Chaplain Lorena Garza, Director of Chaplain Affairs welcomes you for conversation and opportunity!

Nov 10

Written By Dorothy Kozar - Editorial Contributor & Speaker

Director, Chaplain Lorena Garza’s the face of the National School Chaplain Association Academy for Founder, CEO Rocky Malloy. She is the first person most of us encounter in the process of exploring what NSCA is about and how to become a part of it.

National School Chaplain Academy

As Director of Chaplain Affairs, Lorena Garza is the resource and advocate for potential chaplain students, the newly enrolled as well as the graduates.

She oversees the student registration process, explains the requirements of acceptance, maintains documents as well as the post graduate documentation. She is a contact for schools seeking chaplains and for chaplains seeking schools.

In Touch And In Tune

Chaplain Garza’s experience as a youth pastor describes her heart for the young and prepared her for school chaplaincy, which she continues to serve in the high school at least one day a week.

This keeps her freshly abreast of the inner workings of school chaplain life, which equips her to equip other chaplains. Chaplains need Chaplains. Lorena helps them take the next step.

She professionally manages the academy, yet her authentic warmth reaches the soul when she says things like; “If you have a pulse, you have a purpose! God knows what we all need and he will give us strength because he loves us.Lorena always says; “I believe campus chaplains are like divine appointments sent from God.” A student stopped her in the hallway and asked; “Will you pray for me, I’m having a hard day?”

The pressures students face extend further than an algebra equation, they need hope and reassurance that they can make it. She is there to answer the toughest questions like; “What could I have done to help my friend who took her life?”

One never knows what a student or a teacher is facing at home. Recently, a supporting staff member asked Chaplain Garza to pray for his father who was facing cancer.

Knowing who to report things to is key. When a student expressed that life was too hard and they wanted to end it, Chaplain Lorena connected them with the proper provider. The student got help and graduated that year!

It takes a village!

No surprise that Lorena is such an advocate for school chaplains because students and faculty deserve care as they are all figuring out life inside the school house experience!

Recently, Dir. Garza, championed the NSCA mission, by speaking at a “Meet the Candidate” event for Texas Senator Mayes Middleton at Grace Covenant Church in Wharton, TX. Senator Middleton wrote the Chaplain’s Bill that became the Texas School Chaplains Act in 2023.

During the event, Dir. Garza invited people to her display table to find out more about NSCA and its Founder and CEO Rocky Malloy and wife Joske, who through Christ, their calling became the reality of the internationally trusted largest provider for school chaplains.

Moving Forward

Now that you have been formally introduced, you or someone you know will be excited to engage with her! Email Lorena Garza

Student registration and FAQ for becoming a certified school chaplain is accessible here at National School Chaplain Academy

Dorothy Kozar - Editorial Contributor & Speaker

Dorothy Kozar is a published author, public speaker and holds a Masters degree from Duke University. Functioning as an editorial writer and Publicist for National School Chaplain Association (NSCA), she enjoys writing and serving as a Certified School Chaplain. She retired after a 32 year surgical career, ultimately as a self-employed Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, providing peri-operative patient care. She rounded out that career, as director of the Department of Robotic Surgery. Her legacy contribution was serving as Legislative Liaison for Operating Room Nurses, led to the passing of a bill in the N.C. House. She also met with legislators at D.C. and spoke there at a national nursing convention. Dorothy seeks to be an agent of change in upholding godly standards in our schools, culture, local and national government. Likewise, as a minister, a wife, mother and grandmother; she’s driven by a heart to educate, demonstrate and protect the freedoms; whereby Christ has made us free.