Carlton Gooding Executive Director
(Baptist)
Carlton Gooding joined Yokefellow Prison Ministry of N.C., Inc. in October 2017 as Yokefellow’s State Developer and was promoted to Executive Director in July 2021. Carlton was raised in a Christian, Bible-centered home in Kinston, North Carolina. His parents were simple, hard working people who focused their lives on worship and service to God and His church. His mother’s patience and his father’s steadfastness in the Christian faith, along with other devout teachers and people who nurtured him in the Christian faith, helped set the path for his own life and ministry.
When Carlton responded to Christ’s invitation in a personal way, he was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Kinston, North Carolina, where his faith was nurtured, and he later sensed a calling to ordained ministry as his life’s vocation. His family and church have always had a profound influence on his life. The things He treasures most are the love of his own family, his wife and six children, the ministry, and the pastoral care God has called him to within the church.
Out of his love of family, including the family of God, his desire is to continue in ministry beyond his 25 years of experience as a Chaplain, Retired, (LTC) in the Army Reserve Component, 20+ years of experience as a Federal Prison Chaplain, in 5 different institutions throughout the United States and pastoring in NC, WVU, and MD. His desire is to continue serving God in ministry, using his spiritual gifts and diverse ministry experiences to nurture others in God’s care.
He loves God’s Word and God’s people, wherever they may be in life’s circumstances, and is grateful to serve in this capacity, yoked with other believers in Christ. Contact Carlton Gooding at cgooding@yokefellowprisonministry.org or 336-740-0392.
Executive Committee
Twyla Philyaw
President
(Non-Denominational)
Twyla Philyaw joined the Yokefellow Prison Ministry Board of Directors in July 2022. A lifelong Christian, Twyla has a love for music ministry and says that “Christ and music have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.” Twyla has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and had a variety of professional jobs ranging from Receptionist, Secretary, Food Server, Assistant Restaurant Manager, and 30 years with the North Carolina Department of Corrections/ Department of Public Safety. Twyla learned of Yokefellow Prison Ministry through her time as a prison administrator and wanted to continue her ministry to North Carolina inmates through Yokefellow Prison Ministry following her retirement with DPS. Twyla says that “seeking God and knowing His promises should be the desire of all Christians btu, sometimes, it is simply the ‘small quiet voice’ as God calls on us to be His voice to others.” This is Twyla’s vision for her service with the Yokefellow Prison Ministry – working with other volunteers quietly and gently demonstrating the Good News of complete and full forgiveness that only a loving God can give.
Steve Couch
Vice President
(Baptist)
Steve Couch is a Durham native and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University with a degree in Industrial Technology. After graduation, Steve joined his mom and dad, Carlton and Margaret Couch, in their family oil business. He is a lifelong member of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Durham and is involved with their thriving prison ministry with Orange County Correctional Facility. When he’s not hard at work, Steve enjoys Bible teaching, sports, music, mission trips, the mountains, cats, and church life.
Gary Cagle
Treasurer
(United Methodist)
Gary Cagle is a banker with Fidelity Bank in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Originally from Lexington, NC, Gary is a graduate of Wake Forest University where he majored in analytical finance with a minor in communication. He spent four years with Fidelity Bank in the Raleigh area before returning to the Triad in 2008 as Vice President and Business Development Officer in Winston-Salem.
With Fidelity Bank, Gary enjoys serving the local business community as a commercial banker with a primary focus on commercial real estate lending. In addition to Yokefellow, he is active in the community through the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, commercial real estate organizations, the Winston-Salem Home Builders Association, Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, and as a coach for Twin City Youth Soccer.
Gary joined Yokefellow Prison Ministry of North Carolina in early 2015 as Treasurer and has served in that capacity since that time.
Pastor Kelvin Sellers Secretary
(Non-denominational)
Pastor Kelvin Sellers is the pastor of A Second Chance Community Church in High Point. He is also the Local Coordinator for the High Point Yokefellow Aftercare program.
Ken Ripley
Appointed Member
(United Methodist)
Ken Ripley joined the Board of Directors in 1992 because of his interest with prison ministry and involvement at Nash Correctional Institution. He is the Editor Publisher Emeritus of the Spring Hope Enterprise, having retired after 43 years. He is also a certified lay minister in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and serves on the Restorative Justice and Mercy Commission (RJAMM).
David Morton
Past President
(Baptist)