Archbishop Dr. William Kimando
Founder & Global PresidentProvides global vision, governance leadership, and oversight of GAOCPC's Christian mission and certification work.
Certification Support: credentials@gaocpc.com
Phone: +1 (647) 787-9911
About GAOCPC
Christian Care Rooted in Scripture, Training & Accountability
Since 2020, the Global Association of Certified Pastoral Counselors has equipped and credentialed Christian chaplains, pastoral counselors, and church caregivers for compassionate service in congregations, institutions, and communities around the world.
Who We Are
GAOCPC was federally incorporated in Canada on November 15, 2020, with a clear founding purpose: to train, teach, and credential Christian chaplains and church counselors who offer Bible-based guidance, spiritual care, and comfort to people in need.
From that foundation, the Association has developed certification examinations, ethical requirements, recognized educational pathways, continuing development resources, and public credential verification.
We serve candidates and certified professionals while helping churches, ministries, institutions, and families identify caregivers whose credentials can be publicly confirmed.
2020
Federally incorporated in Canada
Canada
Global office and organizational home
Global Service
Supporting Christian caregivers across regions
Our Purpose
We believe people seeking spiritual care deserve compassion, sound biblical guidance, appropriate boundaries, and trustworthy service. Our purpose is to help Christian caregivers prepare well, serve responsibly, remain accountable, and demonstrate that their GAOCPC credentials are current and verifiable.
People Behind the Mission
Global Leadership
GAOCPC is guided by Christian leaders who bring experience in ministry, theological education, credential administration, pastoral care, and international service.
Dr. Jane Kimando
Director of Credential VerificationLeads credential-record review and helps ensure that members, churches, institutions, and the public receive reliable verification.
Professor Nattalee Lindsay
Executive Director, CanadaSupports Canadian operations, member engagement, professional development, and the implementation of GAOCPC standards.
Dr. Joseph Wilberforce
Continental Director, AfricaCoordinates regional relationships, leadership development, and GAOCPC certification support across Africa.
Our Direction
Mission, Vision & Mandate
GAOCPC exists to support both those who provide pastoral care and the people, churches, institutions, and communities they are called to serve.
Our Mission
To certify, equip, and support pastoral counselors and chaplains who serve with compassion, confidentiality, biblical wisdom, competence, ethical practice, and accountable Christian care.
Our Vision
To be a trusted global Christian professional association known for excellence in pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, ethical standards, responsible credentialing, and compassionate spiritual care.
Our Mandate
To establish and uphold certification standards, promote ethical accountability, support continuing development, recognize training pathways, and provide reliable public credential verification.
What Guides Us
Our Core Values
These values shape GAOCPC certification, professional conduct, ethical review, training expectations, and service to the public.
Biblical Integrity
Grounding Christian care in Scripture, spiritual wisdom,
truth, humility, and responsible ministry.
Compassion
Treating every person with dignity, patience, respect,
sensitivity, and genuine care.
Professional Integrity
Promoting honesty, responsible boundaries, transparency,
and ethical conduct.
Competence
Encouraging education, examination, supervised practice,
continuing development, and responsible service.
Confidentiality
Respecting privacy, lawful limits, informed consent,
professional boundaries, and safe care relationships.
Accountability
Maintaining clear standards, review processes, ethical oversight,
and responsibility to members and the public.
How We Work
Our Certification Framework
GAOCPC certification brings together professional standards, recognized preparation, ethical accountability, and public verification.
1
Standards & Competencies
Applicants are reviewed against defined certification competencies, education requirements, ethical expectations, and applicable ministry or professional experience.
2
Recognized Training
GAOCPC identifies educational standards, approved institutions, supervised practicum expectations, and continuing development pathways.
3
Ethics & Oversight
Certified professionals are expected to follow the Code of Ethics, maintain appropriate boundaries, and participate in accountability and review processes.
4
Public Verification
Credential verification enables churches, ministries, institutions, employers, and members of the public to confirm certification status.
Our Community
Who We Serve
GAOCPC supports individuals and organizations seeking responsible Christian counseling, chaplaincy, certification, and accountability.
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Pastoral Counselors & Chaplains
Christian care providers seeking structured certification, professional recognition, ethical accountability, and continuing development.
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Churches & Ministries
Faith communities seeking qualified pastoral counselors and chaplains to support spiritual care, crisis response, grief, family support, and community ministry.
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Institutions & Communities
Organizations and communities that value ethical Christian care, accountable service, recognized preparation, and verifiable professional credentials.
Professional Scope & Public Responsibility
GAOCPC certification is a professional credential. It does not, by itself, constitute government licensure or authorization to practise a regulated health or mental-health profession. Certified professionals remain responsible for complying with the laws, protected-title rules, reporting duties, privacy requirements, and professional obligations applicable in the jurisdictions where they serve.
Committed to Faith, Competence & Accountability
Explore GAOCPC certification pathways, verify an existing credential, or contact our office for assistance with certification, membership, training pathways, or professional standards.