For 43 years, Dr. Themba M. Mzizi, Ph.D. has stood beside grieving families, broken officers, and seasoned pastors — offering presence where words run out and clarity where confusion has cost real lives.
Pastors are being thrust into chaplaincy roles without proper training. Chaplains are being treated as lesser pastors instead of specialized professionals. People in crisis are receiving inadequate spiritual care because we don't understand the difference.
A long-form call within church walls.
A short-form call where no church will ever go.
For 40+ years, Chaplain Mzizi has lived both realities. The books that follow are the framework he wishes every seminary, every agency, and every chaplain had on their shelf.
See the BooksChaplains show up at midnight. They sit with grieving families. They walk through scenes of trauma and carry the weight officers cannot share elsewhere.
This is not pulpit work in a different uniform. It is a professional, ethically grounded ministry defined by presence, clarity, and trust.
Read Chaplain With a Badge"While pastors and chaplains share a common call to spiritual care, their ministry contexts, professional demands, and theological emphases often diverge in deep and meaningful ways."
— Dr. Themba M. Mzizi, Ph.D.
Guidelines for Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
The field manual for agencies and chaplains who want a program that is respected, ethically grounded, and sustainable — written from four decades on the ground.
"An invaluable resource. I think all law enforcement chaplains should have a copy."
Pastor Brian Park San Bernardino County Sheriff Chaplain · U.S. Secret Service Chaplain
Exploring the Sacred Distinctions Between a Pastor and a Chaplain
A practitioner-led framework for anyone discerning the line between pastoral ministry and chaplaincy — and the very different formation each requires.
"A definitive guide for generations of chaplains, pastors, and spiritual caregivers to come."
Dr. Zephaniah Manombe Ncube Pastor · CBT Therapist · University Lecturer
An African Pastor’s Journey to a Multicultural Church in America
A memoir of calling, displacement, and providence — from a village farm in Southern Africa to founding a multicultural church on American soil.
"One of the most inspiring and impactful works I have come across in more than three decades of ministry."
Pastor Cenias Ndebele President · Central Zimbabwe Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
On Chaplain with a Badge
What Chaplain Mzizi has provided in ‘Chaplain with a Badge’ is a much-needed set of guidelines and protocols for any chaplain to consider in their approach working with an agency. It also provides a practical manual for those contemplating becoming a chaplain. Chaplain Mzizi has put together a thorough and concise book providing faith-filled, wellness skillsets for law enforcement chaplains across the country.
On Chaplain with a Badge
An invaluable resource for anyone involved in or considering law enforcement chaplaincy. It offers a solid foundation of best practices, ethical considerations, and practical advice for serving effectively in this critical ministry. I think all law enforcement chaplains should have a copy.
On Chaplain with a Badge
A concise and practical tool designed for anyone wishing to better serve the complex needs of law enforcement personnel. It provides valuable insights into the critical role that spiritual care plays in the holistic well-being of those in law enforcement.
On Chaplain with a Badge
‘Chaplain With A Badge’ is an excellent outline and summary that captures each area of responsibility and nuanced posture of a complete work model pertaining to law enforcement chaplaincy. It reads as a manual and should be featured in one’s office to be referred to repeatedly.
On Chaplain with a Badge
A valuable resource that will help both new and seasoned law enforcement chaplains stay the course and be effective in their roles. It should not be looked at as just a one-time read, but as an excellent reference to return to quite often while fulfilling the position of a chaplain.
On Called to Serve, Trained to Care
Called to Serve, Trained to Care will undoubtedly serve as a definitive guide for generations of chaplains, pastors, and spiritual caregivers to come.
On Called to Serve, Trained to Care
A timely and deeply insightful work that people, especially pastors and church spiritual leaders who are thinking of becoming chaplains, should read.
On Called to Serve, Trained to Care
A profound and compelling reflection on the sacred journey between pulpit and crisis response. With wisdom drawn from decades of service in both pastoral and chaplaincy ministry, this book is an eye-opening resource for anyone seeking to understand what it truly means to care for others in their most vulnerable moments.
On The Long Walk to the Pulpit
One of the most inspiring and impactful works I have come across in more than three decades of ministry. It is not only a testament to Dr. Mzizi’s personal journey but a beacon of hope for anyone called to serve in God’s vineyard. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to ministers, church members, and all who desire to walk closely with God.
On The Long Walk to the Pulpit
From humble beginnings to helping found a multicultural church, Dr. Mzizi’s step of faith demonstrates that when God calls, He equips — and that He can use anyone to accomplish His purpose. His journey shows that while God may not speak audibly, He gives clear promptings to those willing to listen and obey.
On The Long Walk to the Pulpit
This book captures not only my brother’s personal and spiritual transformation from a young village boy on a farm in Southern Africa to the founder of a multicultural church in America, but also the story of a life marked by resilience, faith, and service. I am grateful for the life, leadership, and legacy of my brother.
Chaplain Mzizi serves agencies, seminaries, churches, and faith-based associations across the United States and internationally — from sheriff's offices and federal agencies to overseas ministries and crisis-response teams.
Keynotes for seminaries, agencies, and conferences on chaplaincy, pastoral resilience, and crisis ministry.
Helping churches, agencies, and ministry boards build chaplaincy programs that are sustainable and ethically sound.
Curriculum and training design for new and seasoned chaplains entering high-stress public-safety environments.
Foreword, endorsement, and collaborative writing for ministry leaders publishing in chaplaincy and pastoral care.
One-on-one mentoring for chaplains, pastors, and seminary students discerning calling and growing in practice.
Build a law enforcement or first-responder chaplaincy program from policy to deployment with proven frameworks.
A pastor leads a congregation from the pulpit, building long-term spiritual relationships within church walls. A chaplain provides spiritual care in secular and crisis environments — hospitals, prisons, law enforcement agencies, the military — often serving people of all faiths or no faith at all. Chaplaincy demands a different posture: presence over preaching, confidentiality, impartiality, and the ability to minister without ever invoking God’s name.
A law enforcement chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to officers, civilian staff, victims, and families. They respond to critical incidents, line-of-duty deaths, traumatic scenes, and personal crises. They are not counselors, ministers of enforcement, or recruiters — their role is presence, confidentiality, and steadiness under pressure.
Dr. Themba M. Mzizi, Ph.D. is the pastor of the Fontana Juniper Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church and Chaplain Services Coordinator for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. With 43+ years in pastoral ministry and chaplaincy, he is the author of Called to Serve, Trained to Care, Chaplain with a Badge, and The Long Walk to the Pulpit.
Use the contact form on this site to inquire about speaking engagements, training development, organizational consultation, or individual mentoring. Dr. Mzizi serves agencies, seminaries, churches, and crisis-response teams across the United States and internationally.
Chaplain with a Badge: Guidelines for Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Called to Serve, Trained to Care, and The Long Walk to the Pulpit: An African Pastor’s Journey to a Multicultural Church in America are all available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
Inquire about speaking engagements, mentoring, training, or consultation. Most messages receive a personal reply within 5 business days.