EQUIP Network Staff

AL JAMES

EQUIP Network Coordinator
Serving Southeastern since 2002

EDUCATION

B.S., Blue Mountain College
M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

BIO

Dr. Al James began serving as the EQUIP Network Coordinator in August 2017. Dr. James also serves SEBTS as the Associate Dean of Ministry Studies and as a Professor of Missions. Originally from Jesup, GA, Dr. James served with the International Mission Board for 10 years in India and the Philippines. He came back from the field in 2001 to teach missions here at SEBTS. In addition to his various roles here at the seminary, he also serves as Pastor at Hales Chapel Baptist Church in Zebulon, NC as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Dr. James is married to Cathy, has four children, and six grandchildren. He enjoys dating his wife, spending time engaging in his children’s’ sports endeavors, and reading.

CONTACT
ajames@sebts.edu
919.761.2460

Ben Alain

Special Assistant to the EQUIP Network Coordinator
Serving Southeastern since 2018

EDUCATION

B.s. Business Management, Louisiana State University
Pursuing M.Div. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

BIO

Ben Alain began serving churches through EQUIP as the Special Assistant to the EQUIP Network Coordinator in July 2018. Before stepping into this role he served as a Student and Worship Pastor in Eastern North Carolina. Ben has a passion for helping and encouraging local churches in their efforts at creating disciplemaking cultures. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry, and desires to enter pastoral ministry once again. Ben and his wife Ashley love being a part of the life of their local church as they both work towards degrees.

CONTACT
balain@sebts.edu 
919.761.2465

Colleen Hall

Administrative Assistant to the EQUIP Network Coordinator
Serving Southeastern since 2020

EDUCATION

B.A. Health and Human Kinetics, Ohio Wesleyan University

M.A. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Ohio Dominican University

Pursuing M.A. Intercultural Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

BIO

Colleen Hall began serving as the Administrative Assistant to the EQUIP Network in the spring of 2020. Before coming to Southeastern, she served a two-year Journeyman term in Southeast Asia. Colleen is a member of North Wake Church and is currently pursuing a Masters of Intercultural Studies at Southeastern to learn to better serve in an international context.

CONTACT
chall@sebts.edu

919.761.2460

Matthew Hirt

Special Assistant for New Partner Development
Serving Southeastern since 2020

EDUCATION

M.Div, International Church Planting, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Ph.D. (Dec. 2020), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

BIO

Matthew Hirt began serving with the EQUIP Network team in the fall of 2020. Prior to this position he served in local churches in Indiana and North Carolina. He also served with the International Mission Board in South Asia. Matthew is passionate about making disciples and equipping others to make disciples both in their current context and wherever the Lord may lead them around the world. He is completing a Ph.D. in International Missions, and he and his wife Heather intend to return overseas where they will continue to multiply disciples through personal discipleship efforts and theological education.

CONTACT
mhirt@sebts.edu

919.761.2136