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Chaplaincy Training

Chaplaincy is best referred to as the "ministry of presence' and "spiritual care." A chaplain is prepared and ready to help in disaster situations, bridging the gap between suffering people and a merciful God. Chaplains may work in hospitals, hospice facilities, industrial corporate offices, emergency settings, alongside law enforcement officers, as well as amidst disaster-stricken environments. Chaplains go beyond the walls of a church, walk into the intimate life of people of no faith, agnostics, atheists, and people of other religions, as well as Christians of many denominations. A chaplain attends and listens to spiritual and emotional cries for help from people and provides hope and comfort. The aim is to build a bridge of trust by becoming their friend and listening to their story, especially when they are in a crisis or trying to cope with special needs. Chaplains may assist by conducting religious services, pastoral counseling discussions, encouraging individuals with hope, helping people understand issues and interpret theological, moral, and ethical questions, notify family of the death of loved ones, defuse and debrief traumatized groups in an effort to manage stress caused by critical incidents, visit the sick, and assist when there are personal community crises.

Global Training Interaction works in partnership with the Occupational Chaplains Association (OCA), to provide chaplaincy certification training in these focus areas.

 

View for more information about OCA ministry.

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HOSPITAL / HOSPICE

Chaplains in the medical field visit those in medical facilities such as…

 CORPORATE

A Corporate Chaplain is a spiritual and emotional caregiver who…

FirePolice.jpg
POLICE / FIRE

Fire and Police Chaplains carry a great responsibility to...

Disaster.jpg
DISASTER RELIEF

Disaster Relief Chaplains provide caring ministry on the field of …

HOSPITAL / HOSPICE
Hospital

Chaplains specializing in the medical field visit people in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and private homes as well as hospice centers.  Chaplains attend and serve on teams with medical facility staff, physicians, nurses, psychologists, sociologists who look after sick patients They listen to patients, pray for the sick and minister spiritual care to individuals and families by providing answers to religious questions and words of encouragement, peace, and comfort. 

INDUSTRIAL / CORPORATE
Corporate

A Corporate Chaplain is a spiritual and emotional caregiver with influence for people in the industrial workplace. Some businesses employ chaplains to provide services for their staff such as employee assistance, counseling, wellness seminars, conflict management, mediation, and leadership development. Their service often reaches into the home to deal with death, crippling losses, domestic conflict and parenting issues.

POLICE / FIRE
Fire

Police and Fire department chaplains carry a great responsibility not only to the agencies in which they serve but also to the community in which they live. The Chaplain’s primary ministry is to be present and offer support to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, administrators, and support staff within the agencies they serve. They may ‘ride along’ with the law enforcement officer or firefighter, travel to the scene of emergency when needed to serve the victims and their families, make death notifications, and be with people in time of trauma. Prison Chaplains minister to the incarcerated, restoring hope by sharing the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. They are often a vital part of the rehabilitative process.

DISASTER RELIEF / FIRST RESPONDER
Disaster

Disaster Relief and first responder Chaplains deploy to sites of destruction and provide a caring ministry to victims of natural and man-made disasters.  They offer insight and education to churches, communities, and families in preparation and mitigation for potential disasters. These chaplains often work with national and international disaster relief agencies such as FEMA, Red Cross and Compassion Service International in order to coordinate spiritual care responses. Chaplains help integrate spiritual responses with other kinds of help provided by emergency care agencies, mental health providers, and social care agents.  They are called to provide comfort and hope after man-made disasters such as shooting incidents in schools, malls or other public places, and after natural disasters such as storms, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and earthquakes.

How do I become an OCA Chaplain?

Current Chaplains

The Occupational Chaplains Association (OCA) of the United Pentecostal Church accepts and endorses constituent of the church who already serves as a chaplain in their community.  These individuals need to complete and submit an application for chaplaincy endorsement at ocachaplains.com.   

 

New Chaplains

For potential chaplains with no experience, the Occupational Chaplains Association (OCA) of the United Pentecostal Church requires certification training as indicated by a certificate before applying to be endorsed by OCA.  The required training may be completed in one of two ways:

1. Attend a Chaplain’s Essentials Part 1 OR Part 2 training workshop. These workshops are held periodically in different areas and taught by OCA Facilitator and Education Director, Dr. Sidney L Poe.  Visit the events page on this site to find and register for upcoming training events or contact us if you’re interested in hosting a training workshop in your church, state, or region.

2. The second way is to enroll in Chaplain’s Essentials Part 1 or Part 2 video training online to receive the certification training. 

 

After the training is complete, download the chaplain's application from the OCA website: www.ocachaplains.com, fill in the required information, and along with a photo and a check covering endorsement fees, mail to Commander William N Dillon at the address shown on the application.  Be sure to check the area of your chaplain interest on the application. Please note: Along with the application, unless you are a licensed minister with the UPCI, you will need to obtain the approval signature of your pastor on the “Pastoral Approval Form” also available on the OCA website.

REQUEST A CHAPLAINCY TRAINING EVENT TO YOUR AREA
REGISTER FOR A CHAPLAIN TRAINING EVENT
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