Chp. Gary Evans, M.Ed., Litt.D.; F.A.A.E.T.S., B.C.E.T.S.; C.A.T.S.M.; N.R.E.M.R.
Credentials:
-Ecclesiastical ordination & endorsed chaplaincy certificates
-Fellow & Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress - Diplomate
-Certified in Acute Traumatic Stress Management
-Pastoral and Individual Crisis Intervention Approved Trainer
-Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainer & Program Manager
Credentialing entities:
-General Council of the Assemblies of God
-International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
-American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
-National Center for Crisis Management
Biography:
Reverend Gary Evans has been in ministry since 1978 and received his ministerial ordination in 1984. He has served in various pastorates and as a pastoral counselor. In 1994, he additionally received ecclesiastical endorsement as an emergency services, healthcare, and crisis chaplain.
Chp. Evans has earned Bachelor and Master Degrees, a Ministerial Diploma, and has been awarded an honorary doctorate. He has certificates in basic and advanced group Critical Incident Stress Management, basic and advanced Pastoral Crisis Intervention, Individual Crisis Intervention/Peer Support, and is a trainer in Pastoral and Individual Crisis Interventions.
Chp. Evans has earned the Fellow and Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress – Diplomate and the Certification in Acute Traumatic Stress Management from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress/National Center for Crisis Management. He has recently become a certified Emergency Medical Responder.
Chp. Evans’ crisis management experience has included involvement with various police, fire, and emergency medical services agencies from which he has received numerous decorations. He has also been a Critical Incident Stress Management Team member, trainer, and group debriefer as well as a hospice and corporate regional chaplain.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and the flight 587 crash in New York on November 12, 2001, Chp. Evans was called to join the American Airlines Crisis Management Team at JFK International Airport to conduct group and individual crisis interventions for pilots and flight crews. For his service, he was awarded American Airlines’ “Alabaster Eagle”, the highest award given to an employee. He has been deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi to provide Critical Incident Stress Management services in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. He also responded to the Virginia Tech massacre to assist students in crisis and provide student peer support training. Chp. Evans was called to the southern California wildfires as a chaplain, crisis intervention trainer and traumatic services specialist.
Chp. Evans’ career instructional experiences include teaching in junior high, senior high, and college while also serving as a department chair. He has taught corporate stress and anger management in continuing adult education courses. He has also been a certified police instructor in career influences, stress management, and methods of instruction.
Chp. Evans currently serves in several capacities including: Heartland Hospice spiritual care coordinator, PA State Police southwestern region chaplain coordinator and crisis team debriefer, Penn Hills Fire District crisis chaplain, and Christ in Action faith-based first-responder trainer and consultant.
Chp. Evans presents around the country as a crisis intervention clinician, crisis and life management lecturer, and consultant. He is married, has three children, and four grandchildren.