The Chaplains Academy Staff and Leadership
The staff and leadership here at The Academy is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person we teach. If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them. Each member of our teaching team is highly experienced, credentialed, and dedicated to the craft of Christian Life Coaching in our student relationships.
Chaplain Dr. Mike Bartley DMin BCC SC CMCLC
Academy Director - Academic Dean
Email Academy@ChristianChaplains.org
Mike is a Board-Certified Chaplain, Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor Educator-Coach, and Certified Master Christian Life Coach with a passion for forming Christ-centered leaders. He serves as the Program Director and Dean of the Academy at Christian Chaplains & Coaching, where he leads curriculum design, faculty development, and pastoral training rooted in biblical truth and spiritual maturity. He has more than 30 years' experience in spiritual and pastoral care ministry as a Pastor and Chaplain, serving in hospitality ministry, church, prison, marketplace, hospice, and clinical chaplaincy.
In his role as a CPE Supervisor Educator-Coach, Mike cultivates growth environments where students are challenged to reflect theologically, listen deeply, and serve from a place of spiritual formation rather than performance. He brings together academic excellence, a pastoral heart, and practical ministry experience to raise up leaders who will provide faithful and effective pastoral care with humility, wisdom, and courage.
His purpose: "I exist to lead average lives into Abundant Living"
A life verse that fuels his ministry is:
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)
Chaplain Dr. James Kirkland DMin MTS BCC SC CMCLC
Founder and CEO of Christian Chaplains & Coaching
Email CEO@ChristianChaplains.org
Jim Kirkland holds a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Supervision from Christian Chaplains & Coaching, Chaplains Academy, and a Master of Theology from Moody Theological Seminary. He is an ordained pastor, a board-certified chaplain, certified master Christian life coach, and serves as a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, and Training Supervisor.
Jim brings more than 40 years of experience in executive leadership, along with over 30 years of experience in life coaching, chaplaincy, pastoral care, and ministry leadership. He has been happily married and deeply committed to his wife, Virginia, since 1978.
Jim has a deep faith in the saving power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ and is passionate about training, coaching, and equipping believers for effective, Gospel-centered ministry.
Chaplain Barry Surrat MATS BCC SC CMCLC
CPE Program Director
Email CPE@ChristianChaplains.org
A Favorite quote of mine...
“Think yourself empty, Read yourself full, Write yourself clear, Pray yourself keen.”
W.H. Griffith Thomas (1861-1924)
My passion in this season of my life is to develop the best methods for coaching student chaplains in the Art of Chaplaincy by equipping and mentoring novice chaplains with insightful training and the encouragement of unconditional positive regard, just as I was when I was a brand-new chaplain resident in Clinical Pastoral Education.
My goal is to tutor new chaplain candidates by providing a Christ-rooted philosophy in teaching, coaching, and honest and helpful assessments of their skills – particularly in these key areas:
- Teaching chaplains to practice a nonjudgmental presence.
- Coaching chaplains to realize that listening to understand is key to building relationships.
- Instructing chaplains to seek companionship with those suffering emotional and spiritual pain.
- Leaning into uncomfortable feelings and learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
- Helping chaplains to become more self-aware and use their story to inform their spiritual care.
I was introduced to spiritual care through the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) process, and this training transformed the way I viewed myself, allowing me the space to examine my deepest fears, wounds, and strengths. Through the efforts of faithful peers and challenges from my CPE Supervisors, along with the mentoring of staff chaplains and other medical staff, I discovered within myself a calling and a passion to walk with others who are wounded during the trials of life. The debt of gratitude I owe to everyone who encouraged, challenged, and cared for my soul can never be repaid, but it can be paid forward. This is my endeavor and goal for people I encounter as a CPE Supervisor Educator-Coach.
Chaplain Ann Marie Forrest BCAC
Academic Assistant
Email AcademicAssistant@ChristianChaplains.org
Ann-Marie is a Board Certified Associate Chaplain and enjoys learning and reading. She is married to her husband for over 38 years, and they have two adult children. She lives in New England and enjoys all 4 seasons that God provides. She received Chaplain ordination and completed Chaplain
certification process with Christian Chaplains & Coaching.
As Teaching Assistant, Ann-Marie assists the students and teachers in the Chaplains Academy and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). She enjoys being a certified Biblical Counselor and a mentor to women in her
community. Ann-Marie has been with Christian Chaplains & Coaching since 2020.
Chaplain Virginia Kirkland
Administrative Assistant
Email AdminAssist@ChristianChaplains.org
Virginia is happily married to Jim and enjoys living in Southern Georgia. They attend Flint Reformed Baptist Church and enjoy working together to serve our chaplains.
She is experienced with bookkeeping and administrative services, so supporting chaplain candidates
toward their goal of chaplaincy is a special joy. She serves as our bookkeeper, administrative assistant to our Executive Director, and takes care of enrolling our students and prospective students into their respective courses.