New Statewide Director of Chaplaincy Services

Kenneth Ellis Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Dr. Kenneth Ellis, Interim Statewide Director of Chaplaincy to Statewide Director of Chaplaincy Services effective July 16, 2024. As Director, Dr. Ellis will be responsible for the pastoral care of inmates and staff as well as ensuring offender’s first amendment religious rights are honored. He will also coordinate and train GDC’s statewide chaplains who facilitate worship services, religious education, spiritual counseling, and crisis intervention of those in our custody.  Dr. Ellis will further support and oversee the Volunteer Services unit which is responsible for the training and management of more than 5,000 certified correctional volunteers. 

"Dr. Ellis’ extensive pastoral experience, along with his education and leadership skills make him an asset to this department,” said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “We look forward to his continued guidance as he takes on his new role as Director of Chaplaincy."

Dr. Ellis began his career with the GDC in 2013 as the Director of the New Orleans Theological Seminary and Truett McConnell University Programs. During his tenure with the agency, he served as the Clinical Chaplain at Phillips State Prison and statewide Clinical Chaplain. In 2024, he was promoted to Interim Statewide Director of Chaplaincy, where he currently serves. Before joining the department he served in various capacities, including Team Leader, People Group Evangelism and Associate Director Institutional Chaplaincy; North American Mission Board, Regional Chaplaincy Administrator, Southwest Region, Federal Bureau of Prisons;  Senior Chaplain, Federal Bureau of Prisons; Pastor, First Baptist Church, Burham, IL; Associate Pastor/Minister of Education, Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chicago, IL and Chaplain, Headquarters 33rd Infantry Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard. 

Dr. Ellis received his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a minor in Business Administration from Western Kentucky University. He earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry, both from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has extensive training in Clinical Pastoral Education and Critical Incident Stress Management, as well as training in Anger Management, Suicide Prevention and other counseling and chaplaincy techniques.

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About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising approximately 49,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.