Global Chaplaincy Congress Closes With A Call To Christlike Humility and Love
Leaders call for deeper unity and bold ministry as chaplains mark 40 years of service
July 4, 2025 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher and Inter-American Division News
The 4th World Adventist Chaplaincy Congress concluded with a historic banquet, where Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, delivered the keynote address to hundreds of chaplains and their spouses from around the world. The event took place on July 2 inside the Versailles Ballroom of the Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
The closing event marked four decades of chaplaincy ministry, honored pioneering leaders, and reaffirmed a collective commitment to compassionate service in a world facing unprecedented crises.
Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, delivers the keynote address during the World Chaplaincy Banquet on July 2, 2025. [Photo: Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher]
In his keynote message based on Galatians 6, Pastor Wilson reminded chaplains that spiritual excellence is rooted in Christlike humility and love. “If you are not compassionate, you haven’t caught the essence of what a chaplain really does,” he declared. He urged chaplains to persevere through difficulty, echoing Churchill’s immortal words, “Never give up. Never, never, never, give up.”
He emphasized that chaplains are not only called to comfort the hurting but to point them to Jesus. “There is no other way of reaching them but in Christ’s way. He ever worked to relieve suffering and teach righteousness.”
Following his address, Dr. Ivan Omaña, director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, presented Pastor Wilson with a crystal handshake sculpture symbolizing unity. Military chaplains also presented him with the final commemorative coin minted by the Pentagon, given by Chaplain General Andrew Harewood. “I’ll place these on my desk as a reminder of the sacred work you all do,” Wilson said gratefully.
Brigadier General Trevor J. Harewood shakes hands with Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, on stage during the World Chaplaincy Banquet on July 2, 2025. [Photo: Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher]
One of the evening’s highlights came as five historic leaders in Adventist chaplaincy were recognized with heartfelt standing ovation for their foundational contributions, two were in absentia:
- Colonel Richard “Dick” Stenbakken, former Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) director from 1992 to 2004, and the first Adventist Army chaplain promoted to full colonel (O-6) on active duty.
- In absentia, Martin Feldbush, former ACM director, who served two terms: 1989-1991 and 2005-2008. He was instrumental in strengthening the integration of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and expanding ACM’s educational mission.
- In absentia, Gary R. Councell, former ACM director, served from 2008 to 2015. He is recognized for globally expanding military and institutional chaplaincy.
- Mario Ceballos served as Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (General Conference) director from 2015 to 2022. He oversaw the global expansion of chaplaincy education, particularly in the Inter-American region, and mentored future leaders, including Dr. Ivan Omaña.
- Thomas Lemon served as the general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists from 2010 to 2022 (GC vice president; previously NAD President, 2010–2015). He served as the liaison and supporter of multiple departments, including ACM, and is known for his prayerful and steady leadership.
Honorees Mario Ceballos, Colonel Richard “Dick” Stenbakken, and Thomas Lemon display the handshake crystal sculpture, presented by Dr. Ivan Omaña during the 40th Anniversary Chaplaincy Banquet on July 2, 2025. They are flanked by uniformed chaplains from around the world.
Dr. Omaña also presented each honoree with a crystal handshake sculpture. In honoring Chaplain Stenbakken, he emphasized the significance of his unique appointment, noting, “This church took a bold step in appointing a career pastor to world leadership.”
Reflecting on his unexpected path, Stenbakken shared, “When I came to the General Conference… I did not come up through the ranks, if you will, in the church, from a district to a large church, to the conference, to the union, to the division. I came from a district pastor [before military service] to world level, and the church has to say, had never done that before.”
He continued, “Seeing the growth of chaplaincy around the world is deeply emotional. This is a dream come true. Serve where you are. Be system-savvy. You’re not a lone ranger. You’re a spoke in a greater wheel. Take care of your system—it’s good for your ministry, and it’s good for your soul.”
Recognizing Military and Uniformed Chaplains
The three honorees were joined on stage by dozens of military chaplains who had earlier been invited by Dr. Ivan Omaña. He highlighted their courage and selfless service, telling the audience, “These men and women take Jesus to places where no one else wants to go. When others run away, they run toward danger. And they do it in the name of the Church—but even more so, in the name of Jesus.”
Chaplain Oleg Khokhlov of the Euro-Asia Division speaks during the 40th Anniversary Chaplaincy Banquet on July 2, 2025, while Dr. Ivan Omaña, Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries director at the General Conference looks on. [Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher]
Educational Advancements Announced
During the banquet, Pastor Hiram Ruiz, chaplaincy ministries director for the Inter-American Division (IAD), announced the launch of a Doctor of Ministry in Chaplaincy through the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary—only the second such program worldwide after Andrews University.
We also have over 250 pastors currently taking Clinical Pastoral Education,” Ruiz said. “And more than 100 have already completed four units and received endorsement.”
Earlier that evening, the Inter-American Division held a special recognition ceremony for eight newly endorsed chaplains—its first of this kind. Among them were Jamaica’s first two endorsed chaplains: Pastor Dane Fletcher, youth ministries director and chaplain for the Jamaica Union, and Dr. Gary Buddoo-Fletcher, chief chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. “Both are now pursuing additional CPSP certification,” added Ruiz.
According to Ruiz, CPSP stands for the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. It is a professional organization that provides accreditation for clinical pastoral education (CPE) programs, certifies chaplains, and promotes best practices in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling.
A second groundbreaking announcement came from Chaplain Oleg Khokhlov of the Euro-Asia Division, who will launch a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy at the university.
Eight chaplains from the Inter-American Division display their certificates of endorsement during a recognition ceremony on July 2, 2025. Seated L–R: Dr. Asnel Valcin, Pastor Hiram Ruiz (IAD), Dr. Ivan Omaña (GC Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries), and Dr. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel (GC Health Ministries).
[Photo: Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher]
Among the many inspired by the Congress was Chaplain Captain Jonathan Arroyo, an active-duty member at Travis Air Force Base, North American Division. Reflecting on the experience, he shared: “This was excellent. Excellent presenters. I appreciated the breakout sessions and the big banquet finale. It was a great time to network, connect, and fellowship.”
Arroyo especially appreciated the sessions tailored for military chaplains. “The presentation on moral injury and the POW/MIA briefing stood out,” he said. “I’m glad the Congress addressed the unique needs of each chaplaincy context.”
Global Reflections: Ghana to Guadeloupe
From Africa to the Caribbean, the international scope of the Congress was unmistakable. Colonel Peter Nyarko Duodoo, director of Army Religious Affairs for the Ghana Armed Forces, reflected on his journey: “I initially resisted chaplaincy, but today I stand fulfilled. Chaplains go where traditional pastors often cannot. We bring hope. We bring Christ.”
Dr. Ivan Omaña, Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries director, anoints Felisha Miller of the Inter-American Division during a special anointing ceremony at the close of the chaplain spouses’ breakout session on July 2, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. [Photo: Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher]
Jael Valiami Noel, youth ministries director for the French Antilles and Guiana Union, described the gathering as “a time of fellowship, connection, and recommitment,” and praised the endorsement ceremony’s emphasis on “compassion, commitment, and engagement.”
Affirming the Role of Chaplain Spouses
During the banquet, Dr. Omaña honored chaplains’ spouses for being essential partners in ministry, often serving quietly behind the scenes, he said. “We are what we are because you are our able helpers,” Omaña stated. “Sometimes, the person who needs a chaplain most is the one standing next to you at home.”
Earlier that evening, during a special breakout session for spouses led by Deborah Anderson and her husband, retired U.S. Navy Chaplain Paul Anderson, Dr. Omaña expressed appreciation for both couples—including Joyce and her husband, Dr. Washington Johnson II, Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries director for the North American Division—for their exemplary leadership.
In his closing charge, Omaña urged attendees to embrace their calling with renewed purpose, reminding them, “We are not alone in this calling—we are a movement, a ministry, a family. Let us go forward with humility in our hearts, courage in our steps, and Christ as our guide.”