Africa University pioneers military chaplaincy program

09 Apr Africa University pioneers military chaplaincy program

In May, Africa University, in partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary, will grant degrees to its first Doctor of Military Chaplaincy cohort.

Key points:

• Accredited by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, the program addresses the spiritual, ethical and psychological needs of uniformed forces personnel across the continent.
• Participants come from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• The ripple effects of equipping chaplains with advanced pastoral care skills and theological insight are expected to extend far beyond the barracks.

In May, Africa University’s first Doctor of Military Chaplaincy cohort will graduate, thanks to a partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary. This groundbreaking initiative – the first of its kind in Africa – represents a historic milestone for Africa University and the entire continent. Accredited by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, the program addresses the spiritual, ethical and psychological needs of uniformed forces personnel across the continent.

The first Doctor of Military Chaplaincy graduates hail from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each brings their own perspectives and critical research to the table, reflecting the breadth and depth of challenges faced by military, prison and police chaplains.

Their projects explore such issues as trauma healing, suicide prevention, marriage counseling and predeployment spiritual preparation, all deeply rooted in theological and biblical frameworks. Research topics range from the role of chaplains in addressing deployment trauma and reducing drug abuse among officers to the use of Psalms of lament for facilitating healing in families of inmates. These studies contribute meaningfully to African and global knowledge and offer practical solutions for building strong, resilient and peaceful communities.

This program aligns with Africa University’s overarching vision: fostering leadership and capacity-building to drive transformation across the continent. The strategic training is essential in shaping uniformed forces as agents of peace and reconciliation in their communities. The ripple effects of equipping chaplains with advanced pastoral care skills and theological insight are expected to extend far beyond the barracks.

The newly accredited program offers exciting new options for specialization by future D. Min candidates, such as mission and evangelism, liturgical theology, church and administration, church and society, and chaplaincy ministry.

Critical to the new program’s success is the support of Chaplain Lt. Col. (retired) David Lile, formerly of the U.S. Army Africa Command, based in Rome, Italy, now at home in Kentucky.

Together, Africa University and Wesley Theological Seminary are forging pathways to more peaceful, resilient societies, one chaplain at a time.