Dr. Ron Baity
President
Dr. Ron Baity trusted Christ as Saviour as a teenager and has been a pastor for over 50 years.
In 2006, he and several other board members of the North Carolina Christian School Association founded Return America because of the concern they held for our nation’s condition.
In addition to his position as president of Return America, Dr. Baity is the founder and pastor of Berean Baptist Church. He also serves on the board of the North Carolina Christian School Association and is a chaplain for the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Dr. Baity preaches in many camp meetings, revivals, and churches across North Carolina as well as participates in other speaking engagements across the state.
Dr. Baity has also been interviewed by many media outlets, including local television stations, the national FOX News Network, FOX Radio, Moody Radio (Janet Parshall, “In the Market”), the New York Times, BBC, CBS News, and CNN concerning the stands he takes on Biblical issues.
Dr. Baity was the recipient of the 2012 Watchman on the Wall Award from the Family Research Council.
Mr. Dwight Creech
Vice President
Mr. Dwight Creech is a native of North Carolina, born into a farming family in Pine Level, North Carolina. He graduated from Pine Level High School in 1963 and went on to East Carolina University. In 1971, Mr. Creech graduated from East Carolina University with three degrees. He holds an A.B. degree in Philosophy, an A.B. degree in Psychology, and a Masters Degree in Education.
Upon leaving school, he traveled extensively all over the United States and Europe, including Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, and England. Mr. Creech is an accomplished photographer and sculptor, and spent several weeks in Rome photographing and studying the works of Michaelangelo.
Upon returning to America, he was employed by the North Caorlina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a Juveline Corrections Counselor. After 18 months in this position, he became principal of Calvary Christian School in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where he currently serves.
In addition to being principal of Calvary Christian School and vice president of Return America, Mr. Creech also serves on the board of the North Carolina Christian School Association.
Dr. Richard Callahan
Secretary
Dr. Richard Callahan grew up in the Carolinas. Not long after turning to Christ as a teenager, he surrendered to serve in whatever ministry capacity the Lord would see fit. While studying for the ministry, he spent many summers working in Christian camps and on various foreign mission fields, willing to avail himself to every opportunity the Lord might use him in. Shortly after graduating from Bob Jones University, he came to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Archdale, North Carolina, in the late 1970s, with the intention to serve as youth pastor and teacher for a few years, gaining ministry experience working alongside his new father-in-law and pastor, Herb McPheron Sr. However, those few years have yet to end as it was not many years later that the Lord and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church called him to be the senior pastor. For over forty years, Dr. Callahan has shepherded the flock at Mt. Calvary.
Along with his wife, Dr. Callahan has faithfully served in nearly every ministry aspect through the years and has been honored with a Doctorate Degree from Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, North Carolina. Passionate about religious freedom and Christian education, Dr. Callahan serves in leadership positions with the North Carolina Christian School Association and the American Association of Christian Schools in addition to his position with Return America.
Rev. Donnie Oates
Treasurer
Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Rev. Oates was saved at the age of ten in a revival service at the church he now pastors, Vandalia Baptist Church.
Pastor Oates surrendered to God’s claim upon his life in 1968 while attending a secular university. He enrolled in Piedmont Bible College where he earned a B.A. in religious education.
His father, David Oates, was the founding pastor of Vandalia Baptist Church and it was when they started a Christian school ministry that Rev. Donnie was called to serve alongside his father; and later called to become senior pastor.
Rev. Oates has been married to his high school sweetheart since 1970. They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Dr. Joe Haas
Dr. Joe Haas has served in Christian school education since 1975. He was a school administrator from 1975 – 1992 at Christian schools in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He currently is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Christian School Association, a position he has held since 1992.
After attending Welch College for two years, Dr. Haas transferred to the University of Alabama in Birmingham and earned a BS in 1975. He also earned a M.Ed. in administration and supervision in 1982 at Middle Tennessee State University. In 2006, he earned an Ed.D. in education leadership at Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Haas has been happily married since 1972 and he and his wife Jan were blessed with four children. Dr. and Mrs. Haas are the proud grandparents of seven grandsons (including a set of twin boys) and two granddaughters.