Huffman ultimately was accepted to the Chaplain
Candidate Program with the intent of becoming a Navy chaplain. Turns out this is common: research shows that two-thirds of active chaplains had prior military experience, said Eric Wester, director for ELCA federal chaplaincy ministries. “Members of the military experience something
through the [work] of chaplains that they step out of the military long enough to go to seminary to return as ordained ministers or chaplains,” said Wester, an Army chaplain for 32 years. “It certainly seems to me there must be an element of inspiration and admiration for the work and witness of the chaplains that they’ve seen.” Before candidates can enter a specialized
ministry like chaplaincy, they must have three years of pastoral experience. Huffman will spend his time at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, Va., working alongside Stephen Bohannon. Huffman’s experience will be an asset since
roughly half of parishioners are former or current military. “[We’re] in a community that has a strong connection to the U.S. Navy and armed services,” Bohannon said. “So he immediately has a connection with our population and has spoken about his sense of call—coming out of the situations he’s been in, in both the military and police work and dealing with the human dynamics in life in the most difficult situations, [he was] hearing God’s call. We’re excited about that.” Whether Huffman decides to pursue
chaplaincy after three years is a conversation for a later date, he said, but he hopes to continue his call at St. Michael until his gifts are no longer needed there. “This is a chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do, I just won’t have the uniform,” he said. “And that’s fine with me. I’m not concerned about the uniform.”
Using his gifts In many military communities it’s not uncommon for active or even retired military personnel to attend chapel on base because they find that chaplains are trained to address their unique needs. “Pastors are not trained for [this type of service] very much because those are needs that you don’t find in congregations overall,” Huffman said. As a pastor with a military background, Huffman
has credibility among those who have served. “One of the reasons I went to seminary is I
started getting phone calls—especially when I started doing work for nonprofits for veterans— [where people asked me], ‘How do you still believe in God after what we’ve seen together?’ ” Huffman said. “They wouldn’t go to a pastor to ask that question.” So why does Huffman still believe in God? “For me, after what I’ve seen and what humanity is
capable of, the only way I can reconcile that the world still spins around is there has to be a God,” he said. “We could have killed each other off years ago … . I’m a greater pessimist [than many]. I don’t believe the world could continue to live without God.” Huffman’s genuine faith, coupled with his
down-to-earth, approachable attitude, is one of his greatest gifts, his father said. “There is no difference between Nathan the
man, Nathan the cop, Nathan the Marine, Nathan the seminarian-awaiting-ordination. He’s the same guy. There’s a holistic sense [of who he is],” Jim Huffman said. “This guy has heart and faith that is a part of who he is.”
Grimoldby is a freelance writer living in Salem, Wis.
MISSION & MINISTRY •
LIVINGLUTHERAN.ORG 37
Photo: Courtesy of Nathan Huffman
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