Firefighting Chaplain .com Biography

Chaplain Schwartz has been Fire Chaplain for the past 11 years and pastor of Living Faith World Outreach Centre in West Chester, PA for the past 14 years.

Fire departments by tradition have had someone in the role of chaplain since the beginning of the organized fire service. In many departments, a local clergy person has been appointed chaplain to handle emergency situations within the department, such as serious injury to fire department members, line-of-duty deaths, including notification of family members. Chaplains have fulfilled a traditional ceremonial role by giving the invocation at fire department functions, and conducting weddings and funerals for fire department family members.

What is a Fire Department Chaplain?
A chaplain provides a spiritual presence linking both the department and public together in the common goal of seeking to protect life, property, health and well-being. A chaplain's role is not to evangelize, proselytize, or moralize, but rather to represent God in a way that is inclusive, respectful and sensitive to all faith traditions, regardless of church, religion, or philosophy. He or she operates on the belief that all people are spiritual beings (while everyone may not be connected to an organized religion). He is present to respond to the different emotional or spiritual needs that arise. The chaplain is a person in the

department with whom conversations can be
held in complete confidentiality.

Chaplain responsibilities include:

being a pastoral presence to the fire fighters and their families.
celebrating religious ceremonies, conducting invocations at department functions such as awards ceremonies, dinners and dedications or other events.
providing confidential counseling with those struggling with issues of crisis, loss and/or stress.
visiting those who are sick, or hospitalized.
praying for the members of, and services provided by the Fire Department.
attending the scene of a fire or accident to be a pastoral presence for those in need.)
being "on call" for anyone in the Fire Department, or the community at large, in times of crisis.
making every effort to be available to listen to the problems and concerns within the Department and to share the grief, sorrows, and the joys, both individually and collectively.

Chaplain Schwartz is on call 24 hours a day for emergency situations, hospital visitations, or other crisis needs. As an ordained minister, he is also available for pastoral needs such as counseling, memorial services, baby dedications/baptisms and participation in Fire Department weddings.

Click here for information about Living Faith World Outreach Centre in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where Chaplain Schwartz is pastor.

Firefighter's Prayer

This is page is dedicated to all the fallen firefighters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to those who put themselves out there everyday.

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me strength to save a life
Whatever be its age.

Let me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
To give the best in me,
To guard my friend and neighbor
And protect their property.

And, if, according to your will,
I have to lose my life,
Please bless, with your protecting hand,
My family and my wife.

Prayers You Can Pray

Almighty God, Protector of all Mankind,
Your Strength, Power, and Wisdom
are a beacon of light to all men and women:
Give special guidance to Firefighters
so that they may be protected from harm
while performing their duty:
Help them with your loving care
while they work to save lives and property
of all people young and old:
Give them the courage,
the alertness to protect their neighbors
and all others whom they are pledged to aid
when involved in fire or accident.
Amen

Lord God, I recognize my need for you.
Thank you for giving so much for me.
I recognize my need for you.
I believe in You and Your power
to change my life.
I want to live for you all my days.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen

About Living Faith
World Outreach Centre

Living Faith World Outreach Centre is located on High Street in West Chester, PA. We are a
non-denominational church that welcomes all to join us.

Our services are held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. We offer childcare and Sunday School for ages 0-12 on Sunday morning and ages 0-16 on Wednesday evenings.

Our address is:
910 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19382

Visit us at www.faith-alive.org

Dedicated to the brave men and women
who have given their lives while serving

Do You Have Eternal Security?

The Bible gives us a wonderful promise that we can be secure, regardless of the circumstances we are facing, even death. In the Bible, Jesus spoke of this very fact. He said "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." John 5:24

There is no good deed that will help you earn this security and there is nothing you've done in the past that will make you unable to receive it. The Bible says "whoever has the Son (Jesus), has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life." 1 John 5:12

All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart. He will help you in the circumstances of your life, comfort you in times of need, give you peace in the middle of the storms of life, and give you joy even when things all around you are a mess.

Pray this simple prayer, and allow Jesus into your heart:

"Dear God, You know I have messed up in the past, but Your Bible says that if I will ask you into my heart, you will forget my past and give me a bright future. I want you with me wherever I go. Thank you for giving me peace, joy, and eternal life forever."

You have just passed from death to life forever! Now get in contact with a local church to get around those who can help you grow in your new relationship with God, the greatest relationship you will ever have!