Chaplain Spouses - Who Are We?
by Debra Crable-Anderson
It’s a good question and one that needs some clarity. Let’s begin with the basics.
Debra Crable-Anderson is Coordinator of Chaplain Spouses. Her professional background includes a 20-year career in radio and television and 15 years of executive communications on Capitol Hill. Debra graciously serves as the leader of the chaplain spouses for the North America Division.
We are women. We are men. We are mothers. We are fathers. While some are stay-at-home moms and dads, others are employed full-time outside of the home. Our spouses are Seventh-day Adventist pastors who have been called to expand the reach of their traditional pulpit ministry.
Our spouses serve in healthcare facilities, the military, correctional institutions, on educational campuses, and in the local community (law enforcement, fire departments, legislative, search and rescue, EMT, workplace, and sports).
Currently, there are over 700 endorsed SDA chaplains serving throughout the North American Division and in the military worldwide. It’s likely that several currently serve in your territory.
Chaplain spouses are eager to engage with other ministerial spouses in all areas of fellowship, networking, and training. We would welcome membership in your local organizations and are willing to participate in meetings, retreats, support groups, or other activities that would forge supportive relationships.
Given that chaplains serve in various capacities across the NAD, there are chaplain spouse representatives in four regions of the country, Atlantic seaboard and Canadian Regions, the Southern Region, Great Plains Region, and the West Coast. They serve the unique needs of the spouses in their respective areas.
Often, because our spouse doesn’t carry the title “Pastor” in front of their name, people tend to forget that we continue to work alongside them in ministry and have the same needs and concerns that were present before he/she made the transition to the role of chaplain. It is my prayer that as we forge deepening relationships with ministerial spouses, we will be able to close the gap and walk hand in hand, together in purpose and in mission.
We look forward to connecting with you as we do our part in building up the kingdom of GOD.
ministering to Chaplain Spouses
by Debra Anderson
