Free Methodist Church USA "let there be light" with Dove-Flame Mark. Orange and Blue.
Chaplains Association of the Free Methodist Church. Banner photo with pictures of various chaplains. Connecting Christ to Community in script font.
Chaplains Association of the Free Methodist Church

Care

Compassionately

As we love others.
Matthew 25:40

Counsel

Redemptively

As we make disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20

Christ

Always

As we love God.
Matthew 22:37

Interested in Chaplaincy? Please contact us!

Co-Directors of Chaplain Ministries

Chaplain Tim Porter (DMin, Lt Col USAF Ret.); Endorsing Agent Rev. Patricia Porter

Dr. Tim Porter

Chaplain, Lt Col,
USAF (ret), DMin
Endorsing Agent

timothy.porter@myfmconnect.org

Rev. Patricia Porter

MAT, LPT

patricia.porter@myfmconnect.org

An Introduction to Chaplaincy

Register for our “Introduction to Chaplaincy” Course

Pastoral Crisis Counseling

Register for our “Chaplaincy: Grief & Bereavement” Course

Free Methodist Chaplaincy is a specific calling to represent the Free Methodist Church – USA in specialized ministry settings as an extension of the denomination and the chaplain’s ordaining conference.

Free Methodist Chaplains are serving in hospitals, hospice and palliative care, college campuses, retirement centers and nursing homes, counseling centers, marketplace and community interest groups, special schools, county jails, state and federal prisons, VA medical centers, police/fire/emergency services, and Army, Navy, Air Force Chaplaincies (in the USA and overseas). In these places the Holy Spirit is at work and He beckons us to, “Come and minister to the deep spiritual needs of people.”

Chaplain Michael Koons

Law Enforcement & Emergency Responders
Network of Undeniable Blessings Conference

 

Chaplain, Major Jim Souza

US Army
Acts 12:24 Conference

Chaplain Ellen Reyes

Hospital Chaplain
The Reach Conference

 

ARE YOU CALLED TO CHAPLAINCY?

The Free Methodist Church integrates chaplaincy ministries into the overall ministry of the church. Any chaplain that is identified as Free Methodist will be ecclesiastically credentialed and an active member of the Free Methodist Chaplains Association (FMCA).

All members of the Free Methodist Chaplains Association know that they are connected to a positive and supportive family and network of chaplains.

CREDENTIALING

There are two categories of Ecclesiastical Chaplain Credentials:

Ecclesiastical Chaplain Endorsement
  • Must be an ordained Elder
  • Must meet employer’s chaplain
    requirements
  • Appointed to “denominational service”
Ecclesiastical Chaplain Candidate Endorsement
  • United States Armed Forces during the second year of seminary
  • CMCs depending on employing
    institutions
TRAINING RESOURCES

Clinical Pastoral Education  

Chaplain Books  

2025-2026 COURSE DATES FOR
CERTIFICATION IN CHAPLAINCY STUDIES

The FM Chaplains Association and The Center for Pastoral Formation are pleased to share the next set of dates for courses in the Certificate in Chaplaincy Studies. These five courses may be taken in any order (ideal to have Intro to Chaplaincy first). When all five are completed, participants receive a certificate of completion. See attached course descriptions for more information.

• Sept. 1 to Oct. 20 Pastoral Crisis Counseling with Don Bridges
• Oct. 20 to Dec. 13 Intro to Chaplaincy with Tim Porter
• Jan. 19 to March 9 Ministerial Ethics with Cris Mogenson
• March 16 to May 11 Trauma-Informed Care with Kayleigh Clark
• Spring 2026 cohort of Pastoral Crisis Counseling – dates TBD
• April 13 to June 5 Introduction to Chaplaincy with Tim Porter
• May 19 (Tues) to July 14 Grief & Bereavement with Troy Powers
To register:

  • MD&C Course Enrollment form – Formstack You will get an automatic confirmation email with course information. You will be invited to Pathwright closer to the course start date.
  • Contributions in support of this ministry may be made through FMCUSA:

    FMCUSA Finance Dept.
    attn: Chaplains Account
    PO Box 51710
    Indianapolis, IN 46251

    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    Larry Lyons

    President

    Spiritual Care Manager
    St Mary Mercy Hospital
    Livonia, MI

    Samuel Cabrera

    Jonathan Price

    Vice President

    Chaplain
    (MAJ) Jonathan “Gill” Price, USA
    4th Ranger Training Brigade
    Ft. Moore, GA

    Larry Lyons

    Bruce Whyte

    Secretary

    Chaplain
    CPE Educator USC Arcadia Hospital Redlands, CA

    B. Elliott Refroe

    Stephen Streett

    Member at Large

    Pastor, Misty Creek Community Church
    PRN Chaplain and Bereavement Care Coordinator
    Atlanta, GA

    Cheri Coleman

    Marie Rose

    Member at Large

    Chaplain
    Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office
    Natchitoches, LA

    Ray Leach

    Greg Zook

    Member at Large

    Chaplain
    Warm Beach Senior Community
    Stanwood, WA

    Video Library

    An Overview of Chaplaincy

    Meet Tim & Patricia Porter

    Meet Chaplain Andy Baird

    Meet Chaplain Bruce Whyte

    Meet Chaplain Cheri Coleman

    Meet Chaplain Joe Castillo