R.C. Freedom Ministries, Inc.
"Excellence in Ministry Through Education"
Executive Director, CPE Director
President of R.C.F.M., Inc.
Reverend Carolyn J. Barksdale is a native of Waco, Texas. She is an Overseer in the Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches and Ministries.
She is also a Founder and Executive Director of R.C. Freedom Ministries, Inc., a non-profit educational center, that provides Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Extended Clinical Pastoral Education to members of the community. She oversees ACPE Certified Educators and CPE groups at this center and she is also President of Carolyn Joyce Barksdale, Inc., a government contracting company.
Reverend Barksdale received a Master of Divinity Degree with a concentration in “Word and Sacrament” from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas in May 1998, was ordained to the Gospel Ministry, and received Ecclesiastical Endorsement for full-time chaplaincy that same year in June 1998. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Cum Laude) in May 1991 from Saint Leo College in Saint Leo, Florida where she concentrated her studies in the field of Sociology. She is a Practical Theology Doctoral Student at the Oblate School of Theology with a concentration in Spirituality in Ministry.
As CPE Director and ACPE Certified Educator, she assists clergy and laypersons in their ministerial formation and the integration of theory and practice for pastoral ministry. As a 20-year federal contract chaplain and educator, she served as Program Director of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, USAF CPE Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas where she trained United States Air Force chaplains from around the world each year in clinical pastoral/spiritual care in a one-year residency.
Reverend Barksdale served with her husband as Pastor, of R. C. Freedom Fellowship; Associate Pastor, of First Korean Presbyterian Church (English Congregation), and currently, Pastor of R. C. Freedom Ministries Serenity Chapel.
On August 1, 1994, she retired from the United States Air Force with twenty-three years of honorable service. She is married to The Reverend Dr. Ralph E. Barksdale, who is also retired from the United States Air Force. He currently serves as a jail chaplain; and they have two daughters, Candice and LaQuette.
Reverend Barksdale believes that life is a journey, and life is a process. Life is also a dance that impacts our movements throughout our journey. The one thing that gives us hope on our journey is that, wherever we are on our journey, our God who is “Lord of the Dance” will always be with us, joining us in the dance of life.
Dr. Ralph E. Barksdale is a native of Chatham Virginia. He is an Overseer in the Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches and Ministries.
He is a founder and President of R.C. Freedom Ministries, Inc. a non-profit educational resource center. Dr. Barksdale served as Pastor, of R. C. Freedom Fellowship; Associate Pastor, of First Korean Presbyterian Church (English Congregation), and currently, Pastor of R. C. Freedom Ministries Serenity Chapel.
He holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Psychology and MA degrees in Counseling, Human Resources, and Healthcare Administration from Webster University. Dr. Barksdale is the Chief Protestant Chaplain for Chrysalis Ministries. In this capacity, he coordinates, manages, and oversees ministries in twelve detention facilities. He ministers to over 4000 adults and 500 juvenile offenders each year.
Dr. Barksdale is a former Warden and Deputy Warden of Corrections, Counselor, and Probation/Parole Officer. He speaks often at retreats and workshops on issues with a focus on Youth, Singles, and Men.
On January 1, 1991, he retired from the United States Air Force with over twenty-one years of honorable service. He is married to Reverend Carolyn J. Brown and they are the proud parents of two children, Candice and LaQuette.
His wife Carolyn is also a chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Educator for the United States Air Force, and R.C. Freedom Ministries, Inc. Both Ralph and Carolyn have a combined total of 45 years total military service.
Dr. Barksdale is a current member of the National Association of Correctional Chaplains, the American Chaplain Association, and the National Urban League. He has the firm belief that the Church has the solution to society’s problems, and it is only when the Church goes out into society that we can reach our full potential as Christians.
