The Evangelical Chaplains Commission provides support and endorsement for evangelicals to minister as chaplains in the military and in civilian capacities. The Commission also connects and convenes the chaplain ministries of evangelical denominations, making it the largest representative body of chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans Administration.

The Commission provides ongoing support of its chaplains and their families through training conferences, visitation and regular correspondence. We share information that impacts chaplain ministry and also provide assistance to churches that partner with individual chaplains through prayer and friendship.

The Evangelical Chaplains Commission was formed in 1944 by the National Association of Evangelicals to assist evangelical chaplains in the military. The Evangelical Chaplains Commission directly endorses about 100 chaplains and candidates, and brings together many denominational chaplains ministries to network and resource together.

Although the ECC operates under the authority and as a part of the National Association of Evangelicals, the operational budget comes from dues assessed through organizational members and endorsed chaplains. The Evangelical Chaplains Commission elects its own officers. The Evangelical Chaplains Commission is an active member of The National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) and The Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC). These bodies include the official representatives of all major faith groups in the United States.

Meet the Team

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Steve West | Director

Chaplain Steve West, director of NAE Chaplaincy, served as an active duty chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Air Force and Army for 41 years, retiring from his distinguished career as an Air Force colonel. West is the author of “The Bronze Scar: Understanding How PTSD Feels to Help Victims and Those Who Support Them.” He is a graduate of University of Mobile, New Orleans Theological Seminary, Alabama Theological Seminary and the Department of Defense Joint Staff College.

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Brandon Doss | Associate Endorser

Brandon Doss is the associate endorser for the Evangelical Chaplains Commission. He is a founder and lead pastor at Cultivate Church (cultivatechurch.tv), a nondenominational multi-campus church in Shelby County, Alabama, planted in 2012. He's married to his wife, Danielle, and they have two children: Isabella Grace and Shepherd Liam. He received a B.A. in theology from Carolina University and is currently pursuing an M.Div. from Rockbridge Seminary in Springfield, Missouri.

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Juliana Lesher | Director of the Evangelical Board of Certified Chaplains

Juliana Lesher is the director of the Evangelical Board of Certified Chaplains (EBCC). She served as a chaplain for 26 years, including as the national director of chaplain service for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She currently pastors a church in Southern California. She is also the author of the book, “A Heart That Sings for Jesus.” She has a M. Div. from Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Regent University.

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Samantha Conway | Project and Sponsorship Manager

Samantha Conway manages sponsorship for the National Association of Evangelicals and also serves as project manager for NAE Financial Health. She also assists with the NAE Chaplaincy program. Conway earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Denison University.

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Karis Watts | Membership Coordinator

Karis Watts is an executive assistant with the Evangelical Chaplains Commission. She is also a stay-at-home mom, and seamstress, and serves at Cultivate Church in Shelby County, Alabama.