CHAMPS ministers to patients, others in the community

Texas Health’s pastoral department and chaplaincy program help the community’s overall health

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital has a long-standing history of community engagement and wanted to connect more with local religious leaders. The CHAMPS program — Congregational Community Health and Ministry Partners — is a wide-spread initiative throughout all Texas Health Resources hospitals.

Lynne Spencer has been a chaplain with the Texas Health Resources System for over 10 years. An opportunity arose to plant a pastoral care department at the Azle hospital. Intrigued at first, Spencer said that normally, taking on a leadership role in a pastoral care department, you’re stepping into an existing position.