08/25/2026
🎓 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATING LAW ENFORCEMENT CHAPLAINS! 🎓
The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps is proud to recognize and congratulate our chaplains who have successfully completed the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) Law Enforcement Chaplain Training Program.
This was more than a class—it was an investment in our chaplains, our law enforcement officers, their families, and the citizens of Oktibbeha County.
Throughout the training, our chaplains received instruction in critical areas of law enforcement chaplaincy, including:
• Understanding Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
• Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Basics
• Legal Aspects of Chaplaincy
• The Law Enforcement Family
• Responding to the Call-Out
• Characteristics of Stress
• Su***de
• Department/Agency Incidents
• Death Notification
• Self-Care for the Chaplain
These subjects remind us that law enforcement chaplaincy requires much more than simply carrying the title of “Chaplain.” It requires training, preparation, compassion, confidentiality, professionalism, and a willingness to serve people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
We proudly congratulate our graduating chaplains:
Min. R. Frank Nichols — Director
Rev. Dr. Stacey Parvin — Secretary
Rev. Marico Clark — Treasurer
Rev. Abdural Lee
Rev. Kendel Fisher
Rev. Dr. Michael Taylor
Rev. Brandon Frazier
Min. Annie Kelly
Rev. Marty Boyd
Rev. Petro Jordan
We extend our sincere appreciation to Sheriff Shank Phelps for his vision, leadership, and continued support of the Chaplain Corps. His commitment to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community has allowed this ministry of service to continue growing.
A special thank-you goes to Senior Police Chaplain Fred Shelton, ICPC Certified Chaplain and Certified Instructor, for taking time from his busy schedule to provide this intensive training. His experience, knowledge, and passion for professional chaplaincy challenged each participant to think beyond the title and understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with serving law enforcement personnel, their families, and our community.
As we said throughout the training: you cannot go through this type of instruction and come out the same person. The material is real, the situations are real, and the responsibility is real.
We also thank Chaplain Lonnie Cook of Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oktibbeha for spending time with the class and sharing valuable pearls of wisdom concerning hospital chaplaincy and caring for individuals and families during moments of crisis.
We extend a very special thank-you to Pastor Abdural Lee, who is also one of our graduating chaplains, and the entire Sand Creek Missionary Baptist Church congregation for graciously opening their doors and allowing us to use the church’s Fellowship Hall throughout our training. Having a comfortable and welcoming space where our chaplains could learn, fellowship, ask difficult questions, and grow together was invaluable. Pastor Lee and the Sand Creek church family, thank you for your hospitality, generosity, and support of the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps and our mission to better serve this community.
Most importantly, we thank each of our graduating chaplains. They demonstrated that their ministry extends beyond the walls of their individual churches. They cared enough about the entire community to prepare themselves to serve wherever and whenever they are needed.
A Message from Director R. Frank Nichols:
“I could not be prouder of this group of chaplains. Each one cared enough about this community to invest the time, effort, and energy necessary to become better prepared to serve. They made a decision to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Chaplaincy is more than a title—it is a calling to be present when people are hurting, grieving, struggling, or simply need someone to stand beside them. I am honored to serve alongside these men and women as Director of the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps.
This graduation is not the finish line. It is the beginning. I am excited about what lies ahead and what this Chaplain Corps will continue to do for our deputies, their families, and the citizens of Oktibbeha County.
We are here to serve those who serve—and to serve our community.”
Congratulations, Chaplains! 🎓🙏🏾💛🖤
EQUIPPING. EMPOWERING. ENCOURAGING.
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE.
