PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Transformations Ministries of Presque Isle will host International Fellowship of Chaplains training Monday through Friday, April 23-27.
According to local host and Senior Chaplain Robin Baxter-Beckwith of Transformations, the course will be held at the ministry office, 172 Houlton Rd. in Presque Isle, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and is open to everyone who wants to be trained as a chaplain.
The 45-hour accredited course awards a certificate of completion and 4.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.
The training includes but is not limited to: chaplaincy and the law, stress management, critical incident stress management, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, grief and loss, death notification, depression/suicidology, domestic violence, human trafficking and disaster preparedness.
Baxter-Beckwith explained the IFOC is a non-profit organization, serving over 25 years, training and credentialing chaplains worldwide to bridge the gap between the secular and ministry world. The organization prepares professional, trained and dedicated chaplains to serve communities in situations such as disaster response, fire, police, prison/jail, schools, sports, trauma/grief and loss, hospital and military, among others.
According to the IFOC website, a chaplain’s work differs greatly from the work of pastors: “The pastor cares for the spiritual needs of the congregation; whereas, the chaplain must care for the needs of the secular world as well.”
Having the IFOC credentials opens the door to serving others in every venue, said Baxter-Beckwith, including advanced training opportunities, involvement in the Community Chaplain Corps and participating as a chaplain in disaster relief situations. Chaplains may partner with Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Billy Graham Rapid Response Teams, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, CERT and other community resource groups.
For more information or to register for this event, visit the website www.IFOC.org.
An early bird registration discount is available until March 16. For local information, contact Baxter-Beckwith at (207) 227-4865 or robinsnest@ainop.com, or Nancy Nichols at (207) 768-3400 nancy@trainandequip.com.
