Trinity Health Pastoral Care Team l to r: Rev. Luther Hanson, Rev. Elaine Sveet, Rev. Michael Parker, Fr. Sylvester Onyeachonam, Deacon Anna Dykeman, Rev. Brian Krebs.

Our Chaplains are highly educated and trained professionals who can minister to your spiritual needs, who care about you, and who can assist you in your relationships with others and with God. They have all received extensive training and education in pastoral care, counseling, and ministry from accredited seminaries.

Fr Sylvester Onyeachonam, director of Pastoral Care since 2021, has over two decades of experience as a Pastor, and Chaplain in Nigeria, Ireland and United States. He has witnessed the heartache of difficult decisions and loss of loved ones that endure across borders and cultures.

“As Chaplains, we are human, vulnerable and we face the same realities as the patients and families we minister to. Yet in our brokenness, God uses us to heal our fellow broken brothers and sisters,” he said. “However, this does not make it easy.  We face difficult moments when parents or family are overwhelmed by the events happening in their life and they look to us for answers, and yet all we can do is to be there, providing pastoral, healing presence.”

Fr Onyeachonam can be reached at 701-857-3433

Rev. Luther Hanson began at Trinity as an intern in 1972. While in seminary, he focused on geriatric ministry, and after finishing his Master of Divinity degree in 1974, Hanson returned full-time to Trinity Homes and part-time to Trinity Hospital. He became full-time Trinity Homes chaplain in 1987 and currently continues his service on a part-time basis. Over the years, Hanson’s pastoral care opportunities have grown to include baptisms, memorial services and weddings for both residents, staff members and their families. He has enjoyed assisting local clergy and their designated volunteers, many of whom have served with him for decades, in ministering to their members. Designing interior and exterior space for seasonal activities and resident enjoyment has become an additional side line.

 “As an artist, musician, landscaper, interior and seasonal decorator and pastor, Trinity Homes has allowed me to use all my talents and imagination throughout these years to provide a challenging and rewarding day,” he says.

Rev. Brian Krebs has been staff chaplain at Trinity Hospital since 2009 and can be found on the Surgical floor (4^th) or facilitating meetings for Trinity Addiction Services. Prior to coming to Trinity, he was a teacher and a minister, but was drawn to healthcare due to the many different needs of people and ministry.

“Chaplains are available for crisis because we are on call 24/7/365. My experience at a code blue, heart emergency reminds me that the person and their family will be looking for spiritual support. This may be a prayer or a presence of support. Whether in the ER, home of a hospice patient, or at a recovery meeting, I provide emotional and spiritual care to the patient and family as needed,” he said.

Rev. Krebs can be reached at 701-857-5228

Rev. Michael Parker joined Trinity Health in 2014 as hospital and hospice chaplain. In the late ‘90’s, Parker was involved in a life-threatening accident and found the frequent visits of the hospital chaplain a great help during his time of need. While in seminary school, Parker worked part-time at Kmart, where he struck up a conversation with a hospital chaplain shopping in his department. “He invited me to be a volunteer chaplain at his hospital, which further influenced my career trajectory,” he said.

Parker admits that being a spiritual caregiver can sometimes be exhausting. “But I also discovered that while as a chaplain I am called to minister to others, God is also ministering to me. When I realize God’s grace and strength are sufficient for me, I am more authentic in my message of help and hope to others overwhelmed by their situation.”

Rev. Parker can be reached at 701-857-3432

Rev. Elaine Sveet joined Trinity Health in January 2022, after serving as a pastor for 20 years in churches in Canada and North Dakota. As hospital chaplain, she serves in the ICU, ER and Pediatric departments.

Sveet is a self-described supporter of others, compassionate listener and a force of calm under pressure. Switching career tracks offers her a new challenge and better work-life balance. However, the toll and weight of her work at Trinity can be heavy at times.

“We deal with many people in stressful, scary or grieving times. The work can be sad at times,” Sveet said. Gratitude for her efforts comes from patients and families who appreciate her consistent, encouraging visits.

 “I had an ICU patient who was not able to speak, yet she would mouth the words ‘God bless you’ to me after our prayers together. Words of gratitude and affirmation make a beautiful impact on us chaplains when patients, families or staff take time to remember us and our work in their busyness.”

Rev. Sveet can be reached at 701-857-5708

Deacon Anna Dykeman recently joined the Pastoral Care Team at Trinity as a Chaplain Associate. She is a Deacon in the Lutheran ELCA, has lived in Minot for the past five years, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work.  Her passion for hospitality and listening motivates her good work at Trinity Hospice and Hospital.

“As a practitioner of Spiritual Wellness, the call to offer safe space for patients and their families to tell their stories is a priority. To be present with and for all people at Trinity is a sacred opportunity,” Dykeman says.

Deacon Dykeman can be reached at 701-857-5082