Patriot Chaplains
This page is dedicated to Lurone Jennings and Jimmy Lee, two men who have been particularly instrumental in the life of Mark Alexander as outstanding examples of how God would have us live in our families, communities and the world. Both men have committed to pray for our nation, our mission and our Patriot staff.
Lurone "Coach" Jennings
Former Executive Director, The Bethlehem Center
Author of "Crisis in Urban America" and many essays on solutions to the problems plaguing our inner city communities.
For decades, Lurone led The Bethlehem Center, a faith-based ministry dedicated to transforming lives and communities through services and ministries focused on Character Development, Education/Literacy and Leadership Development.
Having been an outstanding football player in his younger days, he devoted his early career to teaching and coaching at the high school level, and had the pleasure of coaching NFL All-Pro Defensive End Star and Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XXXI Champion Reggie White. He also coached WNBA Basketball player and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Venus Lacy.
He would later become a high school principal and then Director of Drug Education with responsibility for programs in 41 schools, where he would gain firsthand experience into the limitations and futility of government school solutions for urban crisis.
Lurone left the government education system for full time ministry in 1995, becoming the founding pastor of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church and serving as Executive Director of the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Inc.
He is engaged in public policy regarding inner-city youth, and founder of the V-Team Leadership Network of America, providing a "VOICE with VISION and VICTORY for the Game of Life," with the objective of empowering urban teenagers to make responsible decisions through character development.
Lurone earned his Bachelor of Science from Fisk University and Masters Degree from Trevecca Nazarene College. He is a licensed and ordained minister.
Jim Lee
Former Executive Director, Living Free Ministries
Author of "Understanding the Times" and many other books, essays and teaching curricula.
Jim Lee is the founder and president of Turning Point Ministries, Inc., an equipping ministry whose goal is to assist every church to mobilize itself to help people within its sphere of influence to overcome life-controlling problems. The Turning Point team is committed to an interdenominational and intercultural ministry through the media of seminars and curriculum.
He is also founder of Turning Point's educational component, Living Free Ministries, an outstanding resource to assist churches in the development of Christ-centered small groups that help people turn to God and His resources when dealing with life's problems through curricula focused on Discipleship, Marriage and Family, General Discipleship, Leadership Training, and Youth Groups.
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Jim earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Rice Seminary.