National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces
P. O. Box 7572
​Arlington, VA
22207-9998
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MISSION

VISION

NCMAF connects member faith groups with military and VA chaplaincies, and celebrates the religious diversity of the United States of America.
NCMAF will advocate for the First Amendment and provide a unified voice on religious freedom and religious diversity.


Distinctive

We are Protestant and Roman Catholic, Jewish and Orthodox, Buddhist and Islamic and span the total theological spectrum of religious life in the United States.  As such, we are a uniquely American organization, sustained by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and found nowhere else in the world.  Our members represent all major faith communities in America in a mutually supportive relationship.

Who We Are

Our members endorse chaplains for service in the Armed Forces on behalf of their respective  religious organizations.  They are the point of contact between the Department of Defense and over 150 religious denominations and faith groups. We  recruit, endorse and provide oversight for clergy-persons who desire to serve as chaplains in any one of the branches of our Armed Forces. Our common vision is  clergy-persons  who are credible, committed to their faith, open to all persons, able to meet all military standards, and who represent the highest standards of their faith communities. 

   ECVAC

 The Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC) is a standing committee of NCMAF.  ECVAC’s focus is endorsing clergy-persons for service as chaplains in  VA hospitals. ECVAC serves as a liaison between  American religious communities and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Our History

We began in 1982 as a private, non-profit, organization, but our roots go back to 1901 when the War Department decided  to require ecclesiastical endorsement for clergy-persons  as a prerequisite for service as chaplains in the Armed Forces.

Support

Most of our support comes from our member religious organizations but it is donations from individuals, offerings from faith communities, and grants from foundations that allow us  to accomplish our mission. If you believe in chaplaincy in the Armed Forces and VA hospitals, or support religious freedom in America, please donate to NCMAF today using the button below.  Alternatively,  you may send a check to NCMAF, P.O. Box 7572, Arlington, VA 22207-9998.  All gifts are tax-deductible.   
Donate Today

NCMAF Staff

Executive Director

Executive Assistant

Director of ​Training, Programs, and Research

Jack Lea, ED @ NCMAF.com
Christina Richards, ​Christina @ NCMAF.com
Ken Bush, training @ NCMAF.com​

NCMAF Executive Committee

Chair

Chair-Elect

Secretary

​Treasurer

​​ECVAC Representative

Members at Large

Ex-Officio Member

Derek Jones, The Anglican Church in North America
Robert Cannon, Roman Catholic Church
​Craig Muehler, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 
​Carl Wright, Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of ​The Episcopal Church ​
​Lyman Smith, Presbyterian Council for Chaplains 
Theodore Boback, Orthodox Church in America
Gary Carr, Wesleyan Church
Sanford Dresin, Aleph Institute
Randy Edwards, Southern Baptist Convention
Klon Kitchen, Chaplaincy Full Gospel Churches
Sarah Roelofs, Christian Reformed Church in North America
Richard Roggia, ​Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
Bobby Smith, Baptist General Convention of Texas
Steve West, ​National Association of Evangelicals 
Sarah Lammert, Unitarian Universalist Church

Mailing Address

P. O. Box 7572
​Arlington, VA
22207-9998
"It is a hardship upon the Regiment I think, to be denied a Chaplain." 

[SOURCE: George Washington to Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia, 4/29/1757, The Writings of George Washington, 2:33)

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