Pastor Charles Dudley named new board chair and president for Habitat for Humanity of Craven County

The new fiscal year has brought a number of changes to Habitat for Humanity of Craven County’s Board of Directors, with Pastor Charles Dudley stepping into the role of board chair and president following the departure of Rose MacNeal, whose term ended on June 30.  

MacNeal will continue to serve as an advisory director and as chair of the Homeowner Support Committee while also participating in build sites, events, and assisting “wherever support is needed.”

“I extend my sincere congratulations to the newly elected officers of the board of directors, including the newly appointed chair and president, Pastor Charles Dudley. It has been a privilege to serve on the board these past six years, and I greatly value my association with the Habitat family in Craven County,” MacNeal stated. “Although my leadership responsibilities are changing, my dedication to Habitat remains unwavering.”

A native of Louisville, Ky., Dudley is the Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Ministry of Faith in Havelock, which he and his wife, Marion, founded in 2002. Prior to his work in the church, Dudley served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1989 he got his first assignment at MCAS Cherry Point to the 3rd Light Amphibious Assault Battalion and would go on to serve during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. 

Dudley first became affiliated with Habitat for Humanity when he was stationed at Cherry Point and volunteered to take part in a home build for a Carteret County family. 

“A few Marines and a bunch of college students as part of the Collegiate Challenge week worked 24 hours a day. That family, a mom and a dad, they had five kids and one of the kids had a hearing disability,” Dudley recalled. “To be able to build that home and watch the community come together changed my life. I said ‘Man, this is the way the world should work.’”

Dudley previously served as a HFHCC board member and volunteer. He has also lent his time and talents to a variety of other boards for organizations throughout Craven and Carteret counties, including Coastal Community Action, the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, and the Craven Community College Foundation Board.

In 2024, Dudley ran for NC Senate District 3, which includes Craven, Beaufort, and Lenoir counties, and plans on making another run for the seat in 2026. 

Dudley praised the efforts of his predecessor MacNeal and said he plans to hit the ground running “to make sure what we’re doing we can continue to do long term.”

“Nobody really wants to step in to take over from somebody who is already doing an amazing job. I just have so much respect for Rose (MacNeal). But because I had been serving on other boards I understand the importance of keeping the ball rolling," Dudley said. "And we’ve got several members on our board who have been on for just over a year so we’re going to be working on mentoring them and making sure they get the training they need."

Other changes to the HFHCC Board of Directors going into the new fiscal year include Lisa Lloyd stepping up from the board secretary position to the role of vice president and Bryna Coonin taking over as board secretary. Dick Peebles will remain as board treasurer. 

The HFHCC Board of Directors provides oversight and guidance for the affiliate, while the executive director handles the day-to-day operations and execution of Habitat’s mission.

Dudley said he sees his role as providing guidance, leadership and direction for the affiliate.

“It comes down to community relations, finding out who else in the community does what we do and being able to work together,” he said. ”I see my responsibility as maintaining those relationships, building new relationships, and just changing people’s lives.”

Habitat for Humanity of Craven County was established in 1989 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit Christian housing ministry. Over the last 35 years, HFHCC has helped build homes for more than 80 local residents, providing safe and stable living environments for adults and their children. 

To learn more, visit www.cravencountyhabitat.org.