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Welcome to Western Montana Chaplains Alliance
Serving Western Montana through compassionate presence, community partnerships, and Christ-centered service.
Who We Are
WMCA
The Western Montana Chaplains Alliance, WMCA, is a chartered ministry of the Seneca Community Chaplain Corps, SC3, serving Missoula and communities throughout Western Montana.
WMCA exists to develop, equip, and support chaplains who are prepared to serve wherever the need arises. Our chaplains and ministry partners serve in correctional settings, churches, community organizations, Native Nations communities, crisis situations, and other places where compassionate presence and spiritual care are needed.
WMCA also works closely with the Native Nations Chaplaincy Alliance and its Executive Director, Senior Chaplain Mike McElderry, to strengthen chaplaincy relationships and training opportunities among Native Nations communities throughout Montana.
Our Mission
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Mission
Our mission is to strengthen chaplaincy throughout Western Montana by developing trained chaplains, building trusted partnerships, and providing Christ-centered care to individuals, families, and communities.
Chaplain Training
Preparing chaplains to serve with compassion, professionalism, and integrity.
Community Ministry
Supporting individuals and families through presence, prayer, encouragement, and practical care.
Correctional Ministry
Serving alongside churches and ministry teams within detention and correctional settings.
Native Nations Partnership
Working with the Native Nations Chaplaincy Alliance to support chaplain training and relationship-building throughout Montana.
Crisis & Pastoral Support
Providing compassionate spiritual care during difficult, traumatic, and life-changing circumstances.
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Meet Our Executive Director
Senior Chaplain Mitch Waritz
Mitch Waritz serves as Executive Director of the Western Montana Chaplains Alliance, an SC3 charter serving the Missoula, Montana area.
Mitch brings more than a decade of correctional ministry experience, including 12 years of ministry at the Missoula County Detention Center and four years in ministry at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.
Mitch is also Director of Chain Breaker Ministry and was ordained as a Senior Chaplain through the International Alliance of Community Chaplains in 2019. He has worked closely with the Native Nations Chaplaincy Alliance and has helped with chaplain training among Native Nations communities across Montana.
Native Nations Partnership
Sr. Chaplain Mike McElderry
WMCA works closely with the Native Nations Chaplaincy Alliance and its Executive Director, Senior Chaplain Mike McElderry, to strengthen chaplaincy throughout Montana and Native Nations communities.
Mitch has assisted with IAOCC chaplain training alongside Dr. Tracy Elder, including two trainings with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation, training at Fort Belknap, and training in Billings involving members of the Blackfeet, Apache, and Crow Nations.
The goal of this partnership is to build lasting relationships, strengthen local chaplaincy, and help develop trained chaplains who can serve within their own communities with compassion, cultural respect, and Christ-centered care.
A Legacy of Faithful Service
In Loving Memory of Sr. Chaplain Susan Waritz
Mitch’s ministry has been deeply shaped by his wife, ministry partner, and fellow IAOCC Senior Chaplain, Susan Waritz.
Susan went home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2025, while worshiping. Her life reflected a deep commitment to Christ, service, and caring for others.
Although she is greatly missed, Susan’s influence continues through Mitch’s ministry and through the many people and organizations whose lives were touched by her example of Christ-centered service.
Her legacy remains an important part of the heart and history of the Western Montana Chaplains Alliance.
Western Montana Chaplains Alliance
An SC3 Chartered Ministry
The Western Montana Chaplains Alliance operates as a chartered ministry of the Seneca Community Chaplain Corps, SC3, and shares in SC3’s mission of developing and supporting chaplains who serve communities with compassion, integrity, and Christ-centered care.
WMCA works in partnership with SC3, IAOCC, and the Native Nations Chaplaincy Alliance to strengthen chaplaincy throughout Montana and beyond.
