A Link in the Chain: The quiet ministry of a military chaplain
As a military chaplain, Chris Willis is used to being surprised, always ready to meet the day and whatever it may hold. Chris doesn’t always know what he is walking into. From pay discrepancies to marital issues, he deals with it all. He knows the 300-400 people in the Regiment by name and they refer to Chris fondly as “padre”. As a chaplain, Chris is always there for those on the base, they confide in him, they pray together, and he shows up and truly listens to them.
In the military, a chaplain is sometimes referred to as a “sin-bosun”, a “bosun” is a term for the worst job on a ship, cleaning up messes and handling the tasks no one else wants to do. Within the confines of his four walls, Chris can hear a lot. Life is not always simple and when it comes to people sharing with him, Chris does not want them to feel like they need to put a filter on who they are. He accepts them, dark humour and all, because he wants them to feel safe. He prioritizes where people are, not where he wants them to be.
One of Chris’s most powerful tools in ministry is prayer. He carefully gauges someone’s background and if they would be receptive to prayer before he asks if it would be okay to pray for them. Often, the people he prays with have never prayed before, but Chris is consistently encouraged by the transformative power of prayer. He has seen firsthand how, in moments of despair, a simple prayer can help lift someone’s spirit and bring peace.
In the military, a chaplain is sometimes referred to as a “sin-bosun”, a “bosun” is a term for the worst job on a ship, cleaning up messes and handling the tasks no one else wants to do.
Previously, Chris was a pastor, where he did a lot of preaching and telling people how it is. But in his current role as a chaplain, Chris has learned that the most important thing he can do is listen and be fully present. Chaplaincy, at its core, is a ministry of being there—simply showing up and listening. Some soldiers only talk about things with others who have been through similar things. Chris doesn’t rush to solve their problems or provide immediate answers; instead, he listens deeply, creating a space where soldiers feel heard and understood. Through these conversations, themes of suffering, resilience, and mindfulness naturally arise. Forgiveness—both giving and receiving—often becomes a central part of the journey. By being fully present in these moments, Chris doesn’t simply give them the solution to their problem but helps them find their own.
Chris is there for those in his Regiment, whether he’s playing a game of hockey or cards, or helping those in his care walk through issues they have at home or work. He is there for them all, praying for and with them. Ultimately, Chris’s mission is to be a link in the chain that leads others to a deeper understanding of God. Whether through conversation, prayer, or simply offering a listening ear, his goal is to guide those around him toward healing, hope, and a relationship with their Heavenly Padre.
