Disaster Relief Chaplaincy
First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, Fla.
February 6
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About My Family
I am married to my lovely wife, Cindy. We have two children, Frank and Kashae. Thirty-five years ago I entered public service as a firefighter EMT. From there I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Hospital Corpsman. After being enlisted for 10 years, I went to work for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). After retiring from the VBA, in 2012 I began volunteering on the VA Medical Center’s hospice wing. During this time I recognized my calling to hospital chaplaincy. Since that time I have recognized other opportunities to serve my community and God’s kingdom agenda. I am truly blessed to have the love and support of my family, church and community.
About My Ministry
I’m honored to serve my community as a NAMB endorsed disaster relief chaplain. Currently, I am involved with Florida Baptist Disaster Relief, the American Red Cross, Centerstone Sexual Assault and Trauma Services, and I am the regional lead for central and southwest Florida's disaster spiritual care. I am the chaplain for the North River Fire District, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Blake Medical Center, Tampa Bay Regional Critical Incident Team and Manatee County Critical Incident Team. I began my ministry as a first responder and now the Lord has graciously allowed me to become a first responder to first responders.
Additionally, I volunteer in middle and elementary schools as a mentor through games of checkers, games of chess and conversation, which is called CCC Youth Mentoring/Ministry (2 Cor. 1:3-5) with a focus on student survivors of trauma. As a child survivor of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), I feel uniquely called and qualified as a wounded healer to this youth ministry.
Additionally, I volunteer in middle and elementary schools as a mentor through games of checkers, games of chess and conversation, which is called CCC Youth Mentoring/Ministry (2 Cor. 1:3-5) with a focus on student survivors of trauma. As a child survivor of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), I feel uniquely called and qualified as a wounded healer to this youth ministry.
SBC Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy is a "frontline" ministry that is vital to the extension of the local church. Chaplains reach the lost among the thousands of men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, correctional facilities, healthcare settings, public safety, disaster relief sites and corporate environments. SBC Chaplains care for the broken, offer hope to the hopeless, and advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ in hard to reach places. The qualifications expected of a Southern Baptist applying for endorsement as a chaplain or counselor are established by the using agency and the Chaplains Commission, SBC. These qualification requirements vary according to the type of chaplaincy or counseling ministry involved but all are expected to meet a high level of ministerial competence. A basic qualification from the Chaplains Commission, SBC, is that an applicant is a Southern Baptist who is a member in good standing with an SBC church. Additional qualification requirements may involve certain age limits, educational background, ministry experience, physical condition, financial and credit history, citizenship eligibility for a security clearance, certification by certain national organizations, and other qualifications specific to the Using Agency or Chaplains Commission, SBC. If you are interested in pursuing next steps as an SBC endorsed chaplain from your church, explore the possibilities at Send me. For more information about SBC Chaplaincy, visit www.namb.net/chaplaincy.
