For many years, the role of the chaplain has remained on the margins of Adventist ministry. While the Church has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on pastoral ministry, evangelism, and congregational life, opportunities for the development of chaplaincy have often been limited. Yet chaplains work in environments where people are unlikely to encounter a pastor or visit a church, such as hospitals, prisons, universities, military bases, and workplaces. They support individuals during times of crisis, uncertainty, loss, and transition by providing a ministry of presence, active listening, spiritual care, and hope. As Gilda Dolah aptly put it, “Sometimes your presence is the answer.” Recognising the importance of this ministry, the Inter-European Division is taking steps to strengthen and develop chaplaincy by providing dedicated training and support.
This commitment to strengthening chaplaincy was reflected in a four-day ACM training held in Strážovice, Czech Republic, from September 13–16, 2026. Under the motto “Called to Care in Times of Need: Competent • Committed • Compassionate,” 44 participants from seven countries gathered for training, professional development, and fellowship. The programme brought together experienced presenters from AdventHealth, Loma Linda University, and the U.S. Army, offering participants insights drawn from healthcare, education, and military chaplaincy. The diversity of perspectives highlighted the breadth of chaplaincy ministry and the range of contexts in which Adventist chaplains are called to serve.
The setting itself contributed to the experience. The training took place at Hotel Selský dvůr in Strážovice, surrounded by the peaceful landscape of the Czech countryside. The welcoming hospitality of the hosts, together with the beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings, provided an environment conducive not only to learning but also to reflection, conversation, and fellowship among participants from different countries and ministry contexts.
The status of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) within the EUD varies considerably from country to country. Many chaplains currently serve part-time or full-time within Adventist institutions, particularly in the Adventist school system. The Czech Republic represents a notable exception. State regulations provide opportunities for chaplains to serve in non-church institutions, and the Adventist Church has developed good relationships and cooperation with relevant institutions. As a result, Adventist chaplains have an established presence in prisons and healthcare and, more recently, even in the military. Romania also has a well-developed Adventist chaplaincy presence in educational and correctional institutions.
These different contexts underline both the opportunities and the challenges facing ACM in Europe. Chaplaincy is ministry in places where people often encounter some of the most difficult moments of their lives. It requires more than theological knowledge; it calls for professional competence, emotional maturity, deep commitment, and genuine compassion. As Vaughan Grant expressed it during the training, “The chaplain is here to absorb people’s pain.” This demanding calling was at the heart of the gathering in Strážovice: to equip chaplains not simply to be present, but to offer competent, committed, and compassionate care when it is needed most.
Chaplaincy begins with presence. A chaplain may not always be able to change a situation, alleviate suffering or provide simple solutions. However, by being present, listening and sharing in another person's difficult moment, the chaplain can convey something profoundly important: that they do not have to face it alone. This was the spirit of the gathering in Strážovice, and the challenge that its 44 participants took away with them was to be competent in their ministry, committed to their calling and compassionate in their care.
*EUD Chaplaincy Minsitries Director
