Ezekiel Ministries announces departure of founding Executive Director Josh Whitlock
May 20, 2025
The Ezekiel Ministries Board of Directors announces the upcoming departure of founding Executive Director Josh Whitlock, who will step down from his role on June 9. Whitlock has faithfully led the organization since its inception in 2009. As Josh prepares to take the next step in ministry—serving as a Strategic Ministry Partner at Emmaus Road Partners—he does so with the full support and blessing of the Ezekiel Ministries Board of Directors and staff. His leadership, vision, and deep commitment to serving children and families have left an indelible mark on the organization and the communities it serves.
Over the past 15 years, Josh Whitlock has been a tireless advocate for children and families in the Midlands. Under his leadership, Ezekiel Ministries grew from a small, church service project in a rough neighborhood into a multi-site, community-centered nonprofit that provides after-school programs and one-to-one mentoring to hundreds of youth in the Midlands through vibrant partnerships with dozens of local churches.
True to the heart of the ministry, Josh still maintains his greatest accomplishment rests in the two boys he began mentoring over 15 years ago; he is proudest to have consistently showed up for two young men who have now become like family members. “Watching them grow into fine young men and helping provide a way for other kids to also experience the same thing is an honor I will always treasure,” said Whitlock.
Josh has been instrumental in launching EZE Mentoring, EZE After-School, expanding partnerships with local churches, and creating spaces where kids feel known, loved, and supported. Hundreds of members of the local church have developed meaningful relationships with communities in the Midlands. “We’ve built a team that is exceptional at helping kids get mentors,” Josh said. “I took small steps of faith and God has shown up in big ways through hundreds of people who also took small steps of faith.”
“Josh’s vision and commitment to loving kids from hard places has shaped everything Ezekiel Ministries stands for,” said Casey Goodrich], Board Chair of Ezekiel Ministries. “We are incredibly grateful for his leadership and the legacy he leaves behind. We look forward to enhancing and building upon the incredible standard that Josh has set for Ezekiel Ministries for years to come.”
The Board of Directors has concluded its comprehensive search for a new Executive Director to build on this strong foundation and shepherd the ministry into its next season of growth and impact. In the coming weeks, an announcement will be made about the newly appointed Executive Director.
For more information, visit www.ezeministries.org or contact William Baker at [email protected] or 803-888-5030.
About Ezekiel Ministries
Ezekiel Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, mentors kids from hard places in partnership with local churches. The organization connects children with safe, loving adults from local churches through its one-to-one mentoring and site-based mentoring programs. Learn more at ezeministries.org.
