Chaplaincy & Specialized Ministries
If you are applying for ecclesiastical endorsement, please read this important announcement!
The Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser for American Baptist Churches USA and ABHMS is moving a critical deadline in the first quarter of 2025.
New Applicants for Endorsement and Supplemental Forms for Healthcare, Military (all branches), and Correctional Chaplains will not be available for submission and processing until April 14, 2025. This means all applications for all categories of endorsement and government forms associated with chaplaincy will be processed beginning April 14, 2025.
All currently endorsed chaplains, pastoral counselors and specialized ministers who have submitted their 2024 Annual Reports will receive updated Letters of Good Standing and appropriate forms in January 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact the Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC, in the Office of the Ecclesiastical Endorser by phone (610-768-2050) or email (endorsements@abhms.org) no later than January 16, 2025.
Ministries in specialized settings
American Baptist chaplains and specialized minister serve in diverse and specialized settings standing on holy ground—in hospitals, prisons, pastoral counseling centers, colleges and universities, race tracks, military bases and churches. These faithful servants are called to speak words of comfort, provide support and share God’s love to transform the face of anguish to a countenance of peace.
American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors, as well as campus ministers, minister to individuals, communities, and institutions in our neighborhoods and communities, incarnating God’s presence during the most difficult and challenging situations and crises.
To maintain endorsement in good standing, endorsed American Baptist chaplains and specialized ministers are required to submit an annual report. American Baptists may be qualified to apply for ecclesiastical endorsement.
A chaplaincy e-newsletter keeps American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors connected throughout the year; take a moment to review past issues for a sense of the passion chaplains bring to their ministry:
Chaplaincy e-newsletter 2019 archive: January
Chaplaincy e-newsletter 2018 archive: November | April | January
Contact Us
Chaplaincy and Specialized Ministries 1075 First Ave. King of Prussia, PA 19406 Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, Ecclesiastical Endorser and National Coordinator for Chaplaincy & Specialized Ministries 610-768.2050 • 610.768.2409, fax
