish and English. He is a graduate of Clemson University in Business Administration and a graduate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a MDIV in Missiology. He is married to Tricia and has 2 children.
MARK HUGHES
Mark has pastored churches in Virginia over the past 27 years and now serves as senior pastor of West End Baptist Church in North Dinwiddie, Virginia. Mark is a graduate of James Madison University with a degree in Art and a graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond with a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry. Mark is married to Kelly, and they have three children.
PHIL BRYSON
Phil has served two churches in his home town for a total of 37 years. He attended Fruitland Baptist Bible College and Mid Atlantic Bible College and Seminary. He has served in multiple Chaplaincy positions in which he now serves as Chaplain Trainer and Coordinator for the South Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Ministry. He has been married for 43 years, and has two daughters and five grandchildren. He loves to play golf and hunt.
GREG BURTON
Greg is a recently retired pastor after 45 years, including 20 at his last church. He has three earned degrees covering a variety of areas related to caregiving. He believes in the power of listening, prayer and friendships.
JEFF MAYNARD
Jeff Maynard has been in full time ministry since 1989. During that time he has served as a senior pastor in Western NC as well as a missionary to South Africa. Jeff has also traveled extensively on short term mission trips having ministered in 8 countries and 12 states.
He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of Music Education and South Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity with Christian Education.
Jeff and His wife Donna have three children. Jeff loves the outdoors and spends his free time hiking, fishing, and duck hunting.
.jpg)
JEROME WALKER
Jerome Walker is a husband of 31 years to a very sweet and patient lady named Carri. I have three children, two of which are a boy / girl set of twins. I've been a local church pastor for over 20 years and find it a privilege to get back again into "The Mix" of the workplace, where so many people spend a large portion of their lives.
LUCY HUDDLESTON
Lucy had been a pastor’s wife for 45 years. She earned a degree in Biology/teaching from Winthrop University and a Master of Agriculture from Clemson University. Lucy taught Adult Education and also worked with volunteers and juveniles through Juvenile Arbitration Programs. She enjoys leading women in Bible study. Her husband Tommy and she have three children.
BARNEY ATKINSON
Barney recently retired after 45 years in the Commercial/Industrial Construction and Real Estate Development Business. . He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 51 years, raised two daughters, with seven grandchildren (six boys and one girl). He has been involved in all facets of ministry from teaching youth to adults, along with serving in numerous leadership roles. His spiritual gifts are prophecy and exhortation which has equipped his heart and fueled his passion for discipleship and telling people about the love of Jesus. Barney and Mary currently reside in the upstate of South Carolina.
.png)
BILL MOUNTSIER
Bill enjoys being with people. With a BA from Duke University and a Master’s Degree from Southern Seminary, Bill draws on both academic knowledge and real-world experience in mentoring youth and adults of all ages. He has served as a pastor, coach, teacher, counsellor, and mostly, as a friend. Bill and his wife Deb have been married for over forty years and have two happy and successful grown children. Huge sports fans, Bill and Deb love their Reds, Bengals, and FCC along with all things Cincinnati - Skyline, Montgomery Inn, LaRosa's, the parks, the river, and of course, Graeter's Ice Cream.
BILL JASAN
Bill is a veteran of pastoral ministry. He is a gifted counselor and teacher of God’s Word. Bill’s compassion for the lost is evidenced by a strong background in rescue and inner-city ministry. He has a heart for foreign missions and is the founder and director of Stone of Help Haiti, serving the cause of Christ via Discipleship and actions in Health and Education. Bill and his wife, Marcella, currently reside in Summerville, SC.
