Community chaplains are individuals who offer compassionate support during times of trauma, hardship, grief, and despair. These “grass-root-level practitioners” complement the work of medical professionals and emergency services by providing a caring presence when people need it most.

In 2025, the Nambour and Hinterland region will see the launch of Friends of Community Chaplaincy, an initiative dedicated to training and supporting community chaplains to assist those facing life’s challenges. The movement will begin with a team of volunteers who will be trained to offer help at no cost to community members.

Led by Mark Wall, an experienced community chaplain, the initiative will operate under the Sanctuary Park Nambour Church of Christ’s organisational structure and will be funded by donations. Mark Wall has extensive experience, having led rural chaplaincy services during Queensland’s severe drought. His work focused on supporting farmers, preventing suicides, and mobilising volunteers to provide labour assistance to struggling farms.

Mark Wall and his wife Jo, a registered nurse and midwife, are well-known in the local community. In addition to his chaplaincy work, Mark has 26 years of pastoral ministry experience and was instrumental in founding the Nambour Men’s Shed. His work continues to benefit many individuals, including those experiencing homelessness in the region.

The Friends of Community Chaplaincy initiative aims to bring together people who have a natural gift for helping others. The group will begin by training new chaplains and developing a supportive network of like-minded volunteers. By remaining a non-denominational, Christian-based movement, Friends of Community Chaplaincy will follow the philosophy of Jesus—offering care to all, without judgment.

School Chaplaincy Field Development Manager for SU Australia, Mark Horsfall, spoke highly of the initiative, saying, “In times of darkness, we often find our greatest light through the compassionate presence of those who walk alongside us.”

The public is warmly invited to learn more about the initiative by attending a café-style forum on Saturday, October 26th at 9:30 am at Sanctuary Park in Nambour. The forum will be a chance to discuss the vision of Friends of Community Chaplaincy and connect with others who share a passion for supporting their community.

• For more information, or to share your thoughts, you can email Mark Wall at mark.wall@spcofcn.org.au or check out the Community Group Facebook page titled ‘Friends of Community Chaplaincy’.