At Texans on Mission, chaplains are individuals who go out into worksites and disaster sites to provide spiritual and emotional support to survivors by sharing the love of Christ.
“Our role is to help [survivors] get emotionally and spiritually balanced,” said chaplain Melanie Howington. “I'm not saying they're going to be believers when we finish talking with them, but our main goal is to get them to where they have hope.”
Though, how that mission takes shape is unique for everyone, Howington said.
Last weekend, 23 TXM volunteers were trained as chaplains at a bi-annual Chaplain Training retreat held at Lake Shore Baptist Church in Lake Dallas.
Over the stretch of three days, Howington and fellow chaplain Genia Macon trained the group, walking them through slideshow lessons and training videos on how to interact with survivors of all cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. They also acted out scenarios they might encounter on the ground, and discussed what the response process is when chaplains are called to serve. All the while, they worked through a chaplain training manual, with Howington and Macon answering any questions the group had about the role they would soon take on.
The criteria it takes to become a chaplain involves being deployed at least twice — local or beyond — and recommendations from a Blue Cap, a TXM volunteer unit leader and a church leader, Howington said.
Trainees who attended came from all different walks of life. Noel Tucker Vera, a family law attorney and chaplain trainee, said she was used to meeting needs and assisting people through tough times based on those who came through her office everyday. However, the segway to becoming a chaplain initially threw her for a loop.
“Chaplaincy was something I never thought I had the skillset or the interest to do,” Noel said. “I was like — that’s not me.”
Still, she said she felt the Lord was calling her to be a chaplain, that he had put it on her heart. She trusted the call, and now, is so glad she did.
“What a fantastic group to come alongside as they disciple,” Vera said. “What an incredible group of servants of God. They’ve done so much and have been so involved.”
Throughout the lessons, trainees explored the concept of being present in suffering — no small task, according to Macon. This skill doesn’t always come naturally, she said. It can be tricky to figure out what people need most in a vulnerable moment. Maybe it’s a hug. Maybe it’s a tissue. Oftentimes, it’s simply lending a listening ear.
Macon encouraged trainees to allow God to guide them throughout their chaplaincy.
“Prepare yourself through prayer,” Macon said. “Don’t go because you’re obligated to go, go because the Lord called you to go.”
While chaplains are often few in number on deployments, they can be the most important people on the team, said Blue Cap and chaplain trainee Greg Rose. His observations working alongside chaplains at disaster sites led him to want to try it for himself.
“I’ve seen them sit down on the tailgate of a truck with a homeowner and talk to them, and I always give them a hard time, saying ‘Everyone you talk to always starts crying.’” Rose said. “But what [survivors] really need on the inside isn’t about removing trees and debris — that’s a means of getting to the hearts of the people we serve.”
During one lesson, Howington shared an anecdote from her own experience in the field. One particular encounter showed her that each chaplain has a unique set of skills they bring to the table, and that everyone is going to be able to witness to volunteers indifferent ways.
She had come across a deaf man on a worksite she was deployed to. Howington wanted to witness to him, but said there was no one in her group who knew sign language. She prayed about it and discovered later that night one of the volunteers in another TXM volunteer group knew how to sign fluently. He was able to connect with the man and share the Gospel with him. God had answered Howington’s prayer.
“When you’re out there and you need something, ask God,” Howington said.
The training ended on Saturday morning with a commissioning ceremony, where Howington and Macon presented the trainees-turned-chaplains with their official chaplain lanyards. Howington expressed her pride and confidence in the new chaplains.
“This is a very diverse group, as far as their experience,” Howington said. “We had a lot of people who have been through disasters, which is going to make them extremely good chaplains — it’s going to make them be able to relate more to homeowners.”
Vera encouraged others to heed the call to chaplaincy if they feel it, trusting God’s plan wholeheartedly.
“Even if you go through [chaplaincy training] and realize it’s not exactly for you, now, when you deploy with the laundry unit or feeding unit, you have an education and you’re going to be able to use that resource if needed,” Vera said. “Have the confidence to say, ‘Whatever the Holy Spirit grows in me, I’m going to use it, whether I end up becoming a chaplain or not.’”
Learn more about chaplaincy at Texans on Mission here.