JAMES “JIM” BURNS, PhD
6798 FM 995, Atlanta, TX 75551
Phone: (318) 419-7278 Email: chaplainjim413@gmail.com
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Career Summary- Pastor/Public Safety Chaplain
Extensive experience working with people of varied personality types and temperaments; Self-motivated; proven interpersonal communications, multi-task management, and leadership skills; strong organization and management skills. Created and implemented hundreds of educational and training programs, and operational manuals. Organized and developed several non-profit corporations; served on more than 35 boards and committees on the local, state, regional and national level;.authored and published numerous articles, promotional materials; co-authored and produced a play that performed to an international audience for 15 years, authored several e-books – Weathering the Storms of life; What the heck is a Fire Chaplain; Jim’s Ramblings; Insights into Basic Christian Theology; a short story – Living a Life that Counts, and others.
Work Experience
Command Chaplain (CEO), Louisiana Fire Chaplaincy Network 2011 – 2019
Department Chaplain, Rapides Fire District 2, Alexandria, LA (volunteer) 2018 – 2019
Department Chaplain, Ruston Fire Department, Ruston, LA (volunteer) 2018 – 2018
Pastor, Liberty Christian Church, Colfax, LA (bi-vocational pastor) 2012 – 2013
Director of Regions – US, Canada & International Regions – FFC 2008 – 2015
Regional Director – Great Lakes Region – FFC (IL, IN, OH, MI, WI) 2005 – 2008
Director, Great Lakes Fire Chaplain & CISM Training Institute, Indianapolis, IN 2005 – 2009
Pastor, His Place Church, New Palestine IN 1999 – 2008
Public Safety Chaplain, Sugar Creek Fire, New Pal Police & Hancock County Sheriff 2001 – 2008
Executive Director/Producer, Louisiana Passion Play, Ruston LA 1984 – 1999
Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Calhoun, LA 1981 – 1988
Assoc. Pastor, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA 1974 – 1981
Pastor, Martin Baptist Church, Coushatta, LA 1973 – 1974
Pastor, Fort Jessup Baptist Church, Many, LA 1971 – 1973
Several part-time bi-vocational pastorates – Oak Grove, La Camp, LA, 63-65; Davis Crossing, Glenmora LA, 65-66; Pisgah, Clifton LA, 67-69; Kisatchie, Kisatchie LA, 69-71. Grew up on a farm and in a retail business. Worked at several part-time and short-term jobs – data processing control supervisor; supply clerk; warehouseman; construction worker; insurance sales; auto sales; motel night auditor, hardware store clerk, and 35 years as a public safety chaplain.
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Education and Training
Earned Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy and Master of Fire Chaplain Certificates and Master Level IV Trainer Certificate, Federation of Fire Chaplains Training Institute, Ft. Worth, TX; Basics of Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Certificate, International Conference of Police Chaplains; Graduated Basic and Firefighter 1/II Certification, State of Indiana Public Safety Training Institute, Indianapolis, IN; Earned CISM –Group & Individual Intervention, Pastoral Crisis Intervention I & II, and Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Certificates, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Ellicott City, MD; Earned degrees in Biblical Studies (BBS, MB), Theology (Th.M.), Church Admin & Pastoral Ministries (PhD), International Seminary, Plymouth, FL; Did Pre-Ministerial Studies, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA Studied Business, North Alabama College of Commerce; Huntsville, AL; Earned a Diploma, Art & Science of Investigation, Global School of Investigation, North Hampton, MA; earned Residential Housing Inspection Certificate, CRHI Institute; Clinical Hypnotherapy Diploma, Hypnotism Training Institute of Arkansas; Continuing education in board/trustee development, non-profit management, public sector marketing, church growth, grief counseling, emergency management, disaster relief, weapons of mass destruction and anti-terrorism, earned 14 certifications through the Emergency Management Institute of FEMA
Memberships and Biographical Listings
Life member, International Association of Counselors and Therapists
Life member, Global International Investigators Association
Life Member, Indiana Fire Chaplain Corp
Member, Federation of Fire Chaplains
Honorary Member, Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network
Past Member, Indiana & Louisiana Fire Chiefs Associations
Past Supporting Member, Professional Firefighters Association
Past Honorary Member, Indiana & Louisiana Sheriffs’ Associations
Group Member, Pastoral and Spiritual Care Group; Critical Incident Stress Caregivers;
Public Safety Professionals; Emergency Services Chaplains; Crisis Chaplains group.
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Who’s Who in Religion 1976 and 1978 editions
Dictionary of International Biography 1976, 1977, 1978 editions
Personalities of the South 1976 edition
Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans 1977 edition
Achievers International 1979, 1980 editions
Who’s Who in Training and Development 1990 edition
Heritage Registry of Who’s Who 2005-2006 edition
Metropolitan Who’s Who 2007 edition
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Recognitions and Commendations
Top 25 Award (Training Lay workers), Louisiana Baptist. Convention 1972
Outstanding Rural Pastor, Louisiana Baptist Convention 1973
Outstanding Leadership and Service, Drew Elementary PTA 1977
Outstanding Achievement Award, Achievers International 1981
Pyramid to Success Award, PAYS International 1981
Liberty and Justice Award of Merit, National Association of Chiefs of Police 1986
Order of the Pelican, Louisiana Tourism Development Commission 1987
Honorary State Senator and Honorary State Representative, LA Legislature 1989
KNOE Good Guys Award for Community Service, KNOE Radio and TV 1989
Outstanding Leadership and Guidance Award, Louisiana Passion Play 2000
Most Valuable Pastor, His Place Church – New Palestine, IN 2003
Letter of Appreciation for devotion to department, Chief, SCFD 2004
Appreciation for Katrina/Rita Relief Effort, American Red Cross, NELA 2005
Commendation for Hurricane Relief, Federations of Fire Chaplains 2006
Commendation for Distinguished Leadership & Service, IN Fire Chap. Corps 2008
Founders Award, Federation of Fire Chaplains 2009
Commendation for Distinguished Service, Federation of Fire Chaplains 2010
Certificate of Appreciation for Service and Response to DR533 Floods ARC 2011
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Personal and Family Life
Married to Susan [Elmore] Burns, BA, MA, M Ed (retired); two sons: James C. Burns, President, Mobile Mechanical Services, Inc., Mobile AL; William J. Burns, Maintenance Superintendent, Highway Graphics, West Monroe LA; three step daughters: Heather Stuart, underwriter, State Farm Insurance, Dallas, TX; Jill Crocker, President, Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, TX and business owner, Bivins, TX; Liza Richardson, Vehicle License issuer, Atlanta, TX; seven grandchildren: Kirsten Toussaint (teacher), Sawyer Burns (Navy), Hunter Burns (Navy), Ashton Burns (retail sales), Conner Crocker (Navy), Faith Crocker (Air Force Reserves) and Kylie Burns (college student), six great grandchildren, Whyatt, Octavia, Axl, Phoenix, Oaklie, Mirabelle; a dog, Miss Dolly, two cats, Frances, and Zeb.
Additional Services to the Community
Board of Directors, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (3-year term) 1 term
Founding Board of Directors and Treasurer, Louisiana Association of Attractions (3-year term) 2 terms
Founding Board of Directors, North Louisiana Creative Arts, Inc. (3-year term) 4 terms
Founding Board of Directors, Okaloosa Baptist Encampment (3year term) 2 terms
Treasurer, Okaloosa Baptist Encampment (1-year term) 3 terms
Board of Directors, Clara Springs Baptist Camp (3-year term) 2 terms
Board of Directors/Secretary-Treasurer, International Society of Christian Ministries (3-year terms)
Board of Directors/ President, Calhoun Water System, Inc. (3year term) 1 term
Board of Advisors, Piney Hills Home Health, Inc. (1-year term) 2 terms
Governmental Affairs Committee, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (1-year term) 2 terms
Marketing Committee, Piney Hills Tourism Promotion Association (1-year term) 1 term
District Membership Director, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (1-year term) 1 term
Member, Northeast Louisiana Film Advisory Board (3-year term) 1 term
Business and Industry Development Committee, W. M. Chamber of Commerce (1-year term) 1 term
BSU Committee, Northwestern State University, District 8, (3-year term) 2 terms
Church Training Director, Sabine-North Sabine Association, (1-year term) 2 terms
RA Camp Director, Clara Springs Baptist Camp (1year term) 3 terms
RA Camp Director, Okaloosa Baptist Encampment (1- year term) 3 terms
President, Drew Elementary PTA (1year term) 1 term
US 52 Streetscape Steering Committee, Town of New Palestine, IN 1 term
Formation Steering Committee, Love Inc. of Greater Hancock County, Indiana 1 term
Formation Committee, Fellowship of Christian Firefighters of Greater Hancock County 1 term
Facilitator, New Palestine Area Grief Share Support Group 2002-2008
In-Prison-Visitor, leading Bible studies, Hancock County Jail 2001-2005
Formation Committee, Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps 2005
President, Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps, Inc. (1 year term) 2 terms
Disaster Response/Training Coordinator, Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps 1 term
Secretary-Treasurer, Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps, Inc. (1 year term) ½ term Regional Director, Great Lakes Region of Federation of Fire Chaplains 2005- 2008
Director, Great Lakes Region Fire Chaplain & CISM Training Institute (WI, MI, IL, IN, OH) 2005- 2009
Master Trainer, Federation of Fire Chaplains International Training Institute 2006-present
Guest Instructor, Fire Chaplain Training Program, Mississippi State Fire Academy 2007
Guest Instructor, Fire Chaplaincy, LSU Fire & Emergency Training Institute, Baton Rouge, LA 2010
Guest Instructor, Great Lakes Fire Chaplain Institute, Indianapolis, IN 2009-2010
Guest Instructor, South-Central Fire Chaplain Institute, D/FW, 2010
Volunteer, Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disasters Team, CenLa American Red Cross 2010-2013
Volunteer Disaster Action Team Member for Grant Parish, CenLa American Red Cross 2010-2013
Chair, Host Committee, 33rd Annual Conference, Federation of Fire Chaplains 2010-2011
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, LSU FETI, Baton Rouge, LA 2014
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Caddo Fire Dist.# 4, Keithville, LA 2014
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Vernon Parish FD 1 Chaplain Corps, Leesville, LA 2014
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Ruston Fire Department, Ruston, LA 2015
Instructor/Mentor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Montegut VFD, Montegut, LA 2015
Instructor, Disaster Response for Chaplains (FFC Advanced class) Alexandria, LA 2015
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Ruston Fire Department, Ruston, LA 2016
Instructor, Grief Work – process from loss to acceptance, Ruston, Alexandria, Baton Rouge LA 2016
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Ruston Fire Department, Ruston, LA 2017
Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Ruston Fire Department, Ruston, LA 2018
Co-Instructor, Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy, Ruston FD, Ruston, LA 2019
References
James (Jim) Cook, Jr., President, Federation of Fire Chaplains
809 Oak Valley Parkway 951-743-8817
Beaumont, CA 92223 jamesescookjr@verison.net
Rev. Larry Cormier, TLC Ministries 318-788-1774
P. O. Box 261 larrycomier@cox.net
Crowley, LA 70527-0261
Robert F. Rehfus, Fire Chief (Retired SCFD) 317-861-0782
11343 S. Heron Drive W.
New Palestine IN 46163
John Begovich, Fire Chief, (Retired SCFD)
3545 S. 600 W. 317- 508-6294 Cell
New Palestine, IN 46163 jbegovich@sugarcreektwp.com
Randy McCain, Fire Chief (Retired) Rapides Fire District 2 318-201-1847
220 Hudson Creek Road
Colfax, LA 71417
Chris Womack, Fire Chief, Ruston Fire Department 318-245-0048
Tommie Woods, Assist. Chief, Ruston FD (Retired) 318-278-3163
920 E. Georgia Avenue cwomack@ruston.org
Ruston, LA 71270 twoods@ruston.org
Mr. David Daringer, His Place Church (Trustee) 317-462-9722
2772 W. 100 S. 317-694-0237
Greenfield, IN 46140 double_daringer@comcast.net
Carl W. Coffey, Sr. Past- President. Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps 317-448-6987
10114 Apple Spice Dr. coffecy_carl@yahoo.com
Indianapolis, IN 46235
Fred Mercuro, Jr. Manager, Grant Hardware 318-627-3430
612 Main Street fmjr0510@joecoon
Colfax, LA 71417
Michael L. Kuk, PhD, Board Member, LA Fire Chaplaincy 318-379-8466
341 Ross Rd ss1mlk@hotmail.com
Anacoco, LA 71409
Other references available upon request
Updated 072622