University Chaplain

The Chaplain nurtures and supports spirituality, faith and religious life at Willamette University through meaningful individual conversations and interfaith dialogue.

The Chaplain supports those of all faith traditions and those who claim no particular faith. The Chaplain hopes to walk alongside community members as they explore and deepen their spiritual identity, while serving as a bridge between diverse religious traditions to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect.

The Chaplain's Office is committed to creating a sanctuary of welcome, inclusion, and healing — a space where every individual is celebrated and valued for the fullness of who they are.

Here, all are invited to bring their whole selves as they navigate questions of meaning, purpose, and belonging.

• Duties of the Chaplain

   The University Chaplain will:

  • Be called on to offer graces and invocations at official university functions including meetings, memorial services, and signature events like convocation and commencement;
  • Coordinate community response to crisis and celebration including:
    • Organizing group reflection sessions during community tragedies or national events;
    • Facilitating community celebrations of life (acknowledging births and deaths) and healing processes after difficult incidents (deaths, illness, other traumatic events felt by the community);
  • Serve as a resource for individual spiritual support;
  • Be available for religious or spiritual guidance to any member of the Willamette community (Note: Bishop Wellness will continue to meet other student counseling needs); and
  • Build bridges with local religious communities and facilitate student engagement with off-campus spiritual resources.
• Meet the Chaplain

  Ken Wytsma

  Biography

  Ken Wytsma serves as the part-time University Chaplain at Willamette University, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership, theology, and community building. With a background in both ministry and academia, Ken has spent years navigating the intersection of faith, justice, and leadership. He has been a church planter, pastor, and is licensed in the United Methodist Church (UMC). His work focuses on justice and the integration of faith with societal transformation.

  Ken is also a published author, with works such as Pursuing Justice, The Myth of Equality (which won a Publishers Weekly award for one of the Top 5 Religion Books of the Year), and Create vs. Copy, reflecting his deep engagement with justice, equality, and the ethical implications of modern life. His latest manuscript, The Sleep You Are Longing For, explores the intersection of sleep, happiness, and well-being, combining historical, cultural, and philosophical perspectives with practical applications for health and spiritual life.

  With almost two decades of experience, Ken has engaged colleges and universities both nationally and globally through lectures and various courses that reflect his areas of study and expertise.

  As chaplain, Ken seeks to facilitate a vibrant spiritual life at Willamette University, guiding students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of purpose, community, and leadership. He also brings a unique perspective to his role, drawing from his extensive travels, study of global cultures, and experience in fostering community and justice-driven initiatives.

  At heart, Ken is a history lover with a particular passion for studying the history of human rights and how the Renaissance impacted and helped shape the world in which we live today. He enjoys relaxing to documentaries and spending time with his wife Tamara and their four daughters, especially when the oldest two are in town.

  Education

  2004 | Master of Arts - Biblical Studies, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA

  2004 | Master of Arts - Philosophy of Religion & Ethics, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA, cum laude

  1997 | Bachelor of Science -Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

  Licensed Local Pastor (LLP) — United Methodist Church

  Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 with distinction

  Selected Publications

  Books

  The Sleep You’re Longing For, Brazos Publishers, forthcoming 2026.

  The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege, InterVarsity Press, 2017 (Named one of the Top 5 Religion Books of the Year by Publishers Weekly). Banned Book from Federal Institutions by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 2025.

  Redeeming How We Talk, coauthor, Moody Publishers, 2018.

  Create vs. Copy: Embrace Change. Ignite Creativity. Breakthrough with Imagination, Moody Publishers, 2016.

  A New Kind of Apologist, contributor, Harvest House Publishers, 2016.

  The Grand Paradox: The Messiness of Life, the Mystery of God, and the Necessity of Faith, Thomas Nelson, 2015.

  Pursuing Justice: The Call to Live and Die for Bigger Things, with D.R. Jacobsen, Thomas Nelson, 2013.

  Articles

  “Why Race Matters in our Gospel Conversations,” Outreach Magazine, Jan/Feb 2018

  “Why the Gospel Needs Generous Creativity,” Outreach Magazine, May 2016

  “Why the Metric of Love is Sacrifice,” Outreach Magazine, April 2015

  “It’s Okay to Live with Questions.” RELEVANT Magazine, March 2015

  “Faith at the Holidays. ” FOX News, December 2014

  “Can We Really Change the World?” ChurchLeaders Top 100: 2013 Edition, edited by Brian Orme, Outreach, Inc., 2013

  “What Divides Us?” The Huffington Post, November 2013

  “Are We Talking Too Fast?” The Huffington Post, May 2013

  “Richard Twiss, Speaking Plain Truth and Promoting Diversity at Conferences, ” The Huffington Post, April 2013

  “Justice Toward the Immigrant” The Huffington Post, March 2013

  “In With The Just, ” Relevant Magazine, January/February 2013

  “Is Justice Just a Fad?” The Huffington Post, January 2013