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EASTERN N.C. CLERGY
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 REV. DR. RODNEY COLES SR

 

Rev. Dr. Rodney Coles Sr. was born in New York City and grew up serving in various ministries at St. Matthews Baptist Church. He responded to his call to Christian Ministry in 1987 and graduated from NYC Theological Seminary School that same year.

 Following his graduation, Pastor Coles pursued additional training for his ministry, attending the St. Luke Baptist Church Disciple Class led by Rev. Dr. J.G. McCann Sr. (A.A, B.A, M.Div., S.T.M., D.Min.).

 In 2006, he relocated to Greenville, North Carolina, feeling divinely inspired to initiate his own ministry. By January 2007, he founded The Children of God in Christ Church in Greenville, focusing on building God's kingdom, community, and people.

 In the fall of 2007, Pastor Coles was inspired by a vision to serve God's people, which led to the establishment of Churches Outreach Network. This initiative focuses on community members, especially those not part of the church body or who do not attend church. It provides a network of referrals, resources, aid, and support for those in need. Recognizing the importance of reaching out to those who are not familiar with Jesus, Churches Outreach Network collaborates with a coalition of community leaders, including pastors, ministers, heads of organizations, and businesses, to spread God's word and foster fellowship at events. It operates as a public nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. From this network, several ministries have been born, including The Inter-Faith Clergy, which meets monthly to discuss community needs, and the Community Action Committee, which works alongside law enforcement and faith-based organizations.

DR. STEVEN FERGUSON

Dr. Steven Ferguson is a seasoned general practice physician with over three decades of experience in family medicine, focusing on geriatrics, substance abuse, and preventive healthcare. He is highly respected in northeastern North Carolina as a community athletic supporter and Special Olympics advocate, providing countless free physicals to junior and high school students, including those with special needs. Beyond his family practice, Dr. Ferguson serves as Vice Chair of the Old North State Medical Society, established in 1887 to advance the interests of African American physicians and to continue supporting minority physicians. The society is dedicated to educating and advocating for vulnerable patients and residents of communities with historically poor health outcomes, striving to safeguard patient care quality across North Carolina.

A sought-after local and national speaker, Dr. Ferguson addresses topics such as preventive healthcare and Alzheimer's disease. He is also an ordained Medical Missionary, having served in Kenya, Africa.

His accolades include The Benevolent Advocate of Health Care Award from the Old North State Medical Society, NC, the Outstanding Service Award from Roanoke Chowan Hospital, NC, a Certificate of Community Partnership from the University of North Carolina Institute on Aging, and The Bellflower Award, recognizing his passionate care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

An enthusiastic photographer, scuba diver, and self-described "productive practice golfer," Dr. Ferguson is married to Patricia. They have two sons, Daniel (married to Nikki) and Joshua, and two grandchildren, Danielle and Nicholas.

DR. Ronnie Laney, MD, MPH, FAAFP

 

I grew up in Durham, North Carolina. I always wanted to become a doctor.
Medicine combines two things that I love: people and science. I am board-
certified in family medicine and have been practicing urgent care medicine
since 2011. I even served as medical director for a local urgent care center for
five years. Trained as a primary care physician, I love the broad scope of
urgent care medicine, along with the chance to perform procedures. I also
love the challenge and variety of acute care needs and diagnoses. While
medicine is challenging and patients are in need, I do try to connect with my
patients and address their needs, but make them feel special at the same
time. I am also active within my specialty outside of the clinic, serving on
several committees and boards. In my free time, I enjoy time with my friends,
exercising, and playing music as a hobby musician (guitar, bass, and drums).

Dr. Angelo D. Moore

 

Dr. Angelo D. Moore is the Inaugural Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Integrative Health Disparities and Equity Research (CIHDER) at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where he is responsible for designing research projects and attracting federal and other research funding, assuring operational efficiency, implementation of research and outreach programs and services, the dissemination of research findings, developing professional partnerships to expand networks for outreach and educational awareness in targeted health areas, providing leadership to ensure achievement of major goals, strategies and performance targets, overseeing the management of CIHDER's budget, building partnerships with potential donors to create new revenue streams to ensure the financial sustainability of CIHDER. He is also a Tenured Associate Professor in the School of Nursing. He received his BSN in 1995 from Winston-Salem State University, MSN in 2002 from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and PhD in 2010 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served 25 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

 JASON BROWN

 

Jason Brown has made a remarkable impact in agriculture, particularly in the realm of food security and philanthropy. After leaving his NFL career, he founded First Fruits Farm, a 1,000-acre farm in North Carolina, where he grows crops with the sole purpose of donating them to those in need. His farm has provided hundreds of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes and cucumbers to food banks and communities struggling with hunger.

 

Despite having no prior farming experience, Brown taught himself agricultural techniques—often using YouTube—and successfully cultivated large-scale crops. His journey has inspired many, showing that dedication and faith can lead to meaningful change. His farm also serves as an educational hub, offering tours and programs to encourage youth and families to reconnect with the land and understand the importance of agriculture.

Brown’s story is a testament to how farming can be a powerful tool for social good, proving that agriculture isn’t just about growing food—it’s about nourishing communities and fostering resilience. Would you like to explore his farm’s initiatives more?

VALARIE GATLIN

 

Valarie Gatlin is an experienced and fully qualified registered nurse who is efficient, thorough, and
passionate about delivering patients the best levels of care. Valarie possesses extensive healthcare
experience in a wide range of required nursing fields. She has the required physical, mental, and
emotional strength to stand up to the rigors of this demanding profession. She can work autonomously
and has a vast knowledge of using the latest state-of-the-art medical equipment to treat, observe and
record the condition of patients. As a driven individual who wants to progress, she is now looking for
suitable nursing positions with reputable, exciting, and modern healthcare providers. Valarie has
exceptional skills in teaching nursing courses, managing hospitals, improving patient satisfaction, and
managing scheduling systems. Her leadership abilities have been utilized as she served as president of
professional and community-based organizations and on community boards. Valarie retired from Vidant
Health and has received her certification as a health coach. Her goal in life is to combine her nursing
skills with her health coach certification to teach people how to take care of themselves before
becoming so ill they must be hospitalized.

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & amp; INVOLVEMENT
Transforming Christian Ministries Board member (Vice Chairman), 2021-present
Healthy Lives, Health Choices (Director), 2021-present
Homeless Shelter Clinic Board, 1999 -2020
Delta Sigma Theta (National Public Service) Sorority, 1984 – present
Jackie Robinson Baseball League Board
Philippi Missionary Baptist Church (Trustee)
President for Thompson-Galloway-Dixon Family Reunion, 1993 – 2009

CHERYL EMANUEL

 

Cheryl Emanuel, was a senior public health/community engagement leader working at the forefront of policy, advocacy, and equity in Public Health. Mrs. Emanuel joined the Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) in 2000. She brings broad-based expertise to public health as an inspiring, hands-on leader.

With extensive experience in developing programs and policies that foster an inclusive environment, Mrs. Emanuel works effectively with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds toward achieving team goals, helping families develop the building blocks for lifelong health. 

 

Mrs. Emanuel has provided strategic leadership in developing Public Health’s approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and collaboration for healthcare. As she puts it: “Everyone deserves healthcare, access and resources regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender and economical status.”

She is visionary and founder of Village HeartBEAT, the 2019 Grand Prize Winner of Aetna Foundation’s Healthiest Cities Counties Challenge Award. Village HeartBEAT was designed as a collaborative program organized with a multi-level framework that involves Faith-Based Organizations as a core stakeholder in addressing chronic disease prevention in various communities.

    About us

    Connecting with health programs, health providers and ministries on one accord; to bring resources to the community and faith-based initiatives

    Bringing us together as one to make a difference.

     

    Contact us
    EASTERN N.C. CLERGY HEALTH COALITION
    101 WEST 14TH STREET
    SUITE 200
    GREENVILLE, N.C. 27834
    252 717-9600
    rodneycon2007@gmail.com
    https://bmr2016.com/