BMA Chaplaincy
BMA Chaplaincy is a part of BMA America’s mandate to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.” The chaplaincy, in coordination with BMA Global, endorses and cares for chaplains, both civilian and military, as they carry the gospel. We facilitate the ministry of God-called men seeking to fulfill that calling in chaplain settings. BMA Chaplaincy endorses qualified individuals recommended by a local BMA America church who agree with the BMA America doctrinal statement and who are qualified for the desired position. For example, the military requires a chaplain to have a Master of Divinity or 72 hours of accredited seminary work. After completing the educational requirements, a person can be fully endorsed. The endorsement states that the person is qualified (technically, physically, morally, and spiritually) to represent BMA America. An endorsement may be withdrawn at any time the division, BMA Global or BMA America considers it appropriate. Also, our endorsement does not constitute approval to serve as a chaplain. The person still must meet all the requirements of the military or civilian agency.
Military Chaplaincy
Individuals interested in and sensing God’s leadership toward Military Chaplaincy should contact BMA Chaplaincy first. It is not too early to start even if working on a Bachelor’s Degree. As soon as the individual has completed a Bachelor’s Degree and is enrolled in an accredited seminary, he is eligible to enroll in a Chaplain Candidate Program. The Candidate Program, depending on which branch of the military they're interested, has some real advantages. The process of getting into the Active Military, Reserve, National Guard, or Candidate Program is lengthy. The candidate and the Chaplaincy Director work closely with a Chaplain Recruiter to get through the application process. Besides educational requirements, the other two major requirements are age and physical fitness (initially it means meeting height and weight standards). The age factor can vary depending upon prior military experience. Age 42 has been the upper limit for acceptance but in some cases ages up to 46 are considered. Chaplains go into “all the world” by faith. Chaplains speak and communicate in faith through preaching, counseling, and staying in touch with other people of faith. Chaplains are people of faith and pray, “Lord, increase our faith.” Chaplains operate by faith in an alien culture and nonreligious system.
Civilian Chaplaincy
Individuals seeking a civilian chaplaincy endorsement are usually applying for a particular position, paid or volunteer, with an organization asking for an ecclesiastical endorsement. Civilian chaplains can serve in various ways including prisons and hospitals.
Dr. Scott R. Carson
Director
Scott and Linda
Address: 4229 Highway 15 North
Laurel, MS 39440
Phone: (601) 426-6346
Email: scarson@southeasternbaptist.edu
PRAY
• Please pray for more BMA of America ministers of the gospel to answer the call to military, corporate, or institutional chaplaincy.
• Please pray for more of our churches to financially support the BMA of America Chaplaincy Department. Currently, we can rarely afford to pay the travel expenses for even one chaplain to attend our national and state associational meetings—and this does not include his family members.
• Please pray for our chaplain families, especially our military families, to be blessed for the significant sacrifices and turbulent lives they live.
• Please pray for the spiritual resiliency of our chaplains as they minister to first responders, provide crises intervention ministry, and minister in unique situations both at home in the United States and across the globe.
PRAISE
• Praise God that the BMA of America now has more chaplains serving in the military, corporate, and institutional chaplaincies than ever before!
• Praise God that U.S. Army Chaplain Jake Steele was branch transferred as a Chaplain Candidate to a full chaplain in the Arkansas National Guard.
• Praise God that U.S. Navy Chaplain Matthew Dean became an active duty chaplain serving with the U.S. Marines in North Carolina.
• Praise God that several BMA of America ministers have been endorsed over the last year to serve in hospital, prison, and military chaplaincies.