Rev. Martin Harris
Chaplain, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital and Marketplace Chaplains
Rev. Martin Harris has been a member of Christian House of Prayer of Killeen, Texas since 2002. Martin has been a licensed minister under Covenant Connections International since 2011. He is presently a candidate for a Doctor of Ministry degree. He is an active member of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy since 2015 and is a certified Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Emotional and Spiritual Trainer as of 2017. He is presently certified and ordained by Crisis Chaplaincy of America as of 2019 and is endorsed for hospital and workplace service by Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches Inc.
Chaplain Harris is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school from Bishop’s Latin School of Pittsburgh, Chaplain Harris proceeded to college at Duquesne University. During his college studies, Martin studied in Switzerland as a foreign exchange student. After graduating from college Chaplain Harris entered the US Air Force and eventually served 14 years as both an enlisted service member and officer, rising to the rank of Captain. Working in various Joint Service Air Force, Navy and Army environments throughout his career, Chaplain Harris’ last and most challenging duty was as a Radar-Surveillance Aircraft Controller on the E-3 Airborne Warning Command System (AWACS). While serving in the military Chaplain Harris gained a Master of Science degree in Safety Administration.
After the military Martin worked as Veteran Service Officer for the Texas Employment Commission in various training and supervisory positions. Chaplain Harris was part of the first Department of Labor/Department of Defense joint team to formulate and develop the Transition Assistance Program Services (TAPS) which to this day continues to serve military service members and their families as they separate from the service. Through further employment stints in both private industry and government Chaplain Harris has developed certified expertise through community partnerships in public health, community mediation, and veteran support services. Martin worked 10 years as a medical claims adjuster for the Social Security Administration.
Chaplain Harris began to seriously move towards ordination in 2011 when he became licensed under Covenant Connections International. After serving as an in-house minister at Christian House of Prayer for several years, Martin became a Chaplain intern at the Austin State Hospital 2015 – 2018. Acquiring over 1600 hours supervised clinical hours, Martin served and supported hospital patients, staff, and partners in a transdisciplinary, interfaith setting of medical and spiritual clinical treatment. Chaplain Harris volunteers with Crisis Chaplaincy Texas and as a Spiritual and Emotional Support Trainer with the Austin Disaster Relief Network, working with both organizations as an emergency management asset in various disaster situations. Presently, Martin serves as a chaplain at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital as well as workplace service assignments with Marketplace Chaplaincy.
Chaplain Harris is joined in ministry by his grace-given wife Vivian of over 30 years. Both Vivian and Martin are ordained chaplains actively involved in advocating for the achievement of social justice, civil and human rights, and community medical and mental health.
Martin’s guiding biblical principle in advancing the cause of Christ has been 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead be ye reconciled to God.” “To God be the Glory – it is all about Him!”
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