Jim Asselin
- My Local
- My Reach
- My Self
Jim Asselin serves in the Silicon Valley, a suburban community in California located between San Francisco and San Jose. The Silicon Valley is the birthplace of the “high-tech” movement, and has spawned numerous global corporations. The area is highly educated and diverse, serving as a hub for workers from all over the world.
Because of the success of many who seek employment opportunities in the area, residents often feel they don’t need God. When the corporate dream is no longer enough, these people search for a higher purpose, providing an incredible ministry opportunity. In crisis situations, many are open to talking about God.
After seeing a need, Jim began serving as a chaplain to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety and the surrounding community to provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and comfort in times of crisis.
Constantly surrounded by danger and under intense pressure and tension, a police officer’s job can be very difficult. As a police chaplain, Jim strives to form relationships with the officers in order to create an atmosphere of trust and comfortability. He frequently rides with the officers on patrol, and assists during cases when his counsel and advice might be helpful. Jim is also available to the officers’ families and other individuals associated with the police department. “I make every effort to be available, to listen and share in the sorrows and joys of both individual officers and the department as a whole.”
Another component of Jim’s chaplain ministry is his availability to the community. Frequent calls to high stress incidents put chaplains like Jim in a position to connect people with God. “A chaplain can be a bridge that connects the church with people who are facing life-altering situations,” Jim explains. “These are prime opportunities to direct people trying to make sense out of life to the hope that is found in Jesus.” Jim’s ministry to the community includes trauma counseling at the scene of incidents, follow-up assistance to victims of crisis, and training for crisis intervention.
Jim became an approved candidate with InFaith in January 2017.
With his wife and five children, Jim served in Peru for three years, starting and building a K-12 school. He has been on the pastoral staff at Trinity Church of Sunnyvale for thirteen years, and is a P.O.S.T. certified member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. His hobbies include music and spending time outdoors.
