Board of Trustees

2023 – 2024

Z. Scott Colter
Board Chair

Dr. Colter joins the NEBC trustee board with extensive administrative and ministry leadership experience. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Conservative Baptist Network and the Director of Strategic Initiatives at MidAmerica Theological Seminary, Dr. Colter also pursues the preservation of religious liberties within the United States. This passion has taken him across the globe to meet work with Christians who are currently suffering religious persecution and censorship. As a recent graduate from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Colter’s leadership and energy encompasses several Evangelical Societies and the Alliance Defending Freedom. He and his wife, Sharayah, and their two young children reside in Memphis, Tennessee. [2021-2025]

Doug Echols
Board Vice Chair

Dr. Echols brings a balance of Education and Ministry experience to the Board of Trustees. He is a graduate of James Madison University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry. He has served as a Trustee of Lifeway Christian Resources, Vice President of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, and on the Committee on Nominations for the Southern Baptist Convention. Doug pastors the Bethel Baptist Church of Yorktown, Virginia. He and his wife, Christy, have two daughters. [2020-2024]

Ellen McLean
Board Secretary

As a retired high school business education teacher, Ellen brings years of academic experience and faithful service to her ongoing positions of leadership in missions work. Currently the Missions Prayer Team Leader at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise, Alabama, she has participated in multiple mission trips to Vermont and Costa Rica. Mrs. McLean’s commitment to serving others is reflected in her responsibilities as Hillcrest’s Children’s Sunday School Director/Secretary, as Prayer Room Administrator, and as a member of the Missions Task Force. She is wife to John and mom to son, Jay and daughter, Kelsey. [2020-2027]

Joshua Bradbury

As the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Enfield, CT, Josh brings energy and insight to the board. He is a graduate of Northeastern Baptist College (2018) and is currently pursuing Masters work in Bible & Theology through The Master’s University. Born and raised in the northeast, Josh has a desire to see God’s word preached and hearts change in his native region. He is husband to Rachel and dad to his two daughters and one son. [2021-2025]

Stephen Carter

As an on-site NC-VT Partnership Coordinator and SBC Mission Service Corps missionary to Vermont, Stephen Carter brings experience and understanding to the call for missions across the globe and in the northeast. Following a six-year tour of duty with the US Air Force, Stephen spent 27 years working in nuclear power with Duke Energy. A graduate from Gardner Webb University, Mr. Carter was also involved in SBC Disaster Relief and World Changers; which included trips to Alaska, Honduras, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, and Haiti. Sensing God’s leading him to retire early, Steve and his wife, Nellene, as on-site missionaries, helped to begin demolition and remodeling of Northeastern Baptist College’s current campus. They continue to contribute much time, energy, and prayer to support NEBC’s mission to reach the lost with Christ in the northeast. [2023-2027]

Darryl Craft

Dr. Craft brings a wealth of Pastoral Ministry experience to the Board of Trustees. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. He has served as Pastor in Southern Baptist Churches in multiple states including Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In addition, Dr. Craft has served as a member on the SBC Committee on Committees, Committee on Nominations, and has also taught adjunctively for William Carey University. Darryl pastors the Whitesburg Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama. He and his wife, Vicky, have three grown children and two grandchildren. [2020-2024]

Candi Finch

Dr. Finch brings a mix of ministry and educational experience to the Board of Trustees. She holds a BA in Communication, an M.Div. in Women’s Studies, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and Church History. In addition to her current position at MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary as Director of Admissions and Dean of Women, Dr. Finch has taught adjunctively for Truett-McConnell University, worked for the Sandy Creek Foundation, and served on the SBC Resolutions Committee and the Women’s Ministry Advisory Council. Dr. Finch has provided leadership to multiple student ministries and missions endeavors stateside and internationally. In addition to her work as a seminary professor, Candi has contributed to books for women and youth, and speaks at women’s conferences. Several people invested in her life when she was a new believer in high school, and the impact they had on her reminds her of the positive influence we can have on others for Christ. [2023-2027]

Raja Kandanada

Raja is an Active Duty Army Chaplain currently serves as the Family Life Chaplain at the Pentagon. He provides care for the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Pentagon Force Protection Agency, DOD Civilians and Contractors. Born and raised in India, he moved to the United States to pursue an education in 1987. Prior to joining the Army, he served as a pastor for eight years in New England. In addition to earning his Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary, Raja also received degrees from Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a trained pastoral counselor with a master’s degree from Webster University/Fort Bragg, NC (2019) in Marriage, Couples, Family, and Children Therapy and additional training in Clinical Pastoral Education while at Fort Gordon, GA. Raja and his wife, Adele have a teen-aged daughter and reside in metro DC. [2023-2027]

Chuck Locke

Chuck Locke brings extensive ministry, business, and missions experience to the NEBC Board of Trustees. Having served as a bi-vocational student minister while in college and as a volunteer in church work for many years while working for UPS, the Lord called Pastor Chuck to full time ministry in 2010. Since that time he has served as the Executive Pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. In this ministry role, Pastor Chuck has been able to utilize both his business and ministry skills through a wide variety of responsibilities and to manage partnerships and lead numerous mission trips to the Northeast and around the world. [2023 – 2028]

Larry Pridmore

Pastor Larry brings a a pastor’s heart, educational experience, and a passion for reaching the Northeast with the Gospel to the NEBC Board. Having completed his bachelor’s from East Texas Baptist and his Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Pastor Larry and his wife Nancy moved to Whitehall, NY in 1979 to become the founding pastor of Grace Baptist Church. While serving in this role, Pastor Larry also served as an adjunct professor. In 2006 the Lord called Pastor Larry to serve as the Senior Pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Mansfield, LA, where he faithfully served until he retired in 2021. While there he held several denominational roles including as a Trustee for another Baptist College in LA. Following retirement in Rogers, AR, he joined the Immanuel Baptist Church pastoral staff in a part-time role in July of 2021. [2023-2027]

Tyler Ray

Tyler Ray is a native to Maine who loves his home state and has a desire to serve God there by reaching the lost and shepherding the flock that God has called him to. He currently serves as the pastor at New Covenant Baptist Church in North Berwick, Maine. Tyler received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Northeastern Baptist College in Bennington, Vermont and a Bible Diploma and Bible Certificate from Word of Life Bible Institute in Pottersville, NY. Tyler and his wife, Meghan, have four kids. [2024-2028]

Thomas C. Schwindling

As the current Director of Creative Services at Phil Waldrep Ministries, TC adds vision and passion to the NEBC trustee board. His desire to serve New England church leaders with his added creative ability to manage events and create strategies for Phil Waldrep Ministries, TC provides the board a fresh outlook on reaching the northeast for Christ. Educated at Carnegie Mellon, Mr. Schwindling was awarded the Lloyd Wenninger Award for Stage Design. TC and his wife, Julie, have three young children. They share a passion for adoption advocacy and work tirelessly to raise awareness of unjust international adoption laws and regulations. [2021-2025]

Ron Smith
Trustee Emeritus

Phil Waldrep
Trustee Emeritus