Roberto Rossi

Rev. Roberto Rossi graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2013. Since then, he has served a few congregations – most recently as the Pastor of Immanuel United Reformed Church in Demotte, IN. He has faithfully labored there since 2019. The Lord has been pleased to bless the church with spiritual and numerical growth over the years. Now, Rev. Rossi finds himself making plans to answer a new call – this one, perhaps a little less traditional: Chaplaincy in the United States Navy.

As he reflects on the question of why he would ever leave a fruitful ministry for the Navy chaplaincy, he can only point to one thing: God’s call. “This was not something I sought out,” Rev. Rossi remarks, “instead, the Lord opened my eyes and heart to the profound spiritual need among the men and women in uniform.” The Lord is leading him toward a new chapter in a different field of ministry, and as Rev. Rossi reflects on his ministerial career thus far, he recognizes how the Lord has been preparing him for this moment.

Why the U.S. Navy? “Three years ago, our son, Matteo, enlisted in the Navy, which opened an entirely new perspective for us. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several Navy bases, engaging with sailors and marines from various backgrounds, cultures, and even countries. The military is a unique mission field with its own set of challenges, including spiritual struggles and a profound need for support and guidance,” says Rev. Rossi.

During these visits, Rev. Rossi intentionally connected with sailors and marines, engaging in meaningful conversations to understand their family and religious beliefs. Some of them shared their struggles openly, wrestling with the emotional toll of being separated from their spouse and children. While these personal conversations were significant, they were not the only things that shaped Rev. Rossi’s decision. His awareness of the great spiritual need in the military deepened as he read articles about Navy chaplains and their work.

Many sailors face spiritual crises, mental health struggles, and even trauma, with a particularly high rate of suicide among enlisted sailors, marines and veterans. The use of psychedelic drugs to help those suffering from PTSD, depression, and other mental illnesses is common. These men and women, many of whom have never seen war, live with intense grief, despair, and hopelessness.

“There is a hunger for truth, for spiritual care, and for counsel in the military,” Rev. Rossi comments, “yet I wrestled with the question: why would I leave a fruitful ministry? Why would I step out of the ‘comfort’ of the ministry we have here?”

With the encouragement of his family and close friends, Rev. Rossi took the next step: a physical evaluation at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Indianapolis. “At age 50, Carrie and I both thought that if I didn’t pass the physical, it would be clear that the door was closed. But to our surprise, I qualified, and the door remained open to continue the application process with the Navy. Several months later, I was selected by the Navy Board of Chaplains and commissioned.”

With God’s call confirmed, Rev. Rossi stands ready to step into this new chapter, trusting that God is leading him to bring the hope and light of Jesus Christ to sailors – preaching, teaching, evangelizing, and counseling in His name. “We are excited to see how God will continue to work through us,” says Rev. Rossi, “knowing that the mission f ield in the military is vast, and the need for spiritual care is great. The mission field is ripe for harvest, and we are humbled to be part of the work that God is doing in the lives of the men and women who serve in our nation’s military.”