Jackie A. Segal

When I gave my whole life to Jesus, everything changed—not just my circumstances, but my spirit, my purpose, and my very heartbeat. He took charge of me, and the life I once knew was made new. Jesus gave me a new heart, tender and teachable. He renewed my Spirit, and I wake each day refreshed in Him. Ezekiel 36:26 says, I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Learning about what Jesus has done—and what He is still doing—is not a burden. It’s the deepest desire of my heart. I long to become more like Him: to help others, to give when I can, to share the good news, and to sit across from someone over a simple meal and truly listen. That’s ministry. That’s being a good neighbor. That’s walking in the Spirit. Psalm 23:3 says, “The Lord refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” This is the life I now live—not for myself, but for the One who saved me. And every prayer I write, every word I speak, every act of kindness I offer reflects His mercy and grace.

Before making any life-altering decisions—whether in ministry, career, relationships, or personal growth—we must pause and seek the Lord. The Holy Spirit is not a backup plan; He is our guide, counselor, and source of wisdom. Scripture reminds us in 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV), “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” That stewardship begins with surrender. Stop and pray. Ask God what He has in store for your week, month, and life. Don’t rush the answer—listen for His voice, not your own. Start small, obey the gentle nudges, and trust that He will lead you forward in His timing. Before you move, fast. Before you speak, pray. Before you decide, listen. Let the Holy Spirit go before you and prepare the way. Proverbs 3:5–6 affirms this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This is spiritual advice and a lifestyle of discernment, humility, and obedience. As chaplains, leaders, and believers, we must model what it means to wait on God, walk in wisdom, and serve with clarity and grace.

Step into this calling with your whole heart, but never without prayer. Chaplaincy is not just a career, especially in fire services, corrections, and crisis response. It’s a covenant. You will walk into places where pain is raw, dignity is fragile, and hope feels distant. But you are not alone. The Holy Spirit goes before you, and Jesus walks beside you. Know your worth before you wear the title. Your uniform, your credentials, or your access do not define you. You are defined by the One who called you. Let your identity be rooted in Christ, not in comparison. You will be underestimated—sometimes ignored, sometimes challenged—but never let that shake your calling. Speak with grace, stand with conviction, and serve with excellence. Prepare yourself spiritually and academically. Study the Word. Pursue training. Ask hard questions. Learn the language of trauma, grief, and restoration. And when you feel overwhelmed, return to the altar. That’s where clarity lives. Above all, lead with love. Listen more than you speak. Pray before you respond. And remember: your presence may be the only glimpse of Jesus someone sees that day. So let your light shine—not for applause, but for impact. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” —Proverbs 31:25 “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” —1 Timothy 4:12

One of the most significant challenges in chaplaincy and trauma ministry today is the rising tide of burnout and compassion fatigue. Chaplains are being called into increasingly complex and emotionally demanding environments—fire scenes, correctional facilities, hospitals, and crisis response units—where trauma is not just personal but collective. The weight of grief, moral injury, and institutional pressure can leave even seasoned leaders spiritually depleted. Many face role ambiguity, limited resources, and expectations that conflict with their pastoral instincts, making it difficult to serve with clarity and conviction. Yet within these challenges lie profound opportunities. There is a growing movement toward trauma-responsive ministry models that integrate theological depth with emotional care, offering healing to those we serve and the ministers themselves. Collaborative networks, mentorship, and peer support are helping chaplains build sustainable practices and reduce isolation. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and scripture meditation are recognized as personal nourishment and preventative care against burnout. Perhaps most powerfully, chaplains are stepping into public theology and advocacy, using their voice to address systemic injustice, domestic violence, suicide, and suffering with both compassion and authority. Isaiah 61:1 declares, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives.” In this season, chaplains can be both healers and heralds—bringing light into the darkest places with wisdom, resilience, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

In my ministry to first responders and correctional officers—where trauma, silence, and emotional weight often go unspoken—the values I hold most sacred are presence, dignity, and hope. As a volunteer chaplain, I honor the roles these men and women carry, often under immense pressure and unseen burdens. When I step into their world, I do so as a vessel of peace—someone who recognizes and affirms the humanity of those who serve, even when the world overlooks them. I listen without judgment, speak with clarity, and pray with power, knowing that sometimes the most healing act is to be present. Preventing suicide is not merely a goal—it is a sacred mission. It demands trust, discernment, and the courage to interrupt despair with truth and tenderness. I value spiritual depth over surface solutions and strive to lead with theological wisdom and emotional intelligence. In my personal life, I live what I preach: integrity, generosity, and a heart that breaks bread with the broken. I believe in meeting people where they are, offering comfort without condition and truth without compromise. Proverbs 24:11 declares, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” This verse calls me to speak life where others see only ruin. As chaplains, we are sent into crisis—not to retreat, but to rescue. Whether through prayer, creative ministry, or quiet presence, we do not hold back. We confront despair with truth, light, and humility. John 1:5 reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” To me, this means that Jesus is the light of the world, and no darkness—no trauma, no abuse, no violence—can extinguish His presence. My prayer is that no one should walk alone in pain, abuse, or fear. And if they do, I will stand in the gap for them, guiding them through the storm with compassion and strength. Because at the end of the day, we are a community—brothers and sisters, united in love, called to carry one another through.