About Us

Chaplaincy is now a part of Thrive (read more on this name change). Thrive exists to help the church express the good news of God’s kingdom and transform lives and communities worldwide.

Thrive supports Christian Reformed chaplains who provide pastoral ministry in specialized settings to people who are hurting or in crisis, uprooted or dislocated. Through the presence of chaplains, the very settings in which they minister become surprising places of grace. These specialized settings require chaplains who are exceptional, well-trained ministers of the Word or commissioned pastors. Chaplains are called and ordained by the church, and sent by Jesus Christ to provide spiritual care to people beyond the walls of the church.

Chaplains serve in a variety of institutions, such as:

  • Agency/Community
  • Behavioral health
  • Certified Educator for CPE
  • Corrections
  • Hospice
  • Hospital
  • Long term care
  • Mental health
  • Military
  • Parish
  • Pastoral counselor
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Workplace/Industrial community

 

Thrive supports chaplains through:

  • recruiting and identifying candidates who are fit for chaplain ministry
  • assisting chaplain candidates through their education and/or specialized training
  • endorsing chaplains for their ministry
  • providing resources, visits, and prayers to chaplains and their families
  • training chaplains through annual conferences, ministry updates, and shared information
  • affirming the connection between chaplains and calling churches by way of a Covenant of Joint Supervision
  • promoting chaplaincy ministry in the church and community
  • participating in national/state/provincial chaplaincy organizations
  • educating the church about institutional ministry
  • a Chaplain Development Fund, which assists current and aspiring chaplains as they meet educational needs

Staff

Thrive's chaplaincy endorser and ministry consultant, Rev. Tim Rietkerk, recently retired from the position. Thrive heartily thanks him for his 31 years of service to the denomination as a pastor, chaplain, and endorser, and wishes him well in his retirement. The search for the next chaplains endorser has begun. In the meantime, until the next endorser is hired, please send any chaplaincy-related questions or requests by email to [email protected].