CHAPEL PROGRAMMING

The Hockey Ministries chapel program was established in 1978 to serve the spiritual needs of hockey players in the NHL.

HMI Chapel Programs are active in 25 leagues in North America, including the NHL AHL, ECHL, CHL, IHL, USHL, SPHL, WHL, OHL, QMJHL, NCAA and various other professional and amateur leagues.

For more information about the chapel program please contact Don Liesemer Jr. at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is a Chapel Leader?

Chapel programs are a core component of HMI's ministry, requiring the service of a Chapel Leader.

An HMI Hockey Chapel Leader is an individual who is in place to serve a specific Hockey Club in the following ways:

♦ To be a safe spiritual and emotional resource person for players, personnel and the families involved with a Hockey Club regardless of one's personal church or non-church perspective.

♦ To serve those players and personnel who have a personal faith perspective with a Biblically based Chapel Program from a non-denominational perspective.

♦ HMI Chapel Leaders and the accompanying Chapel Program are supplied with the understanding that attendance or involvement is completely voluntary and confidences are kept with sensitivity.

♦ Chapel Leaders and HMI are separate economically in that HMI and its volunteers do not solicit finances from the teams, players or the leagues. This separation is to ensure that the Chapel Leaders are able to remain as objective as possible in all situations.

♦ HMI Chapel Leader candidates are made to work through a multi-stage application process.

♦ The work of HMI is done on a team-by-team basis and is implemented formally only as teams are comfortable with the presence of a Chapel Leader.

How Are Chapels Established?

HMI takes a low key approach to establishing a new chapel program for teams. Once approved by coaches and management, HMI makes an initial presentation to interested players and staff. The voluntary nature of the program, as well as its positive value for the players and the team is outlined and if interest is demonstrated, the program is established.

League-wide endorsement of a chapel program exists in every major pro sport in North America: Basketball, NFL, and Baseball have had these programs for many years. Baseball has over 200 Chapel Leaders for every major and minor league team.

What Does a Chapel Include?

HMI's hockey Chapels are non-denominational which means if you are Catholic, Lutheran, or have no religious affiliation, it doesn't matter. We talk about issues that are relevant to you and where you are as a professional athlete, utilizing Bible based principles. Attendance is entirely voluntary and Chapels are held at convenient times and locations most times on non-game days and at the arena. A typical hockey Chapel includes (1) an inspirational talk; (2) a prayer; (3) and possibly a life story. The average session runs 15-20 minutes.