## Welcome to the Department of Chaplaincy and Christian Counseling Our certified programs train chaplains — spiritual caregivers equipped to provide both spiritual and psychological support in a wide range of crisis situations. Graduates serve in combat zones, medical institutions, and social and community organizations. This program — Academic Trainings — is a joint accredited initiative of Ukrainian and American educational institutions, carried out with administrative support from the Christian Rescue Service (Ukraine), with endorsement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a number of domestic and international public, medical, and religious organizations. ## Key advantages - Six-month online format — study at your own pace - All course materials available from any device - A dedicated instructor for every student - Curriculum built to current standards and real-world needs Contact: [email protected] ## Department of Chaplaincy The Chaplaincy Department was established at IBS in **August 2025** under the leadership of **Dr. Oleg Tsymbalyuk**, Dean of the Department — a pastor of an evangelical church in Chicago with long experience training chaplains alongside institutions in Ukraine. ### Academic partnership A memorandum of cooperation has been signed with the **Khmelnytskyi Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy**, carried out with administrative support from the *Christian Rescue Service* NGO. The partnership delivers short academic programmes: - Introduction to Chaplaincy - Foundations of Christian Counselling ### Military chaplaincy In February 2026, during the 20th Anniversary Prayer Breakfast of Ukrainian Week in Washington DC, IBS leadership met with military chaplains of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Master's-level training for the AFU Military Chaplaincy Service is on the agenda. Questions: [email protected]