Charles D. Elliott

Assistant Vice President for Development and Church Relations

Charles grew up in Charlotte, NC and is a graduate of Davidson College. He attended Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1978. Charles served pastorates in Pollocksville, NC, Chester, SC, and Carolina Beach, NC; and was Presbytery Executive, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer of Wilmington Presbytery. He joined the development staff of Thornwell Home for Children in 1992, and remained there three years before accepting the call to be General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Trinity Presbytery in 1995. Charles returned to Thornwell in January of 2004 and now serves as Assistant Vice President for Development and Church Relations.  He is active on the Committee on Ministry of Trinity Presbytery, and in June of 2007, was elected Moderator of the Synod of South Atlantic. Charles has been married to Caryl Kirkman, from Greensboro, NC since 1968. They have three beautiful daughters, three wonderful sons-in-law and four precious grandchildren.

 Charles is passionate about his work. He loves to tell Thornwell’s story and invite others to join in the mission to save the lives of children in the name of Christ:

“I find great joy in telling congregations and individuals of Thornwell’s remarkable history and its life-changing, life-saving work with children, and inviting them into partnership with us.  This ministry uniquely embodies the self-giving spirit of Christ in the way we care for the children and give them what they need without thought of payment or reward.  Our satisfaction lies in helping them to recover their childhood and to know the joy of being beloved children of God.” ~ Charles Elliott