Our Chaplains are highly educated and trained professionals who can minister to your spiritual needs, who care about you, and who can assist you in your relationships with others and with God. They have all received extensive training and education in pastoral care, counseling, and ministry from accredited seminaries.

Fr Sylvester Onyeachonam, director of Pastoral Care since 2021, has over twenty-three years of experience as a Pastor and Chaplain both in Nigeria, Ireland, and United States. In his ministry as a Priest and Chaplain, he said,  “I have had the opportunity of supporting patients, families, and staff irrespective or race, religion, and gender identity. I have celebrated with parents as they welcome new babies, encouraged parents as they nurse their sick child, counseled patients, families, and staff as they struggle with life challenges.  I have listened, prayed, condoled, and comforted families and staff as they grave for answers and as they grieve their loss.” 

As the director, Fr Sylvester is involved in regular patient visit, inter-departmental meetings, develops programs and provide services designed to meet the emotional, spiritual, and religious needs of patients, families, and members of Trinity Health staff. He supervises and ensures that pastoral care services are provided when and where needed within the hospital. According to Fr Sylvester, “Chaplains are human, vulnerable and we face the same realities as the patients and families we minister to. Yet in our brokenness, God uses us to heal our fellow broken brothers and sisters. “However, this does not make it easy.  We face difficult moments when parents or family are overwhelmed by the events happening in their life and they look to us for answers, and yet all we can do is to be there, providing pastoral, healing presence.”

Fr Onyeachonam can be reached at 701-418-7623

Chaplain Brian Krebs has been staff chaplain at Trinity Hospital since 2010.   Prior to coming to Minot, Brian served as Chaplain at Saint Francis in Breckinridge, MN, the Veteran’s Hospital, in Saint Cloud, Mn, and Mayo in Rochester, MN.

"All daily patient rounds, prepare us for the unexpected codes and traumas, especially in the nights.    Patients, families, and staff in a hospital are acutely aware of the need for spiritual growth.  Chaplains provide the tools to support, measure, even research spiritual care.

My thirty years of prior ministry, throughout the USA, has formed and inspired me for the medical needs of our modern complex scientific world.  Finally, the National chaplain certification has shifted our focus on outcome based spiritual care.  It is an honor to be part of the professional medical team, in healing the whole person. "

One chaplain is always available on call, with a pager: all days, evenings, and weekends - 24/7/365.

Chaplain Brian can be reached by pager or call 701-418-7622

Rev. Michael Parker joined Trinity Health in 2014 as hospital and hospice chaplain. In the late ‘90’s, Parker was involved in a life-threatening accident and found the frequent visits of the hospital chaplain a great help during his time of need. While in seminary school, Parker worked part-time at Kmart, where he struck up a conversation with a hospital chaplain shopping in his department. “He invited me to be a volunteer chaplain at his hospital, which further influenced my career trajectory,” he said.

Parker admits that being a spiritual caregiver can sometimes be exhausting. “But I also discovered that while as a chaplain I am called to minister to others, God is also ministering to me. When I realize God’s grace and strength are sufficient for me, I am more authentic in my message of help and hope to others overwhelmed by their situation.”

Rev. Parker can be reached at 701-418-7626

Deacon Anna Dykeman serves Trinity Health as a staff chaplain with the Pastoral Care Department. Anna is an ordained deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has lived in Minot for five years, and is pursuing a master’s degree in social work.  Hospitality, listening, and openness to all people and systems of belief are foundations that guide her work at Trinity Health.

“As a practitioner of Spiritual Wellness, the call to offer safe space for Trinity staff,patients, and families to share their lived experience is a priority. To be present with and for all people at Trinity is a sacred opportunity,” Dykeman says.

Deacon Dykeman can be reached at 701-418-7620

Rev. Chris Lenning recently joined the Pastoral Care Team at Trinity as a Part-time Staff Chaplain. He is a pastor in the Lutheran ELCA, and has lived and served in the Parshall area the past 15 years.  He has served as a volunteer chaplain for the volunteer fire and ambulance squads.  He has served as a parish pastor for 25 years. You can typically find him at “St. Joe’s” on Fridays working with people at the Trinity Addiction Services (TAS) or the 5^th floor Rehabilitation.

“The beauty of chaplaincy is that we meet people spiritually wherever they are during some of the most difficult times in their lives.  In this holy space, we honor all faiths and listen and support people in need.”

Chaplain Lenning can be reached at the Pastoral Care office at (701) 418-7620

Chaplain Nathan Haugen serves Trinity Health as a chaplain associate with the Pastoral Care Department. Nathan is an ordained minister through International Ministerial Fellowship. He also serves as a chaplain in the USAF Reserves. Nathan grew up on the farm an hour from Minot. He enjoys being outdoors and often misses farming with his father. Working as a chaplain has its demands but I get to see God show up in powerful ways and use me.

“We all long to be cherished and known. Everyone is created in the image of God, and it is my passion to live and breath dignity and respect to all those who walk through our doors,” Haugen says.

Chaplain Haugen can be reached at the Pastoral Care office at (701) 418-7625

Rev. Luther Hanson began at Trinity as an intern in 1972. While in seminary, he focused on geriatric ministry, and after finishing his Master of Divinity degree in 1974, Hanson returned full-time to Trinity Homes and part-time to Trinity Hospital. He became full-time Trinity Homes chaplain in 1987 and currently continues his service on a part-time basis. Over the years, Hanson’s pastoral care opportunities have grown to include baptisms, memorial services and weddings for both residents, staff members and their families. He has enjoyed assisting local clergy and their designated volunteers, many of whom have served with him for decades, in ministering to their members. Designing interior and exterior space for seasonal activities and resident enjoyment has become an additional side line.

“As an artist, musician, landscaper, interior and seasonal decorator and pastor, Trinity Homes has allowed me to use all my talents and imagination throughout these years to provide a challenging and rewarding day,” he says.