The educational online conference: “Sanctuaries of Wholeness, Healing and Grace: A Training Conference for Pastors in Ukraine" on the basics of chaplain ministry was held.

Photo: Ukrainian Union Conference

Photo: Ukrainian Union Conference

Photo: Ukrainian Union Conference

Photo: Ukrainian Union Conference

From July 22 to 24, 2024, 200 pastors took part in the training initiated by the Chaplaincy Ministry of the General Conference (GC).

The training began with an address by Ted Wilson, a president of the GC of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In addition, in the following days, GC Vice-Presidents, such as Thomas L. Lemon and Artur A. Stele joined the meeting.

Some of the teachers involved in the training were on vacation, but took the time to share their own experiences and best practice in the field of chaplaincy.

The conference covered theological foundations of pastoral care, basic counseling and communication skills, ethical considerations, crisis support training, the role of military chaplains, unique challenges in military and emergency situations, legal and ethical frameworks, initiating chaplaincy programs in the community, and self-help and resilience strategies.

At the end of the training, Stanislav Nosov, a president of the Ukrainian Union Conference, shared his thoughts on the importance of chaplain ministry in modern conditions.

The organizer of the training program and the moderator of the meetings was Ivan Omaña, a head of the Chaplaincy Ministry of the GC who answered questions after each day of training and conducted an interactive session to apply the acquired skills. According to Omaña, support of the ministry of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict remains the focus of the GC. Therefore, training similar to the one that took place will take place in the near future. The next training on the basics of chaplain ministry for members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ukraine is planned to be held at the end of summer.

On June 13, 2024, during a significant meeting between the leadership of the GC of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Oksana Markarova, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA, discussions were held on providing assistance to Ukrainians. The GC has expressed its willingness to cooperate, particularly in the realm of chaplain ministry, which would include educational training efforts. This initiative marks a notable effort to support Ukrainians through enhanced chaplain services and training programs.

The original article was published on the Ukrainian Union Conference Ukrainian website.