Chaplains Are Like an Angel Host — The Chaplain as a Visitation Presence

Featuring: Henry Reyenga and Chaplain Tom

HENRY:
Tom, I love reaching this point in the class, where we’re wrapping it up and pulling everything together. It's where the metaphors start to take shape, where we feel the urgency of the calling, the depth of the role.

And as our Ministry Sciences research team began looking closer at chaplaincy, one metaphor really hit us hard:

Chaplains are like angel hosts, bringing visitation.

You are someone’s "angel." Not in the supernatural sense, but in the spirit-filled, God-sent sense.

Chaplains are modern-day messengers.
They appear at just the right time, with the presence of Christ.

Have you experienced that? Where it was undeniably the Lord who placed you in a moment?

TOM:
Oh, frequently. And I love how you said, “They appear at just the right time.”

You know, one of the advantages chaplains have is that our presence isn’t shocking.

Like, I love and respect my pastor—but if he showed up unexpectedly at my front door, I’d probably assume someone died.

If he came to my workplace unannounced, I’d be asking, “What’s wrong?”

But as a chaplain, I’m already there.
I’m part of the firehouse, or the hospital floor, or the VFW, or the baseball team.

So when those moments hit—good or bad—I’m already present.
And that means I can step in as God’s presence in that moment.
Not because I was summoned, but because I was already journeying beside them.

HENRY:
Wow. That’s so powerful.

We use the metaphor of angels intentionally here, and we even see these patterns in Scripture:

  • Hagar in the desert—an angel appears.

  • Abraham receives three visitors.

  • Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds are visited.

  • Peter in prison—the angel comes quietly, directly, and powerfully.

What do all these have in common?

Angels don’t say much. But when they do, it’s full of clarity, comfort, and mission.

And chaplains are like that.
Both are sent to the suffering.
Both carry divine messages.
Both serve briefly—but meaningfully.

TOM:
That’s right. And sometimes it’s a long-term relationship, but often it’s a sacred moment—just once.

When you're a chaplain to the public, especially, you may only have a single window of opportunity to make an impact.

HENRY:
Yes—and even those brief moments matter.

In my own chaplain parish—like at the country club—I’ve seen it again and again.

Guys see me around for weeks, months… then one moment, they’ll say:

“Hey, Rev… got a minute?”

And there it is.
If I weren’t there, that moment wouldn’t have happened.
They probably won’t look up my phone number on Google. But in that moment, they want to talk.

TOM:
Exactly. And that little “Hey, got a minute?”— That can lead to life-changing conversations.

HENRY:
And all of this ties back to God’s presence and concern.

Hebrews 1:14 says:

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”

So, back to the idea of the chaplain’s parish:
It’s not a district or a territory—it’s a zone of divine visitation.

Wherever God shows up through you—that’s your parish:

  • A hospital room

  • A courtroom

  • A recovery shelter

  • A grief support group

  • A strip club

  • A youth camp

  • An online chat

  • Even a golf course

HENRY (continued):
Now let me geek out just a little for the ministry crowd here…

The Greek word episkopos, often translated as bishop or overseer, literally conveys the idea of visitation and oversight. Isn’t that fascinating?

So a chaplain carries sacred presence. They visit, care, and guard.

This reflects angelic ministry patterns:

  • Show up at the right time

  • Speak peace

  • Tell the truth

  • Strengthen the weary

  • Point to Christ—not self

Not supernatural, but supernaturally filled.
Chaplains carry the Spirit’s warmth, Christ’s compassion, and God’s healing presence.

When they leave, people sense:

God was near. Is near. Will be near.

HENRY:
Final words for this metaphor?

You are sent.
You may be the only “angel” someone ever meets.

And yes, I do believe God sends real angels.
But He also sends you—the living metaphor.

Be gentle.
Be bold.
Be present.

You are part of God’s host—sent to bring heaven’s touch into Earth’s pain.

TOM:
I think the metaphor fits perfectly.

I especially liked what you said earlier—that angels don’t say much, but what they do say makes a difference.

And bringing heaven’s touch to Earth’s pain—that’s just… that’s it.

There was an old hymn I loved as a child:

“Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.”

The chaplain is often a piece of that healing. It’s a privilege to be even a piece of that.

HENRY:
Amen.

We’ve got one more presentation to go, and honestly, I’m feeling a little sad that this class is ending.

But before we finish, we just want you to reflect on this:

Are you called to be someone’s angel?
To be the quiet, steady presence of God’s love in a hurting world?

Because we believe you are.

آخر تعديل: الخميس، 26 يونيو 2025، 12:37 م