As the Chaplain of the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemen's Association, perhaps a few people would like to know something about me. I have been a United Methodist Pastor since 1979. I am currently the Pastor of the Mount Cory and Pleasant View United Methodist Churches. I have been married for twenty-nine years and have a twenty-four year old daughter who is a medical assistant and is employed in Ada, Ohio.

In the year 2000, I joined the Adams Township / Rosewood Volunteer Fire Department and was asked to serve as their Chaplain in 2002. I received training for and joined the Federation of Fire Chaplains in 2004. In 2008, I received my Advance Certification for Chaplaincy (130 hours of advance classes) and was one of sixteen Fire and EMS Chaplains that formed the Ohio Federation of Fire Chaplains (OFFC) and currently serve as their Secretary and Treasurer.

As a United Methodist Pastor, I tend to move around a lot. Following my three years in Rosewood, I served on the Hicksville Fire Department as a Firefighter and Chaplain. There I also became the Chaplain for the Defiance County Fire Chiefs Association.

Currently I am beginning my fifth year as a member of the Union Township / Mount Cory Volunteer Fire Department where I serve as a Firefighter and Chaplain. I am also a member of the Allen County Critical Incident Stress Management team.

I am very honored to be appointed as the Chaplain of the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemen's Association. I follow in the footsteps of a great teacher, Rick Vasick who encouraged me to apply for the position. His leadership and experienced will be greatly missed.

It is part of the mission of the Ohio Federation of Fire Chaplains to help establish a Chaplain's program in every Fire Department and EMS Squad in Ohio. If I can be of any assistance to any department, please contact me at (567) 208-3543 or at the e-mail address of: ohioffc08@yahoo.com

Serving Those Who Serve,

Chaplain Jerry Lewis