From chaplaincy to cancer and back again

Jason was 6.5 years into his chaplaincy journey when he received news that changed everything 

As a full-time chaplain over two school campus’ Jason knew what it was to live his role to the full. From running multiple wellbeing programs, to hosting ‘Lunchtime Legends’ sessions for struggling students, to even being trained as a DJ so he could run school discoes, Jason jumped head (and heart) first into his role. 

For Jason, being present for the students was everything. Until he couldn’t be. 

“I didn’t want to leave chaplaincy. I love chaplaincy. I thought this could be long term. I wanted to do at least 10 years,” reflects Jason.

A simple health check quickly turned into something far more significant and potentially sinister. 

“They said there’s something wrong with your lungs. You only get half capacity for your age and for your stamina,” remembers Jason.

“I was in the room with the doctor, and this admin lady read out that there is a 20 by 15 by 12 centimetre mass in the right side of your chest like a little gridiron ball.”

“It had to be removed,” Jason says. 

Two months later Jason was strapped in a hospital bed for surgery.

“I was advised to get a will, I was advised to get a power of attorney, I was advised to get all those things …. Potentially, there was a higher chance that I wouldn’t make it through the surgery because of the complications,” Jason recalls. 

“The reality is kicking in that I might have said goodbye to my wife for the last time, at least on this side of heaven. 

“And I was staring at the ceiling, and I was reminded of a scripture – Isaiah 41:10 

“’Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’”. 

“I’m now in the hospital room, and I’m playing a worship song, and I’m going: ‘This is real … God, this is just me and you now.’”

After six hours of painful pre-surgery and another six hours of surgery, the tumour was removed. 

“That was very scary and painful, but it was successful. I now have enough metal in me that sets the detectors off at the airports. But I’m just thankful to be alive,” says Jason.

An event of this magnitude – of life and death – rarely leaves a person unchanged. 

“While I was recovering … an email popped up for the Field Manager Role [with SU Australia], and I felt God say, now’s the right time,” says Jason. 

“I’ve got chronic nerve pain at the moment. It could be for the rest of my life, but I do genuinely feel a peace about it being here, because it has slowed me down to the role that I do now. God is  working all things for good, you know, for His purpose, for His glory.”

Today Jason works as an FDM in the Toowoomba region, using what he learned in his own years of chaplaincy to support the chaplains in his area. 

When Jason was in his darkest hour, he felt God beside him. His faith didn’t diminish. It grew. So too did his belief in the paramount importance of spending his time supporting school chaplains. 

Perhaps you feel the call to become a school chaplain like Jason did? Today there are vacancies that need filling for more children and young people to experience the love of God. To find out more about becoming a school chaplain please visit su.org.au/chaplaincy/