Adrienne Townsend accepted the oath of office and was officially sworn in July 24 as the first Seventh-day Adventist woman to serve as an active duty chaplain in the United States Navy.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Townsend said her four years as associate dean of women at Adventist-owned Andrews University prepared her for chaplaincy and called her new post a “huge mission field” where she could minister to similarly aged young people.

“I feel God has laid the foundation for me here to go out into the military and reach those who need to hear about Christ,” Townsend said. “I want Christ to be glorified and God to be seen as real for everyone I come in contact with.”

Townsend, who holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews, brings a background in education and psychology to her new position. While studying theology, Townsend met a Navy recruiter and first felt called to chaplaincy.

Townsend’s post is an “encouragement” to other Adventist women feel similarly called to ministry within the military and who “find the traditional roles limited,” said Chaplain (Colonel) Gary R. Councell, director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the world church.

Councell worked with Townsend over the past two years to prepare her to meet the military and denominational requirements of her post.

Lieutenant Christopher Carmichael, a Navy representative from the Navy Officer Recruiting Station in East Lansing, Mich., presented Townsend with her Presidential Appointment signed by President George W. Bush. Seminary Chaplain James North delivered the oath of office.

Once stationed, Townsend’s duties will include leading worship services, providing counseling and visitation services and performing ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

—Andrew Campbell contributed to this story