‘One Step Closer to Christ’

is the Vocational Statement of the Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. It goes hand in hand with our Mission Statement of “Crisis Intervention through Chaplaincy.” We endeavor to be available along with law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies to minister to people who are experiencing a crisis, whether it be a day-to-day event or one of life changing magnitude. This can be as simple as a homeless person or as traumatic as a suicide.

The Chaplaincy serves basically the Bismarck-Burleigh County, North Dakota jurisdiction. We do, however, travel the state doing trainings, holding CISM debriefings and assisting other agencies. We have a staff of one full time chaplain and six volunteer chaplains who serve around the clock.

The Chaplaincy is a faith based, 501-C-3 non-profit organization. As a non-governmental agency we can respond to an incident in a timely and compassionate manner.

The Chaplaincy has a well defined diversity policy. We never try to uproot a person in crisis from their own faith basis. We do seek to be the healing presence of Christ when individuals and families find themselves in crisis. Our staff of chaplains come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The Chaplaincy seeks to keep current in crisis intervention protocols. We have consistent training to give our staff the best quality of training in evidence based crisis intervention skills. Most of our staff has taken the training offered through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.  

The Chaplaincy holds membership with the International Conference of Police Chaplains and the Federation of Fire Chaplains. Our Chaplaincy maintains high standards of professional education, thus keeping aware of the latest developments in the world of emergency services.

The hope we have in bringing people ‘One Step Closer to Christ’ is that through trauma, crisis and suffering Christ can redeem our pain, heal our hurt, give hope, and continue to create us in His image.