Serving Police,

COWLITZ CHAPLAINCY HISTORY
Like members of our military services First Responder personnel can benefit from an ‘in-house’ chaplain program.  They often need a safe insider with whom to express frustrations, challenges, accomplishments and victories… personal, family or job-related.

Following the experience of the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980, then Sheriff Les Nelson recognized the need for a special service to First Responders and citizens of Cowlitz County.  In March 1983, Sheriff Nelson’s dream became a reality as a cadre of local pastors began serving as ‘volunteer chaplains’ covering the county “24-7”.      
  
Since its beginnings Cowlitz Chaplaincy has expanded services and built a reputation for being a service where First Responders and their families as well as citizens benefit from this ministry. Currently we have two (2) full-time chaplains, Lyle Prather and Steve White. A group of volunteer pastors rotate coverage each month to supplement our full-time chaplains.

Working side-by-side with local emergency services personnel our chaplains are professionally trained and equipped to provide what we refer to as the “Ministry of Presence” whenever and wherever a crisis occurs.