LUSAKA, Zambia – Chaplains from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), North Carolina National Guard and New York National Guard participated earlier this month in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference.
The conference offered a critical platform for chaplains from across southern Africa and the United States to exchange best practices in religious support for warfighters, strengthen moral resilience, and explore strategies for supporting the well-being of service members and their families. The conference was held April 9-11 in Lusaka, Zambia.
“Gatherings like this bring together different ideas and experiences that can make us stronger and more efficient chaplains to better serve our military and community,” said Brig. Gen. Chaplain Henry Matifeyo, chief of chaplains, Zambian Defense Forces. “It is an honor and a privilege for Zambia to host this gathering of military and government chaplains from across the SADC region and partner with our dear friends from the United States.”
Throughout the week, National Guard chaplains joined their counterparts from SADC nations in interactive workshops, joint training sessions and discussions on topics ranging from trauma care and moral leadership to interfaith cooperation and crisis response through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.
“This conference reminds us that chaplains are more than spiritual leaders—we are force multipliers,” said U.S. Army Colonel Chaplain Karen Meeker, AFRICOM command chaplain. “By coming together across cultures and countries, we expand our collective capacity to care for those who serve.”
The involvement of AFRICOM and National Guard state partners underscored the command’s ongoing commitment to training with our partners to build capability and increase readiness. The chaplains’ training focused on the spiritual and mental well-being of the warfighter.
“Our soldiers face increasing pressures—both in the service of the [Estwatini] Defense Force and at home,” said Captain Chaplain Bongani Mkhatshwa, battalion chaplain of Eswatini Defence. “Through unity and dialogue, we equip ourselves as chaplains to be steadfast anchors of hope, guidance, and moral clarity for the warfighter.”
AFRICOM and National Guard units remain committed to engaging with African partners to strengthen regional security and the vital institutions supporting men and women in uniform.
The SADC Chaplains Conference showcases AFRICOM and the State Partnership Program’s holistic approach to training with African partners by fostering trusted advisors who promote spiritual resilience, ethical decision-making, and troop cohesion beyond just military cooperation.
Key to the collaborative training environment is the representation of chaplains from across the total force, said U.S. Army Colonel Chaplain Jonathan Heitman, North Carolina National Guard state command chaplain. “Coming together, learning from each other, helps us better take care of our warfighters and their families.”
“The State Partnership Program really comes alive at events like this where we have North Carolina Army National Guard and New York Air and Army National Guards alongside our partners here in Southern Africa,” Heitman said.
The SPP connects U.S. states with nations worldwide to boost security cooperation through military and civilian exchanges. For Africans, it professionalizes their armed forces and creates economic ties. Chaplains benefit from unique training opportunities, sharing strategies to support mental and spiritual health, and enhancing their role in building resilient communities.
“This gathering reinforced the sacred trust chaplains carry,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chaplain Charles Gilbertson, deputy command chaplain, Southern European Task Force-Africa. “Together, we renew our strength to lead with compassion and to walk alongside those who serve, regardless of nation or faith.”
Military chaplains offer spiritual, emotional and ethical guidance to service members, particularly in high-pressure or combat settings. In addition to providing spiritual support, they serve as trusted confidants and advisors, assisting Soldiers’ families and addressing the distinct challenges of military life.
U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation and crisis responses on the African continent, advancing U.S. interests and promoting regional security, stability and prosperity.