August 23, 2022

Peter J. Christian
3785 East Saint Andrews Drive
Eagle Mountain, UT 84005
(801) 600-7167
peterjohnchristian@yahoo.com
Hiring Board,
As a 100% service-connected disabled Veteran, it is my pleasure to apply to this Veterans
Administration chaplain announcement and to list some of my credentials that makes me more
than fully qualified for this position. My Latter-day Saint, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Baptist
formal education affords me the knowledge to minister to Veterans of various faith traditions.
My pastoral work that includes chaplain service in the Army and at a Veterans Administration
healthcare facility provides me the needed experience to again contribute as a VA chaplain.
And, my board certification chaplain status, with a specialty in hospice and palliative care,
combined with my clinical pastoral education supervisor standing offers me the certifications to
serve in this, and in other, chaplain positions.
After serving in the Army, I began my education at Brigham Young University where I completed
an undergraduate degree in history. Thereafter, I earned a (Spiritual Care Association MDiv
Equivalent) Master of Pastoral Theology at Chaminade University of Honolulu. I then returned
to Utah and completed four units of College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy CPE at
the George E Wahlen VAMC. Later, I finished a Graduate Theological Certificate through Church
Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. Still later, while working as a VA chaplain, I
completed my Department of Education approved supervisory CPE through the Institute of
Clinical Pastoral Training. And, I am now 60% of my way through a Doctor of Ministry (distant
learning) from Berkely School of Theology.
I have served for decades as an ordained priesthood holder in the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, where I have worked in youth and adult ministry at the congregational level.
After completing the necessary education to become an Army chaplain, I served in military
medical ministry and as a supervisory chaplain where I led many chaplains in that pluralistic
religious environment. Most recently, I served as a clinical chaplain at the Northern Arizona
Veterans Administration Healthcare Center. While there, I ministered throughout that facility
with more than a year of dedicated service to our long-term patients that included service to
hospice and palliative care patients. Thereafter, I served an additional eight-months as the
domiciliary chaplain, where I ministered to our mental health (MH) Veterans who suffered with
comorbid conditions. Their diagnoses included substance abuse, depression, anxiety, PTSD,
MST and more complex conditions.
While working at the VAMC in Prescott, Arizona, I became a Spiritual Care Association (SCA)
Board-Certified Chaplain. With BCC standing, more than 2,000 hours in hospice and palliative
care experience and many hours of formal HPC training, I earned a specialty or advanced
practice in this discipline. Additionally, I completed 1,300 hours of dedicated service in MH
ministry. With 700 more hours and some added education, I will be able to apply for this
second specialty. Once I have met these requirements, I will apply for this last advanced
practice. My capstone certification is as a clinical pastoral education supervisor. This status is
from the Department of Education approved Institute of Clinical Pastoral Training and it allows
me to run a CPE site at a VA facility.
In addition to meeting the educational, work experience and BCC requirements for this
announcement, I have a chaplain specialty in hospice and palliative care and I am a certified
CPE supervisor. If these qualifications result in me being selected for this opening, I will do all
within my power to care for those who have served us. Thank you for considering me and I
trust and pray, that if I am not selected, that you will fill this position with a chaplain who will
minister to my fellow Veterans with the care that I would deliver.
Sincerely,

Peter J. Christian