49 yrs
Continuous U.S. Fellowship
3,000+
Credentialed Ministers
4M+
Adherents
3–5 wks
Credentialing
What the National Division Is
Regional, state, and district leaders for U.S. ministers.
The National Division is AEGA's operational structure inside the United States. Regional leaders carry oversight across multi-state areas. State coordinators carry oversight inside each state. District leaders, area coordinators, and zone leaders carry the relational work at the city and congregation level. Departmental directors carry specific national assignments, including the National Director of AEGA Hispanic Churches and the National Area Coordinator Director. Together this structure keeps every credentialed minister inside reach of a covering leader, no matter where they pastor.
The AEGA National Division is the U.S.-focused side of AEGA Ministries International. It serves credentialed ministers, chartered churches, and endorsed chaplains located in any of the fifty states. Leadership flows from the Council of Bishops and the Departmental Directors through regional leaders to state coordinators, district leaders, area coordinators, and zone leaders. AEGA also has many area coordinators, zone leaders, and directors serving in the United States and other countries that are not publicly listed. The National Division is one of four AEGA divisions, alongside the Foreign Division, Women for Christ, and World Missions.
Who the National Division Serves
Six callings inside the U.S. fellowship.
The National Division serves senior pastors, associate ministers, church planters, Hispanic and bilingual ministers, U.S.-based chaplains, and ministers transferring credentials into AEGA. Each calling has a regional or state covering leader.
Senior pastors of AEGA-credentialed churches.
Lead pastors carrying ordination through AEGA and shepherding congregations across the United States. Regional and state leaders carry covering, counsel, and accountability through the long arc of pastoral ministry.
Associate ministers and staff pastors.
Licensed and ordained associates, youth pastors, worship pastors, and ministry staff serving inside AEGA-chartered or AEGA-affiliated congregations. The credential ladder runs from Ministerial Apprentice through Ordained Minister.
Church planters and bivocational pastors.
Ministers starting new works inside U.S. cities. AEGA's 501(c)(3) charter pathway pairs with regional coverage so new churches receive both the legal covering and the relational covering from day one.
Hispanic and bilingual ministers.
The National Director of AEGA Hispanic Churches, Rev. Abel Balli, Jr., carries oversight for Spanish-speaking and bilingual ministers and congregations across the U.S. Credentialing, fellowship, and conference participation run in language and context.
Chaplains serving in the United States.
Military, VA, federal prison, hospital, law enforcement, and civil-air-patrol chaplains carrying AEGA endorsement on U.S. soil. Regional and state leaders carry covering alongside the endorsement office in Monroe.
Ministers transferring credentials into AEGA.
Pastors and ministers moving from another fellowship or denomination into AEGA. Regional leaders and the Credential Committee walk the transfer through, usually within three to five weeks.
How Leadership Carries Across the Country
Monroe is the headquarters. The fellowship is everywhere.
AEGA's national office sits at 2149 Hwy 139 in Monroe, Louisiana. From that headquarters, the Council of Bishops and the Departmental Directors carry national-level oversight. Many of those bishops also pastor in their home states, which keeps the national leadership grounded in local-church reality. U.S.-based Presiding Bishops include Rev. Dr. Jack Ernest in Ohio, Rev. Dr. Jesse Guerrero in Texas, Rev. Dr. David Copeland in Alabama, Rev. Dr. Michael Atunrase in Pennsylvania, Rev. Dr. Ricky Martin in Alabama, Rev. Dr. Dale English in Louisiana, Rev. Dr. Jason Rodriquez in Texas, Rev. Dr. Ray Foy in Louisiana, and Rev. Dr. Lynn Burling in Texas. Regional and state leaders carry the day-to-day covering, visiting churches, sitting with pastors, walking through credential applications and charter questions, and hosting regional gatherings between annual conferences. Area coordinators and zone leaders carry the work into cities and clusters of cities.
Why AEGA in the U.S.
A covenant fellowship for the long career of U.S. ministry.
The same four pillars carry every credentialed minister across the country, from a small-town pastor in Louisiana to a church planter in Pennsylvania.
Covering.
Biblical, spiritual accountability through a regional or state leader. Where there is no accountability, there is no responsibility. Covering does not expire when a minister relocates to a new state.
Community.
Relational fellowship at the regional, state, and national level. The Grapevine monthly newsletter, the Annual Conference Retreat, and regional gatherings between conferences keep ministers known by name.
Coaching.
Practical pastoral and ministry coaching from leaders who pastor inside the United States. Continuing education at the Annual Conference Retreat with up to 3.0 CEUs for chaplains attending CTE.
Credibility.
49 years of continuous standing as a Spirit-filled fellowship inside the U.S. The credential and the endorsement letter carry weight with chaplain boards, charter agencies, and partner congregations.
Regional · State · District
A leadership structure built so no minister stands alone.
The National Division operates in tiers. Regional leaders carry oversight across multi-state areas. State coordinators carry oversight inside each state. District leaders, area coordinators, and zone leaders carry the work into cities and congregations. The Departmental Directors carry national assignments that cross every region: Rev. Abel Balli, Jr. as National Director of AEGA Hispanic Churches, and Bishop Ricky Martin as National Area Coordinator Director. Many of the area coordinators, zone leaders, and directors serving inside the United States are not publicly listed. AEGA's posture is relational, not directory-driven. A minister beginning credentialing is introduced to the leader for their region or state during the application review, and the relationship continues from that point forward. For specific regional or state leader contact, the Monroe office routes ministers to the right covering leader. Call 1-800-842-5176 or use the contact form.
From an AEGA Minister
"I went to the International Minister's Conference to see if I could sense the vision of AEGA. I not only sensed it, but I also wanted to be a part of it."
Jerry Hatfield · Chaplain & Professor · Texas
How to Engage
Connecting with your regional or state director.
01
Begin a credential application
The credential application is the front door into the National Division. Apply at the Ministerial Apprentice, Christian Worker, Licensed Minister, or Ordained Minister tier. AEGA's Board of Examiners reviews doctrine, references, and ministry experience.
02
Meet your regional or state leader
During the credential review the Monroe office introduces the applicant to the regional or state leader for their area. The relationship begins before the credential is issued, not after.
03
Receive the credential
Most credentials are issued within three to five weeks of a thorough Credential Committee review. The credential names the minister as a member in good standing of the AEGA Spirit-filled fellowship.
04
Stay connected through the year
Regional gatherings between conferences. The Annual Conference Retreat each year. The Grapevine monthly newsletter. Annual renewal keeps the credential and the covering current.
Frequently Asked
The AEGA National Division, answered.
What is the AEGA National Division?
The National Division is AEGA's operational structure inside the United States. It carries credentialed ministers, chartered churches, and endorsed chaplains through regional leaders, state coordinators, district leaders, area coordinators, and zone leaders. It is one of four AEGA divisions, alongside the Foreign Division, Women for Christ, and World Missions.
Is AEGA a denomination?
No. AEGA is not a denomination. It is a Spirit-filled fellowship of ministers credentialing ministers. The National Division does not own pulpits, dictate local-church polity, or take a percentage of tithes. It carries Biblical, spiritual accountability that protects the minister and affirms the God-given assignment of the local church.
Who leads the National Division?
National-level oversight runs through the Council of Bishops and the Departmental Directors. Rev. Abel Balli, Jr. serves as National Director of AEGA Hispanic Churches. Bishop Ricky Martin serves as National Area Coordinator Director. U.S.-based Presiding Bishops on the Council of Bishops include leaders in Ohio, Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and other states.
How is leadership organized below the national level?
In tiers. Regional leaders carry multi-state oversight. State coordinators carry oversight inside each state. District leaders, area coordinators, and zone leaders carry the work into cities and congregations. Many of those leaders are not publicly listed; AEGA's posture is relational, not directory-driven, and ministers are introduced to the right covering leader during credential review.
Does AEGA have Hispanic and bilingual ministry leadership?
Yes. Rev. Abel Balli, Jr. serves as the National Director of AEGA Hispanic Churches. Hispanic and bilingual ministers receive credentialing, fellowship, and conference participation in language and context, with national-level oversight specific to Spanish-speaking and bilingual congregations across the United States.
How does a U.S. minister get connected to a regional or state leader?
The fastest path is the credential application. During credential review the Monroe office introduces the applicant to the regional or state leader for their area. Ministers already credentialed who need to reach their leader can call the headquarters at 1-800-842-5176 and the office will route the call to the right covering leader.
Find your covering inside the AEGA National Division.
49 years of Spirit-filled fellowship across the United States. Regional, state, and district leaders carrying credentialed ministers through the long career.