Chaplaincy Oil Patch Chaplaincy
OIL PATCH CHAPLAINS
By Tom Beddow
There is a group of men and women located across the entire state that includes corporate executives, roughnecks, accountants, pulling unit hands, business managers, heavy equipment operators, secretaries, tool pushers, engineers, drillers, truck drivers, superintendents, pumpers, salesmen, roustabouts, attorneys and welders.
This list demonstrates the diversity of the workforce found in the oil patch. This diversity multiplies the types of needs these employees have. However there are some basic needs that are shared by all. These are listed below.
- Comfort and support in times of crisis and grief
- Proper notification of family members in case of death or serious injury.
- Provisions for educational and preventive resources for alcohol and substance abuse,anger management, stress management and family life education.
- Learning how to use faith as a personal and family resource.
Even though all of these needs can be relevant to any employee, those jobs that are out
in the field are inherently more dangerous and therefore have a greater risk for most of the needs that are listed.
It is because these needs are serious, yet at the present time they are not being met, that the concept of Oil Patch Chaplains (O.P.C.) was conceived. 
An overview of this ministry’s potential is outlined in the above brochure.