We all know Joe Modica as Eastern’s Chaplain, leader of Chapel on Wednesdays and Head of the Student Chaplain Program. The Chaplain Program is an important part of Eastern’s ministry for students, but what exactly do they do?
Chaplains are in every building there for every student, typically residents, but you are also able to get in contact with a chaplain if you aren’t a resident. There are male and female chaplains for different genders, yet the chaplains would love to help anyone who needs them. “Chaplains provide pastoral care, spiritual guidance and support as well as offer comfort and care during crisis support,” sophomore chaplain Alyssa Morais said.
Now these characteristics may remind you of your RA or the RA’s in your building, and although chaplains and RAs work closely together, it is a common misconception that they do the same thing. RAs tend to handle the more emergent side of resident life, including calling Public Safety, Plant Operations, EMS, Police, etc. The RAs handle the physical side of being a resident on campus, while the Chaplains tend to handle more spiritual and mental problems. “We do our best to work together for the betterment of our halls and the betterment of our residents who, at the core, is what is most important to us,” senior Chaplain Sydney Shine said.
The chaplains are there to help no matter what emotional or spiritual problems a student is going through. They also host Grow Groups for women and Bro Group for guys. These groups provide a time of fellowship that includes Bible study and talking with other people in your halls about life on campus and how to connect more to God and your faith.
The chaplains are here to help you and all have different backgrounds and life experiences that drew them to this role. Although they aren’t perfect, their knowledge and willingness to show God’s example can be useful to all who want it. “Student chaplains are always here to help and listen with no judgement. We understand that nobody is perfect but Jesus himself and that all of us fall short,” sophomore Chaplain Evan Moore said.
If you need to find your chaplain, check the duty board in your building. Chaplains are willing and able to help you in times of spiritual or mental crisis. “We are members of the body of Christ, for members or our community… [Chaplaincy is] loving with Christ-centered devotion!” Shine said.