Chaplain Neal Brown was raised in Cedartown, GA, where he graduated from Cedartown High School. He worked in a cabinet shop, a pallet shop, and in the insurance business, before going into the ministry full-time. Neal graduated from Seminary in 1990. He served 3 churches as their Pastor before retiring in August of 2023.

Neal became the Chaplain of the Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Police Department in November of 1999. Then, in 2020 when the merger of Catoosa County Fire and Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Rescue happened, Neal became the Chaplain for the Catoosa County Fire Department. Neal has also been an EMT since 2002.

In 2003, the Southern Cross Ministries was started, as a non-profit, to provide Chaplain services to Emergency Services Personnel in Catoosa and Walker County. Neal currently serves as the Board Chairman for the Georgia Association of law Enforcement Chaplains, and has served as the Training Coordinator for the group for over 10 years.

"I enjoy woodworking, reading, working in the yard, and doing chaplaincy. 

I married my High School sweetheart, Cathy, in March of 1978. We have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, 1 granddaughter, and 6 grandsons. We live in the Boynton community of Catoosa County."

Contact Information:

Email: nealbrown909@gmail.com

Phone: (423) 802-2539

Chaplain Steve Brandon has lived in the local area since he was born, in September of 1949. He attended Boynton Elementary, Ringgold Junior High and Ringgold High School. Steve was drafted into the Army in 1969 and stayed until May of 1971. He started in the ministry in 1972, pastored several churches, and landed at Faith Baptist Tabernacle in Flintstone, GA, where he is now the Pastor. 

Steve was the previous owner of Chattanooga Plumbing and Battlefield Plumbing for 47 years. Once they sold, he stayed on as an employee and still works there. Steve joined the Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Chaplains in 2008 and is now on the board, as well as, an active Chaplain. 

Steve Brandon joined the Post Volunteer Fire Department in 2002 to be with his son, Michael, who was an Explorer at the time. Shortly after that, he joined the Southern Cross Ministries, who provides Chaplain services to Emergency Personnel in Catoosa and Walker County. When the merger of the Catoosa County Fire and Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Rescue took place, in January of 2020, Steve joined the Catoosa County Fire Department. He still serves in Support and as a Chaplain. 

"I married Shirley Hooper in December, after High School, in 1967. We have 2 children together; A daughter, Candace (Candy), and a son, Michael."