Requirements and Steps to Becoming a Chaplain
North American Ministries is the endorsing agency for Free Will Baptist chaplains in the armed forces. The Chief Executive Officer works directly with the Chief of Chaplains of each branch of the military services.
To become a Free Will Baptist chaplain in the armed forces of the United States:
- An individual must complete 120 hours of undergraduate study in a college or university ending in a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, or some other qualified degree.
- He must complete at least 72 semester hours of graduate credit at an accredited seminary ending in a Bachelor of Divinity or Master of Divinity program.
- He must be an ordained Free Will Baptist minister in good standing with the denomination and have two years professional experience at a Free Will Baptist Church.
- He must, upon completion of his education, submit the proper applications to North American Ministries and the branch of service in which he desires to serve.
- He must be under 46 (forty-six) years of age, have the ecclesiastical endorsement of his denominational body, and must pass a physical examination. He will be notified by the government when his application has been approved.