Called to Care: Chaplaincy Residency Highlights Growing Need for Holistic Ministry

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — For Pastor Elaine Cruz, ministry is not defined by sermons alone but by presence — the quiet, steady act of walking alongside individuals in life’s most vulnerable moments.

That conviction has led her to a significant milestone: a chaplaincy residency at Pine Rest Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, a nationally respected mental health facility. The opportunity not only marks the final stage in her journey toward endorsement as a Seventh-day Adventist chaplain but also reflects a broader shift toward holistic spiritual care — a mission championed by Time for Equality in Adventist Ministry (TEAM).

Cruz said her calling emerged from years of ministry experience, where she observed a disconnect between traditional pastoral care and the deeper needs of individuals facing grief, fear and uncertainty.

“Too often, care meant offering quick religious answers rather than creating space for deep human struggle,” Cruz said. “Spiritual care is about presence — being with people in their real-life dilemmas without judgment.”

Chaplaincy, she said, creates space for that kind of ministry — one rooted not in immediate solutions but in empathy, listening and spiritual companionship.

Cruz has completed the foundational requirements for chaplaincy endorsement, including earning a Master of Divinity and finishing a chaplaincy internship. Her acceptance into a one-year residency program represents the final phase of her clinical pastoral education.

Her placement at Pine Rest is particularly significant. While the Seventh-day Adventist Church operates a wide network of hospitals, it does not currently have facilities dedicated exclusively to mental health care. As a result, Cruz’s residency may position her among the first Adventist chaplains to complete formal training in a mental health setting.

“This is a step forward in how we understand ministry,” she said. “Caring for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — is essential.”

The residency will focus heavily on self-awareness, emotional intelligence and personal integration, equipping chaplains to engage patients with authenticity and clinical competence. Cruz said she is especially drawn to the program’s emphasis on vulnerability and growth.

“I want to serve out of wholeness, not performance,” she said. “That requires deep personal work as well as spiritual grounding.”

However, the opportunity also presents financial challenges. Unlike most hospital-based residency programs, Pine Rest requires a $3,000 tuition fee. Combined with relocation costs and the higher cost of living in Grand Rapids, the financial burden is significant despite a modest annual stipend.

Support from organizations like TEAM plays a critical role in bridging that gap.

TEAM’s Women in Ministry Scholarship Fund exists to empower women pursuing ministry across a variety of fields, including chaplaincy, pastoral leadership, education and media. By providing financial assistance and advocacy, the organization helps remove barriers that often limit access to theological education and professional training.

One applicant, Ezrica Bennett, reflects the broader impact of TEAM’s mission.

Bennett, a Jamaican-born theology student at Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles, is pursuing a master’s degree while actively engaged in ministry and professional writing. Her work includes developing online courses for the North American Division, contributing to Spectrum Magazine, writing devotional materials for AdventSource and creating Sabbath School curriculum for young adults.

Despite her extensive involvement, Bennett faces financial constraints common among international students. Without family support or access to student loans, she relies on scholarships to continue her education. Her annual tuition approaches $20,000, with additional costs for books and living expenses.

“I hope to continue writing for the Adventist Church and eventually become a professor,” Bennett said in her application. “This scholarship is essential to helping me fulfill that calling.”

Together, the stories of Cruz and Bennett illustrate the diverse pathways women are taking in ministry — and the importance of sustained support along the way.

For Cruz, the residency is more than a professional requirement; it is a transformative step in becoming the kind of spiritual caregiver she believes people need most — one who listens deeply, responds compassionately and walks faithfully with others through life’s most complex challenges.

For TEAM, these journeys affirm the organization’s purpose: investing in women called to serve and strengthening the future of ministry through equity, access and intentional support.

As the need for holistic spiritual care continues to grow, leaders say empowering women like Cruz and Bennett is not only an investment in individuals but in the broader mission of the church itself.