Harold Aldridge
Fairview Heights,IL
Summary
Ordained minister with over 25 years of experience in preaching, teaching, pastoral counseling, and ministry leadership. Adept at guiding individuals and communities through spiritual and life transitions. Demonstrated capacity for grief care, program development, behavior management, and youth empowerment. Seminary-trained in counseling with extensive leadership in church, government, and educational settings. Experienced public speaker and trainer with a strong foundation in crisis communication and trauma-informed care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mentor / Support Staff
SIUE Charter High School
04.2025 - 05.2025
- Provided in-school suspension supervision, mentorship, and student discipline support
- Served as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the mentorship program environment.
- Enhanced mentee performance by providing personalized guidance and support.
- Served as role model for mentees by demonstrating strong values and ethical standards.
- Guided mentees in overcoming challenges by sharing personal experiences and offering practical advice.
- Assisted mentees in developing self-confidence and positive self-image.
- Assisted mentees in setting achievable goals and creating realistic action plans for personal and professional growth.
- Promoted a growth mindset among mentees, encouraging them to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Collaborated with teachers, counselors and administrators to foster access to resources and support.
- Developed trust-based relationships with mentees through active listening and empathetic communication.
- Championed diversity and inclusion within mentorship program, fostering welcoming environment for all participants.
Funeral Attendant & Grief Care Specialist
Officer Funeral Home
08.2021 - 01.2025
- Direct services, counsel grieving families, manage records and insurance documents
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Assist with funerals, transport remains, and officiate services as needed
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted families with funeral arrangements, ensuring compassionate support during difficult times.
- Engaged with bereaved families to gather necessary documentation and information for service planning.
- Collaborated with funeral directors to execute service details according to family wishes and cultural practices.
- Drove company vehicles to transport remains or families to services.
- Welcomed families and visitors into facility and guided into appropriate visitation rooms or chapel.
- Prepared facilities for funeral visitations and memorial services, arranging chairs and flower arrangements and setting up sign-in books and memorial cards.
- Set up flowers, opened and closed caskets and acted as pallbearer.
- Carried flowers to hearses or limousines for transportation to churches and places of internment.
- Transported caskets from morgue to reserved rooms to prepare caskets for viewing.
- Arranged floral tributes and lights around caskets in visitation rooms and chapels.
- Performed administrative duties by obtaining burial permits and doctors' signatures on death certificates and registering deaths.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of funeral home facilities to uphold professional standards.
Pastor
Mt. Zion Mission East M.B. Church
04.2019 - 06.2021
- Delivered engaging sermons, enhancing spiritual growth and community involvement.
- Led weekly prayer meetings, fostering deeper connections among congregation members.
- Preached weekly sermons; led worship and Bible study
- Provided pastoral care to congregants, ensuring emotional support during challenging times.
- Recruited and trained Sunday School teachers
- Provided counseling and spiritual care
- Managed finances, oversaw outreach, ordinances, and food distribution
- Collaborated with church leadership on strategic planning for future growth and outreach efforts.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Fostered a welcoming environment for newcomers by creating an inclusive culture within the church community.
- Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
Associate Minister
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, New Horizon Community Church, Mt. Nebo M.B. Church, Greater Faith Christian Church, Friendship M.B. Church
06.1996 - 04.2019
- Delivered impactful sermons and teachings to diverse congregations, fostering spiritual growth and community engagement.
- Taught Bible Study, led Sunday School, directed Christian education
- Conducted hospital visits, funerals, baptisms, and communion
- Ministered in prisons, nursing homes, and new member classes
- Supervised Vacation Bible School and music ministry
- Coordinated community outreach programs, enhancing church visibility and support for local needs.
- Evaluated ministry effectiveness through feedback mechanisms, driving continuous improvement in service delivery and engagement activities.
- Conducted funerals and memorial services with dignity and compassion while providing solace to grieving family members.
- Advised couples during premarital counseling sessions, helping them build strong foundations for their marriages.
- Collaborated with ministry team to plan and execute special events such as retreats and workshops, enriching the spiritual lives of participants.
Lead Transportation Security Officer / Trainer
TSA
09.2002 - 06.2017
- Led and trained officers in threat detection and public safety
- Authored national training on IED recognition and pat-down procedures
- Developed and delivered specialized field instruction adopted by TSA nationally
Site Leader, Heart of Our Community Program
Normandy School District
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Designed and led afterschool enrichment programs for up to 375 youth
- Mentored and counseled students and families; coordinated weekend retreats
- Supervised staff and vendors; built community partnerships
Education
Master of Divinity - Theological Studies
Eden Theological Seminary
Webster Groves, MO05-2021
Undergraduate Studies - General Studies
Belleville Area College; University of Arkansas At Pine Bluff; State Community College
Pine Bluff, AR01-1977
Skills
- Teaching
- Preaching
- Crisis response
- Mentoring support
- Pastoral counseling
- Pastoral care
- Program management and team oversight
- Public speaking proficiency
- Budget oversight
- Interfaith partnership
- Positive reinforcement
- Interpersonal communication
- Decision-making support
- Conflict resolution
Affiliations
- National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. (2004–present)
- General Baptist State Convention of Illinois Inc. (2004–present)
- New Salem Baptist District Association of Illinois (2004–present)
- Wood River Baptist District Association (1996–2006)
- World Baptist Alliance Delegate, Honolulu, HI (2010)
- Berean District Choir Member, St. Louis, MO (2004–2013)
Certification
- Ordained: Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, Madison, IL, 2000
- Licensed to Minister: Greater Faith Christian Church, Centerville, IL, 1998
Timeline
Mentor / Support Staff
SIUE Charter High School
04.2025 - 05.2025
Funeral Attendant & Grief Care Specialist
Officer Funeral Home
08.2021 - 01.2025
Pastor
Mt. Zion Mission East M.B. Church
04.2019 - 06.2021
Lead Transportation Security Officer / Trainer
TSA
09.2002 - 06.2017
Site Leader, Heart of Our Community Program
Normandy School District
01.1999 - 01.2002
Associate Minister
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, New Horizon Community Church, Mt. Nebo M.B. Church, Greater Faith Christian Church, Friendship M.B. Church
06.1996 - 04.2019
Master of Divinity - Theological Studies
Eden Theological Seminary
Undergraduate Studies - General Studies
Belleville Area College; University of Arkansas At Pine Bluff; State Community College
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