Marsh Center Webinar

Essential Lessons from Chaplains in Unique Cultures

 

Thursday, October 3 , 2024
2:00pm-4:00pm (CDT)
(Your local time: , - )

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Chaplains must understand a culture’s distinctiveness as a prerequisite to building an impactful and effective chaplain ministry. Misunderstanding or ignoring a culture’s uniqueness conveys a sign of disrespect and can negatively impact one’s ministry. This webinar will host four chaplains who minister to four very different cultures. The four panelists will be chaplains who minister to:

  • bikers
  • the trucking industry
  • the impoverished inner city
  • independent, coed, college-preparatory school students

With their experiences, they will share lessons that will help chaplains better understand and minister within their institutions or groups. This webinar will heighten your awareness of the importance of chaplains ministering in their unique cultures. CEUs are available to those who have registered and attended the whole conference.

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Marsh Center Webinar

Guest Speakers

Rev. Jeffrey Claes, aka “Chaplain Sidecar”

Rev. Jeffrey Claes, aka “Chaplain Sidecar”, Bikers

Rev. Jeffrey Claes, often known as “Chaplain Sidecar” is the pastor of the Rushing Wind Fellowship, Denton, TX, ministering to the Harley Davidson biking community on the premises of a Harley Davidson shop. Formerly a business executive with over 40 years as Manager, Director, President, Co-CEO, and CEO of award-winning accomplishments and experience in Domestic and International Business Management, he is now a motivated lay church leader and has transitioned to full-time chaplain ministry. He completed educational opportunities at Ohio State University, New College, Oxford University, England, Dallas Baptist University, and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He carries numerous ministry certifications and credentials covering a broad bandwidth of ministry services. He also collaborates with an international mission’s organization and is the Managing Director of BIKERCHAPLAIN COM, a 501(c)(3) nondenominational organization. It is focused on supporting individuals and ministry organizations with foundational, scripturally based training. Finally, he has served several years on the Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies Advisory Team. He contributed a chapter to The Heart of a Chaplain: Exploring Essentials for Ministry.

Website:  Biker Chaplain

: Jeffrey Claes

Dr. Ron Fraser

Dr. Ron Fraser, The Trucking Industry

Dr. Ron Fraser (M.Div., PhD, BCPPC, BCCTR) served 16 years in chaplaincy and counseling and is the current President and CEO of TFC Global, which provides chaplaincy to the Trucking Industry around the Globe. TFC Global also has its Accredited Chaplaincy Training Institute, which trains chaplains for all service areas and oversees the TFC Global East Coast Div. of Chaplains International.

He is a member of the AACC counseling group, which includes the addictions and recovery network, Grief, Crisis and Disaster Network, and Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Network. He teaches seminars on mental Health and Human Trafficking awareness and is a member of the International Board of Christian Care. He has numerous board certifications: Addiction and Recovery Specialist, Crisis and Trauma Response, Professional and Pastoral Counselor, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Psychological and Faith-Based Crisis Intervention Instructor, and Master Mental Health Coach / Instructor Certification (BCMMHC) — the highest Mental Health credential from the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). He serves as a Clinical Pastoral Education International member and the Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies Advisory Team. He contributed to The Heart of a Chaplain: Exploring Essentials for Ministry. Being previously licensed and ordained, he is a credentialed Chaplain.

Website:  TFC Global

: Ron Fraser

Chaplain Mary Flin

Chaplain Mary Flin, The Impoverished Inner City

Chaplain Mary Flin. MAT, is the Director and Dean of the Seminary of Urban Leadership, home of The Urban Ministry Institute of Topeka and the Center for Urban Chaplaincy. This seminary trains leaders from among urban believers to serve alongside the urban church in hard places, such as high-poverty neighborhoods, jails, and prisons.

Through chaplaincy training, Mary realized the potential impact of spiritual care in these neighborhoods. She began practicing chaplaincy in her own neighborhood, chasing the question: “Considering the documented positive impact of spiritual care on social determinants observed in healthcare spaces, what might happen if every urban neighborhood had a chaplain of their own?” Shoulder to shoulder, Mary, her neighbors, and her students and friends are providing intentional, compassionate engagement, envisioning healthy communities and seeing, firsthand, a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by various adversities, including poverty, incarceration, homelessness, and addiction. Mary is currently working on her BECC and contributed to The Heart of a Chaplain, Second Edition, to be released in early 2025.

Website:  The Urban Ministry Institute of Topeka

: Mary Flin

Dr. Will Whitmore

Dr. Will Whitmore, Independent, Coed, College-preparatory School Students

Dr. William (Will) Whitmore serves as School Minister at Mercersburg Academy, an independent, coed, college-preparatory school in south-central Pennsylvania. Whitmore preaches weekly at Sunday worship and provides pastoral care to students, faculty, and staff at the Academy. He is also a member of the history and religion department.

Whitmore earned a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Public Policy from the University of Denver and a Master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He completed a Ph.D. from the University of Gloucestershire in England, where his dissertation focused on sports chaplaincy in the National Football League and English Premier League.

Whitmore continues to write on sports, Christianity, and chaplaincy. He regularly works with sports and education chaplains in professional development settings. He contributed to The Heart of a Chaplain, Second Edition, to be released in early 2025.

Website:  Mercersburg Academy

: Will Whitmore

 

Sponsors

The Marsh Center

The Marsh Center

The Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies, a chaplain-focused endeavor of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary with an extensive advisory team, is building collaborative relationships with seminaries, organizations, and institutions to “equip, support, and advocate for chaplains in all settings.”

B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary

B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary

B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary exists to serve Christ and his church through the worldwide provision of affordable, high-quality, accessible and accredited theological education. Wherever there is Internet access, there is a classroom. Whether global or local, we equip students through the teaching of dedicated professors who are academically well-qualified, experienced in the diverse ministries of the church, and missions-minded.