lonnie clouse
Lonnie's vision for First Responders 1st is to come along side of our first responders who serve and protect. We do so by establishing a trusting relationship and partnering with them so they will have confidence to approach the chaplain for support.
Lonnie has a Bachelors degree in Theology and a Masters in Religion. He served for 17 years with MRO as a chaplain serving the NASCAR community. In January of 2018, he founded and started full time with First Responders 1st.
Lonnie has been happily married since 1995 and has 5 children. Three of them are biological and 2 have been adopted from the state of NC. He is actively involved in his non-denominational church in Harrisburg.
Lonnie enjoys riding his bicycle in his free time and also spending time with his family. He participates in the annual Ride to D.C. It is a 500 mile ride that raises funding and awareness for fallen officers and their families riding from Charlotte, NC to Washington D.C.
michael cowen
Michael is originally from Beach Park, Il. He has been married since 1999 to his wife, Christine Cowen. They have 4 daughters, Rebecca, Abigail, Meah, & Katelyn.
After graduating from college at B.R.S.M in 99, Mike joined the college staff and worked for 8 years where he was a part of managing and leading the education of students. He held the position of Director of Student Services & Campus Life.
In 2005 Mike joined Verizon Wireless and managed 3 different stores, in 3 states. He turned failing stores into success stories by developing and leading his teams. Leaving his career with Verizon in 2017, Mike and Christine went into business with their current cleaning and maintenance company.
Currently, he is the Assistant Pastor at Antioch Community Church in Concord, Dean of students at Warrior Notes School of Ministry and serves as one of the Police Chaplain’s for the city of Concord, NC. Mike has worked with 3 different police agencies supporting first responders. Mike has held many ministry positions including youth pastor, families pastor, military mentor, and associate pastor. He has actively been involved in ministry and enriching people’s lives with the Gospel since 1999.
Mike’s passion is mentoring and equipping individuals and families through 1 on 1 development. With his family, he lives each day to impact the world around him with the love of Jesus.
jonathan waits
Jonathan is originally from Independence, Missouri. After attending seminary at Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado, he and his family served in Church Road, Virginia for nine years before answering God’s call to serve at First Baptist Oakboro in Oakboro, North Carolina.
Jonathan and his beautiful bride, Lisa, have been married for 15 years and are blessed with three terrific boys.
Jonathan’s ministry passion is to see churches come alive with passion and desire to advance the kingdom of God in practical, intentional ways in their community. It is his passion for Gospel work in his community that has led him to begin chaplain work with the local police department.
A teacher at heart, Jonathan loves listening to peoples’ stories and helping them make connections between what they have experienced and what God is doing in their lives. His goal is to see each person with whom he ministers become who God has designed them to be.
Paul Turbedsky
Paul is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He’s been married to Desiree since 1982. They have three grown children – Matt, Christy and Chris. He and Desiree have been blessed with two grandsons – Caeden and Greyson.
After completing graduate school at the University of Arizona, Paul and Desiree moved to Miami, Florida where Paul started a career in sport medicine that gave him the privilege to work with athletes from the amateurs to the pros and travel the world through sports. In 1998 he transitioned into full time ministry by joining the staff at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius. Over the years his ministry assignments included leading mission teams to Mexico, Nicaragua, and France; local outreach efforts, men’s ministry, young adults, and home groups. Most recently he oversees the ministries of Senior Adults and Congregational Care.
When not working he enjoys exercising, vegetable gardening and family time.
His life verse is Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
jonathan dulin
Jonathan Dulin is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is married and has four awesome kids. He has his Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and is currently in the process of getting his Master of Divinity with the Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary.
Jonathan has spent most of his adult life on the foreign mission field. His passion for the Lord inspired him to move to Russia in the year 1999. He has since then reached some of the most remote and destitute places in the world including pioneering a ministry within a landfill. Their family has had the honor of calling Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines their home.
Jonathan’s family recently returned from mission field and is now residing in Charlotte. When he is not working, he loves spending time with his family, gardening and going for long hikes.
Bill Bartlett
Dr. Bill Bartlett is a retired mental health professional who has had a long career working with individuals, groups and families in various settings. He has held numerous roles including that of pastor, Bible college professor, psychiatric emergency specialist, inpatient and outpatient mental health counselor, and employee assistance counselor. He has also carried leadership responsibilities while serving in these roles both in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He is an ordained minister and currently a consultant to and chaplain with First Responders 1st.
Bill has a Three-Year Bible College diploma in Bible & Theology from Appalachian Bible College, a B.A. in Psychology from Cedarville University, an M.A. in Education-Counseling from West Virginia Graduate College and an Ed.D. in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech. He also has additional graduate- level theological training from Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary.
Bill and his wife Gloria have three adult children and eleven grandchildren. He and his wife live in Concord, NC and attend West Cabarrus Church, where they are both actively involved.
Jeff James
Jeff was born and raised in Kannapolis, NC and has strong roots to this area. He now resides near downtown Kannapolis with his wife, Donna. He has been happily married for almost 30 years and has two daughters who are now married.
Jeff currently serves as associate pastor for Village Chapel in Kannapolis. Jeff is completing his bachelors degree in ministry and church leadership at Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development. Ministry has been part of Jeff’s life for nearly 3 decades serving in a variety of roles. Initially he was a deacon, chairman of deacons, Sunday school teacher, and youth leader. Later he joined full-time ministry by staffing men’s ministry events on Quest and ManCamp through Fellowship of the Sword and Koloff for Christ Ministries. Now, he is a family pastor, discipleship pastor, and associate pastor in his church.
Jeff is active in the community as well by serving on the board of directors for Koloff and Christ Ministries. He is a chaplain with Kannapolis Police Department, Outdoor Revolution and Blueline Brotherhood. His focus in ministry is to lead others to pursue a biblical lifestyle of freedom through training and the application of the Word. Men’s ministry is a special interest for Jeff since he has personally witnessed the transformation of families after men have aligned their lives with Christ. Jeff has a special interest in first responders because his son-in-law serves in law enforcement.
Joshua Quay
Joshua Quay is onboarding as the chaplain for Huntersville Police Department. He is both highly qualified for this position and comes to HPD with high recommendation from those who know him well.
Joshua is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a combat medic and Senior Dive Medical Technician. He continues his military service in the Army Reserve as a Chaplain Candidate, where he facilitates religious support for service members of various faith traditions.
Joshua also has a full-time ministry role with Christ Community Church in Huntersville, NC. As a Pastoral Assistant, he is a leader of 50 study & fellowship groups within the church community. Preceding his current position, he served as a ministry intern at Citizens Church in Charlotte, NC. While in that role, he developed counseling and spiritual development resources to support the church’s small group ministry program. Josh also has a background of volunteer service to children and youth before becoming a professional minister.
Joshua earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree at Liberty University. He is also on track to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree at Reformed Theological Seminary in May 2024.
Angela Pleasants
Reverend Angela A. Pleasants serves as Director of Clergy Church Relations with the Global Methodist Church. Angela is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, completing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and a graduate of Duke Divinity School with a Master's in divinity. She is certified as a Spiritual Director through Anam Cara.
For twenty-four years she served as a pastor in United Methodist Churches across the Western North Carolina Conference. Four of the twenty-four years, she served as a District Superintendent of the Catawba Valley District. She also served on various conference committees, including the Board of Ordained Ministry, the United Methodist Foundation Board of Directors, and cabinet representative to the General Council on Finance and Administration as well as Chair of the Board of Elders. She has been a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
Angela has also served as chaplain to various police agencies across North Carolina and the United States Secret Service, and currently serves as Senior Chaplain with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. She also serves as Crisis Response Director of Back the Blue North Carolina.