Todd promoted to chief of chaplains

Chaplain Gregory Todd receives well wishes during a Change of Office Ceremony on May 16 in Washington, D.C. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

On May 16, during a Change of Office Ceremony at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., LCMS Chaplain Gregory Todd was promoted to chief of chaplains for the U.S. Navy. The promotion comes four years after Todd was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half), deputy chief of Navy chaplains and chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Todd became aware of the Navy chaplain candidate program while attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His interest grew after two summers of training for the program.

After ordination, Todd became a Navy Reserve chaplain, serving a Marine Corps unit for six years along with Our Savior Lutheran Church and Student Center in Carbondale, Ill., followed by Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob, Ill.

During that time, he became increasingly concerned about military members and their families.

“I was struck by the deep need for the Gospel among service members,” Todd told Reporter in 2018.

Todd was one of the first chaplains on the ground in New York City after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He also has helped train and develop other chaplains throughout his career.

In his remarks at the ceremony on May 16, Todd expressed his thanks to the many individuals who have supported him during his service, ending with his parents, “who gave me so much, but chief among these gifts was the gift of faith … in Jesus Christ and the assurance of His love. My dad died seven years ago, but by faith in Christ, I am reassured that I will see him again.”

Watch highlights of the Change of Office Ceremony.

Posted May 19, 2022