(The following article was published by AMBS, October 21, 2026)

Elkhart, Indiana (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) — Chaplains and pastoral care providers gathered Sept. 28–30, 2026, at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, for a symposium titled “Companions on the Way: Chaplaincy in Interfaith Contexts.” The event brought together approximately 40 practitioners and scholars to examine evolving research, trauma-informed caregiving, and both the joys and profound challenges of providing spiritual care in today’s fractured world. 

The conference — a collaborative effort of Nazareth Project, Inc., Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship, Mennonite Mission Network and AMBS — was made possible by a grant from the Schowalter Foundation. It included a special focus on the ministry of The Nazareth Hospital EMMS. 

For organizers, the gathering fulfilled a longstanding vision to bring together caregivers with expertise in diverse contexts to share their wisdom and insights with each other. 

“This has been our dream for several years — to highlight the chaplaincy program at The Nazareth Hospital while exploring themes of crosscultural and interfaith chaplaincy,” said Howard Good, Nazareth Project Executive Director. “The beautiful venue of AMBS’s Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount and the experiences shared by participants were a wonderful combination.” 

Over three days, participants engaged with pressing issues in modern caregiving as they listened to presentations by five keynote speakers: 

• Cate Beaulieu-Desjardins, MDiv, MPH, BCC, Executive Director of Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship, opened with research on the practice of shared humanity, noting the exceptional depth of the symposium.  

• Christine Farah, MA, LLB, Spiritual Care Practitioner and Counselor at The Nazareth Hospital EMMS in Israel, addressed conflict and social division by sharing firsthand insights on interfaith care amid war trauma. 

• Luis Rodriguez, DMin, ACPE, BCC, is Clinical Pastoral Education Director for Houston (Texas) Methodist Hospital, framed broader cultural challenges as he offered a multifaith framework for dialogue. 

• Sunghyun Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Psychology at AMBS, explored caregivers’ internal posture, examining mature empathy as a way to hold a person’s full contextual reality. 

• Leah R. Thomas, PhD, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care at AMBS, provided guidance on implementing trauma-informed practices at the intersection of spirituality and body memory. 

 Daily worship centered on Psalm 23, grounding the in-depth discussions in Scripture.  

For participants, the conference bridged theory with frontline ministry. Farah called the event the highlight of her U.S. visit, noting that “the sensitive worship times and sense of community blessed me personally in a way I didn’t expect.” 

Lee reflected, “‘Companions on the Way’ provided a powerful reminder that, indeed, we are not walking this road alone — and a true affirmation of our shared vocation.” 

Thomas added, “Hearing directly from chaplains in a variety of ministry settings — including The Nazareth Hospital — offered a candid look at the everyday joys and challenges of chaplaincy.” 

AMBS Campus Pastor Janeen Bertsche Johnson, DMin, reflected on planning the worship times: “As a parallel to the idea that chaplains are ‘Companions on the Way,’ I imagined the ways God is our companion — guiding, comforting and giving us hope. As a takeaway from the event, I was moved by the insight that as we show up for others and enter their heartbreak, we are led toward the infinity of God’s heart, which longs for wholeness for everyone.” 

Joe Sawatzky, PhD, Director of the AMBS Church Leadership Center and coordinator of the event, highlighted the core theme of hospitality: “As a Christian hospital serving Jews, Muslims, Christians and others, The Nazareth Hospital envisions chaplaincy as making room for others to feel at home and connecting on common ground. This connected beautifully with the image of God the Shepherd as our host and companion on life’s way.” 

Andi Santoso, MA, Regional Director for Asia and Middle East at Mennonite Mission Network, added that the gathering provided “a truly sacred space to practice deep compassion and walk alongside others through trauma, conflict and the search for hope.” 

AMBS President David Boshart, PhD, affirmed the seminary’s overarching commitment in co-sponsoring the event.  

“Hosting this conference reflects our deep commitment to equipping leaders who meet the world’s most pressing needs with Christlike compassion, offering chaplains both practical tools and spiritual grounding,” he said. 

The conference concluded with an invitation to consider short-term voluntary service at The Nazareth Hospital. Inquiries are welcome at npi@nazarethproject.org. 

Located in Elkhart, Indiana, on ancestral land of the Potawatomi and Miami peoples, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is a learning community with an Anabaptist vision, offering theological education for learners both on campus and at a distance as well as a wide array of lifelong learning programs — all with the goal of educating followers of Jesus Christ to be leaders for God’s reconciling mission in the world. ambs.edu 

Nazareth Project, Inc., supports the healthcare mission of The Nazareth Trust in Israel, which includes The Nazareth Hospital EMMS. 

Mennonite Health Fellowship is an association of Anabaptist healthcare professionals. mennohealth.org 

Mennonite Mission Network is the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA. mennonitemission.net