Nice to Meet You! Here's a bit about me and my family
I started my chaplaincy career in December, 2010 at Sherwood Police Department. A year later I was invited to serve the small police force in neighboring King City. From 2016-2023 I additionally devoted seven years (2016-2023) as a chaplain for the dispatchers at WCCCA (Washington County 911), and served for five years (2018-2023) on a team of chaplains with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R). I now serve fulltime solely as a law enforcement chaplain.
I’ve been married to Kristen since 1994. She presently teaches first grade at The Ridges Elementary School in Sherwood. Our daughter, Adele, is a Dual Language Instruction (DLI) Spanish/English second-grade teacher at Hawks View Elementary in Sherwood and is married to Kieric (KEERick), a Financial Planner. Our son, Bradley, is a recent Fine Arts/Musical Theater graduate from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and is pursuing a career in the arts. We are presently members of Northwest Christian Church, a multisite church in Newberg, Tigard, McMinnville and online.
I hold the Masters in Ministry from Seaver College of Pepperdine University, am certified as a Master Chaplain (third tier) by the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), and certified Basic (tier one) as a fire chaplain with the Federation of Fire Chaplains (FFC). I am also nationally certified to assist in providing basic police chaplaincy certification for my fellow chaplains.
What I Do: A Primer About Chaplaincy
First and foremost I am about the mental, emotional, and—if they so choose—spiritual well-being of my first responders, our support personnel, and their families.
Secondarily, I am available to serve the employees of my city governments in like manner.
My tertiary, but no less important directive is to care for the public in a variety of ways, not least of which by being on call 24/7 to deploy as part of the law enforcement response to assist individuals and families in crisis.
Chaplaincy is about being present, as well as being equipped and available in times of crisis and stress. Following traumatic incidents, I facilitate/assist with stress “defusings” as part of the Peer Support Team. Though I am not a licensed counselor, I “counsel” public safety personnel (sworn and non-sworn) and their families upon request and regarding such topics as pre-marriage, career concerns, retirement, etc. As a friend to my first responders I might conduct or attend personal ceremonies in their lives such as weddings and funerals. I make hospital and home visits. I train alongside my first responders and sometimes have the opportunity to provide aspects of training. Ride-Alongs, Station Visits, Shift Briefings (Roll Call), and just being in the office with an open door are all important opportunity to develop rapport and be available for support. The better I know them, the more effectively I can come alongside when the going gets tough.
Support Wilson's Ministry
You can support me in my work by donating to Public Safety Chaplaincy.
Here's a How To:
- Navigate to the Donate Page at Public Safety Chaplaincy
- Scroll down to the green box that says <Give via Ththe.ly>
- In the <Give To> box, select "Chaplain donation"
- On the <Note/Memo> line, write "Preference: Wilson Parrish"
- Your one-time gifts are appreciated,! If you wish to give regularly--even monthly--you can set up a schedule in the <setup automatic giving> box as well.
THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP!
I Believe
Wilson's Faith guides his family and career and his trust in Jesus shines through each interaction and divine appointment that the Lord leads him to throughout his day. Whether its routine or a crisis situation Wilson is always there alongside the front line officers and support personnel giving encouragement, sharing wisdom, listening, praying, serving, and providing emotional, spiritual, and mental health support to those who need it most.