Bios

Kevin Ellers, D.Min.

Kevin recently retired in 2025 as the Territorial Disaster Services and Chaplaincy Director for The Salvation Army in the U.S.A. Central Territory after 30 years of service. He is the new president/CEO of Crisis Response Care which is not partnering with the Institute for Compassionate Care and RESET Life Coaching which is dedicated to equine assisted coaching for personal and professional growth and trauma healing, consultation, education and direct care. Kevin is the State Chaplain for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, serves as faculty for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and was an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University. He is the past chair of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee.  He has extensive training and experience in crisis response, disasters, chaplaincy, pastoral ministries, marriage and family therapy, and social services. As an author and speaker, Kevin teaches broadly on the aforementioned topics. He is author or co-author of: The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders; Four CISM courses: Grief Following Trauma; Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disasters; Spiritual and Psychological First Aid; Understanding Suicide: and Effective Tools for Prevention; and Stress, Compassion Fatigue and Resiliency. His newest workbook, Hope and Healing for Grief is a part of the new AACC Christian Counseling Workbook Series.

Jennifer Cisney Ellers M.A.

Jennifer is a professional counselor, life coach, crisis response trainer, author and speaker. She speaks extensively and provides training, counseling and coaching in the field of grief, crisis and trauma through the Institute for Compassionate Care. Jennifer is an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, teaching several CISM courses. In addition, she serves as Director of the Grief, Crisis and Disaster Network of the American Association of Christian Counselors and Clinical Director for the Crisis Response Team of the United States Concealed Carry Association. Jennifer is the co-author of The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders and Spiritual and Psychological First Aid, and Understanding Suicide: Effective Tools for Prevention, Intervention and Survivor Support.