Spiritual Life Council - Coastal Carolina University
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Spiritual Life Council

The Spiritual Life Council seeks to positively impact the campus community by nurturing hope, peace, joy, and resolve while encouraging spiritual growth in an ecumenical and caring environment. We are available to support those in the CCU family including students, faculty, staff, and parents.

What does the Spiritual Life Council do?

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  • Provides interfaith, inter-religious and emotional support through care, compassion, and conversation
  • Participates in programs on campus at the request of students, faculty or administration
  • Assists with and respond to crisis as needed
  • Provides spiritual counseling
  • Encourages spiritual development through outreach within the community

Spiritual Life Council Members

Rev. Mark Burlinson
Catch The Fire Myrtle Beach  |  843-246-0094  mburlinso@coastal.edu | catchthefiremyrtlebeach.com/

Mark and his wife Jane are lead pastors of Catch The Fire Myrtle Beach, a church family that prioritizes God’s presence over programs with the goal that each person discovers and develops their God-given destiny. The couple has raised three college-age sons, loves to help students succeed, and encourages leaders to grow. He is originally from England and came to Conway in 2002 via Toronto, Canada. In addition to master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology, he has a bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of London and has just started working on his doctorate.

picture of Emily KirbyRev. Emily Kirby
The United Methodist Church  |  678-327-3965  |  ekirby@coastal.edu | ccuwesley.org/

Emily serves as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church Conway and the campus pastor for the Coastal Wesley Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, with a certificate in Religious Education. A native of the Metro-Atlanta area, she has been involved in multiple ministry settings including disaster recovery, Christian education, youth ministry, and local church leadership. Her heart is with college ministry and continuing to empower personal awareness of individuals' gifts and graces, leading to a fulfilled and faithful life. Her interests are boating, camping, bike riding, cheering on the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and being outdoors with her husband and son as much as possible! She loves working with the CCU community and is excited about the continued development of this wonderful campus.   

Rev. David Neace
Waccamaw Baptist Association  |  843-248-9358  |  dneace@coastal.edu | coastalbcm.org/

David serves as the Baptist Collegiate Minister for the Waccamaw Baptist Association (WBA). He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Rev. Neace has served students at Coastal Carolina since the end of 2013. Prior to serving with the WBA, he served students at Anderson University for four years.  Neace and his wife along with their two kids are members of Palmetto Shores Church, and during his time off, he enjoys traveling and playing golf.

Rabbi Avi Perets, Chaplain Council, imageRabbi Avraham “Avi” Perets
Temple Emanu-El  |  843-449-5552  |  aperets@coastal.edu | emanuelnyc.org/

Rabbi Avraham “Avi” Perets joined Temple Emanu-El 16 years ago, bringing his lovely wife, Mira, and their three children, Ron, Matan and Eden. He was born in Israel and attended school in both the United States and Israel. He has earned numerous degrees in his study and the congregation of Temple Emanu-El is fortunate to have a leader whose abilities and vision is surpassed only by his dedication, quick wit and love of Judaism. His educational background includes: Maimonides University Rabbinical School, rabbinical ordination; University of North Florida (UNF), master's degree in educational leadership; *Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus Jerusalem, Israel, B.A. in philosophy and concentration in history, political science, and Jewish philosophy.

Associate Spiritual Life Council Members

 

Josh Finklea | 843-516-2200 | jfinklea@coastal.edu | rock.c3.com

 

 

 

Cierra Ketchel | 843-224-3108 | cketchel@coastal.edu | www.ivcarolinas.com/coastalcarolina-contact

 

 

 

John Morello | jmorello@coastal.edu | https://www.facebook.com/ChantFCA/

 

 

 

Jordan Schiffmacher | 910-315-8908 | jshiffma@coastal.edu | grandstrand.younglife.org/