The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) named retired Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) David Cyr as Executive Director of the NAE Chaplains Commission, which provides support and endorsement for evangelicals to minister as chaplains to three branches of the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Cyr joined the NAE staff Feb. 1. 

“David Cyr brings a wealth of experience to the NAE Chaplains Commission,” said Leith Anderson, NAE President. “As a member of the Chief of Chaplains’ special staff, he provided guidance regarding the religious and moral welfare of all Air Force personnel, including 2,200 chaplains and chaplain assistants.”

Cyr served in the U.S. Air Force for 32 years, retiring from his distinguished career as Deputy Chief of Air Force Chaplains in June 2011. Cyr has also served as Chaplain School Instructor and Executive Officer to the Chief of Chaplains, Joint Staff Chaplain at the Pentagon, Command Chaplain for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Combat Command, and Commandant at the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Service Institute.

“It is my honor to serve our nation’s heroes — men and women who voluntarily go in harm’s way to defend America’s precious liberties,” Cyr said. “As Executive Director of the Chaplains Commission, I will also work with institutional chaplains who provide for the spiritual care of those in our veterans hospitals and who are incarcerated in our prisons. Chaplains are on the cutting edge of marketplace ministry, and I’m pleased to lead them in this extremely challenging and rewarding vocation.”

Before becoming a chaplain in 1979, Cyr pastored churches in Maine and Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Valley Forge Christian College, Bangor Theological Seminary, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the National War College, and is ordained by the Assemblies of God denomination.

The NAE Chaplains Commission was formed in 1944 to assist evangelical chaplains in the military. The Chaplains Commission represents over 1,000 active duty, Reserve, National Guard and civilian institutional chaplains serving around the world and directly endorses nearly 100 chaplains and candidates in the U.S. Armed Forces and the Veterans Affairs. The Chaplains Commission also brings together other evangelical endorsing bodies to work together on issues of concern and provide greater support for members of the Armed Forces.