In your peaceful homes remember our brave soldiers, whether in camp or battle. Oh, may their love of country, and their faithful service thereof, be unto them life-preservers!
—Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 14
In order to help address the unique circumstances of military service, The Mother Church provides ministry to service members and their families through two main avenues: professional military chaplains and volunteer Christian Science representatives.
The military chaplaincy is an avenue for serving God, church, country, and humanity in an especially rewarding way. Practicing Christian Science in uniform, military chaplains bring The Mother Church’s healing response to men and women in the US armed forces wherever they are stationed. Military chaplains help ensure the free exercise of religion for all service members, as well as provide special ministry to Christian Scientists.
Connecting with a Military Chaplain
If you are a Christian Scientist in the US military, a chaplain from The Mother Church is available to support you. Benefits include:
Metaphysical support
Connection to Christian Science church services while deployed
Help in obtaining Christian Science periodicals and resources
Fellowship with the greater community of Christian Science service members
Assistance receiving religious accommodation to practice Christian Science while in the military
Please fill out the Armed Services Personnel Registration form. A chaplain will contact you shortly.
The following chaplains are currently serving:
Brian Bort (Navy)
Brian Bort grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, where he worked as a track coach after college. He received a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry and Literature before joining going into the military chaplaincy. Brian joined the Navy and went on active duty in 2018. He has served as the chaplain for the USS Shiloh, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. He is currently serving in Okinawa, Japan.
Michael Brown (Navy Reserve)
Michael was commissioned into the Navy’s Chaplain Candidate Program in 2010 and was commissioned as an active duty chaplain in 2012. He served as a staff chaplain aboard Naval Station Norfolk from 2013-2016. He then reported to his first Marine Corps assignment as battalion chaplain with 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division in CA. In April 2017, he transferred to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, and deployed to the Middle East, serving his unit spread across Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Afghanistan in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom. From September 2018 through October 2020, Michael served as the command chaplain for the cruiser USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN based in San Diego, CA. He then transferred to Kings Bay, GA, to serve as the command chaplain for Submarine Group 10 and Submarine Readiness Squadron 36. In June 2023, Michael concluded his active duty service and transferred to the Navy Reserves in Denver, CO, serving with Religious Ministry Support Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Keith Connor (Navy)
Keith is currently serving as a U.S. Navy Chaplain with the U.S. Coast Guard, as Command Chaplain for Sector New York and Sector Long Island Sound. Based in Staten Island, he covers 28 units with an area of responsibility stretching from Montauk to Sandy Hook, NJ, including the harbor of New York. Previously he served for three years as the Command Chaplain for the USS MOUNT WHITNEY, the U.S. Navy’s SIXTH FLEET Flagship, homeported in Gaeta, Italy. While onboard, he took part in U.S. Navy operations and joint NATO operations in the Baltic, Black, and North Seas, along the African Coastline and in the Mediterranean.
Roger Gordon (Army National Guard)
After completing an assignment as battalion chaplain for a sustainment unit in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), where he deployed to the Middle East, Roger stepped down from active duty chaplaincy to take a civilian job as Spiritual Life Program Manager for Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. However, he happily continues to serve as a chaplain in the Missouri Army National Guard. He is currently assigned to an infantry battalion based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Kelsey Lyon (Air National Guard)
Kelsey has been passionate about Christian Science since she was a child. She had an interest in chaplaincy for years before feeling God's call to move forward with The Mother Church's Military Chaplain Training program. Kelsey was commissioned as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves in December 2019. She transferred to the Air National Guard in May 2022 and currently serves at Otis Air National Guard Base in Cape Cod. She also works full-time at The Mother Church for the Committees on Publication.
Sarah Sampas (Air Force)
Sarah Sampas became a chaplain candidate in the Air Force in 2014 and entered active duty as a chaplain in 2016. She is currently stationed at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. She loves to be out with her squadrons but also supports chapel programs and occasionally preaches. She and her family are grateful for their many adventures in the Air Force chaplaincy.
Catherine Trevor-Roberts (Air Force)
Catherine Trevor-Roberts’ path to chaplaincy has been a unique one. Though she was not a “chaplain”, she found God guiding her to do activities and to be employed in jobs that were preparing her for the chaplaincy. These experiences made being a chaplain a natural fit. She became a chaplain candidate in the Air Force in 2019 and entered active duty in 2023. She is currently stationed at Cannon AFB in New Mexico. She and her family are humbled, honored and blessed to be on this new adventure!
To contact a Christian Science chaplain directly, email: christiansciencechaplain@csps.com
Becoming a Military Chaplain
If you are a practicing Christian Scientist who wants to serve as a chaplain in the US military, we’d love to hear from you! Applicants must meet the US military’s age, fitness and citizenship requirements prior to acceptance into the Military Chaplain Training Program, as well as the US military’s religious education requirements prior to becoming a chaplain.
The Military Chaplain Training Program has three components:
formal seminary education
regular training under the auspices of The Mother Church
practical field experience. Applicants must meet both the military’s requirements for chaplains and The Mother Church’s requirements.
For more information pertaining to military and The Mother Church requirements, or to request an application for the training program, contact the Christian Science Military Chaplain Endorsing Agent.
Christian Science Representatives
Christian Science service members who are interested in providing Christian Science services in locations where no branch church services are available, particularly when deployed, can apply with The Mother Church to become a Christian Science Representative within the US military.
Currently, a small number of civilian Christian Science Representatives provide Sunday School or Church services on several military training installations where basic trainees cannot attend local Christian Science churches.
For more information please contact the Christian Science Military Chaplain Endorsing Agent.