For Christian media professionals and communicators focused on shaping the cultural narrative, the rise of the National School Chaplain Association (NSCA) represents a significant, yet previously undervalued, channel to ministry. Founded and led by visionary Rocky J. Malloy, NSCA places certified chaplains in schools to help build our nation’s future leaders on a solid foundation.
The experiment began with just 44 students in three classrooms. Today, the NSCA’s international success includes operations in 23 countries, serving over 32 million people monthly.
A former U.S. Merchant Marine Commander, Malloy’s zeal to preach the Gospel led him to the Sandinista Civil War in 1989. Witnessing horrific conditions, including children victimized by war, sex trafficking, and slavery, provided the catalyst for his calling.
Malloy realized that if a child was simply in school, they were safer and less likely to be victimized. This led to a bold idea:
“What if Jesus could come to school?” Malloy wondered. “Would children want to hang around Jesus like they did in the Bible? Would they stay in school if there was a Jesus persona present?”
This ministry has yielded remarkable social outcomes globally, such as an 80% reduction of teen pregnancies and a 37% increase in high school graduations.
In 2021, Malloy moved his family to Texas with the vision of bringing these international successes to U.S. public education. The NSCA was instrumental in spearheading the “Texas Chaplain Act” (SB763), which became law in September 2023. Following Texas, Louisiana (HB334) and Florida (HB931) signed similar bills into law in 2024, and Missouri recently passed its legislation. As of late 2024, 29 other states have filed similar legislation.
“The idea that somehow schools are spiritually neutral is a misconception,” Malloy said. He points out that the Supreme Court has already recognized human secularism as the state religion.
A common misconception in the media is that school chaplaincy is unconstitutional. However, chaplains are federally defined as a privileged class of clergy.
“How could…government paid chaplains be legal everywhere else, and they’re somehow illegal in school?” Malloy said. The answer is found in the First Amendment: “When a chaplain is on a school campus, they have privileged and protected rights to sacred speech.”
The school chaplain provides a “ministry of presence” that can fundamentally shift school culture.
Unlike mental health professionals who are limited to secular counseling, chaplains are uniquely qualified to address the root of many student struggles. In their Global Impact Report from August 2024, NSCA found that the top issues facing students today are peer pressure (92%), family issues (87%), anger (84%), and spiritual issues (73%).
“The chaplain can pray with someone for forgiveness, the start of the journey to relieve guilt, and then eliminate the depression,” Malloy said.
The NSCA is a key asset in school safety by establishing “left of bang situations.” This refers to taking action to prevent harm before a dangerous event occurs. Students are often more willing to share confidential information with a chaplain than to school staff, as they fear reporting issues might impact their transcript.
Malloy emphasizes that chaplains serve everyone on campus, including teachers. This support helps boost teacher job satisfaction.
“We cooperate without compromise,” Malloy said, noting that chaplains need not abandon their convictions to serve diverse communities. “You don’t have to act secular.”
Ultimately, Malloy believes the deployment of chaplains in schools will impact the entire nation.
“A chaplain in school will change the culture of our country,” he said.
Rocky Malloy views chaplaincy as “a dream come true job” because their “only job is to represent the love of Jesus.”
Christian communicators, media organizations, and church leaders can get involved in this movement through several actionable steps:
- Amplify the Message of Religious Liberty: Malloy urges communicators to equip young people: “I think your audience of young people need to be emboldened [to] express themselves.”
- Encourage Ministry Recruitment: Malloy strongly encourages local churches to “release people into the ministry of chaplaincy.”
- Explore the Calling: The NSCA offers a free, no-obligation course (nscaacademy.org). This 90-minute course helps individuals make an informed decision about pursuing chaplaincy by understanding the requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications needed to become a school chaplain.
- Provide Support: The NSCA relies on giving to expand its reach and training programs. Information for partnering with the NSCA is available on their website.
By supporting or becoming a chaplain, members of the Christian community can engage in a consistent campus-wide ministry that not only nurtures spiritual awareness but also shapes a culture of faith and moral character that can ripple throughout the culture of our nation.
To learn more and get involved, visit the National School Chaplaincy Association website: www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org.