Pastor Ernie Bullock is a Vietnam Combat Veteran, author, and senior associate pastor who supports veterans through faith-based ministry and counseling at Holiday Community Fellowship Church, hospitals, and community. After the war, his personal transformation led to leadership roles in veteran advocacy programs across the country and as a Peer Support Specialist with the VA in New York and Florida.
Military Service:
Vietnam War Experience from 1967-69: Bullock served two tours in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and survived the 1968 Tet Offensive when his Pleiku base camp was overrun.
Branch of Service:
A former U.S. Marine, he later served in the U.S. Air Force, reached the rank of Sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1970.
Recognition:
He has volunteered to work Point Man International Ministries Outposts as an Outpost Leader for over 40 years. Erne is a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
Ministry & Community Leadership:
Ernie is the retired Senior Pastor of a community Christian church in upstate New York where he co-pastored a local Pentecostal church. He also served on the NYS Council for Vietnam Veterans of America, co-chairing its Incarcerated Veterans Committee for over 10 years.
Holiday Community Fellowship Church:
He has served as an senior Associate Pastor at Holiday Community Fellowship Church in Holiday, Florida, where he provides pastoral counseling and support for 10 years.
Point Man International Ministries:
For over 40 years, Ernie has served as an Outpost Leader, establishing support outposts for former combat veterans and their families in New York and Central Florida.
Veteran Advocacy:
He spent 10 years as the Lead Coordinator for an Annual Veterans Support Day/Stand Down in Auburn, NY for Homeless Veterans, and their families.
VA Career:
Ernie worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a HUD-VASH Counselor in Syracuse, NY, as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and as Mental Health Peer Specialist, including service at Syracuse, Bay Pines, and Sarasota VA programs. He retired in December 2021.
Education:
He holds two master’s degrees, one in human services, Professional Studies in Human Services and Theological Studies, and the other a Master of Ministry. He completed NYS Department of Labor training as a Mental Health Therapy Aide and Counseling Aide and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Author:
He authored the 226-page book “Raised from the Bottom Up by God: Ernie & Jeanie Bullock’s Testimonial/Story” (July 2024), an honest account of his childhood, war experience, post-war struggles, and faith-based recovery.
A Personal Note:
Pastor Ernie did not walk his adventurous life alone. In 1970, he met the companion who became his wife and queen on August 14, 1971, and remained by his side until the Lord called her home on January 13, 2022.
Interests:
He is an active member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. He enjoys volunteering his time assisting others in our community when possible.
Hobbies:
Ernie became a skilled leather craftsman that started over 50 years ago as therapy when being treated for problems related to his PTSD from several factors in his life. Ernie enjoys shooting pool occasionally and enjoys riding his motorcycle for time outs from his schedule of assisting others.
