ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q3-2025

Mike Hardee A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

FBINAA.ORG | Q3 2025

W hen I was inducted as National Board Chaplain four years ago, I told the audience that if anyone who knew me 30 years earlier learned that I’d been appointed NA Chaplain, they’d probably think, “God really does work in mysterious ways!” Although I was driven and highly disciplined on the job in my thirties and forties, along with that came some not so admi rable traits—I was hard, rigid, strict, and I lacked compassion. I was easy to anger and always ready to fight. Today, I am amazed at the changes that have shaped my spiritual growth—strengthened by the honor of serving as Chap lain these past four years. And while I don’t condemn my old self, I am thankful that I’ve shed so much of the hardness that once separated me from others. So, as I write my final article as National Board Chaplain, I wanted to not only express my gratitude and appreciation for this amazing experience but also to reflect on our accomplish ments over the past four years. My journey to becoming NA Chaplain began with a seem ingly easy assignment. Shortly after returning from the National Academy, I was sitting in the back corner of one of my first Florida Chapter meetings taking notes and hoping to remain anonymous for a while, when I was shocked to hear my name called. I was--without warning or preparation--asked to give an impromptu invocational prayer. I had never led a group in prayer, much less my law enforcement peers. I have no idea what I said that day, but to my surprise I soon became the go-to person for prayer, and for the next eight years I was the unofficial acting Chaplain for the Florida Chapter. That was the precursor for our Spiritual Leadership Network. When then-National Board President Joe Hellebrand an nounced my name at the Presidents’ reception in Orlando, I felt the excitement of privilege and honor. It was then, and remains today, a humbling experience. My first order of business was to lean on the broad shoul ders of our Past National Board Chaplain Jeff Kruithoff for his tender guidance and support. Without waiver, he hand-walked me through the learning curve of duties and responsibilities. When I needed him, he was always there for me. I have always felt a comfort of support when I look out at the audience and see him helping me in prayer. My first real assignment came at our Chapter Leadership Conference, where I presided over the Hall of Honor Ceremonies. It was on this solemn occasion that I knew I was in the right place at the right time. I feel that to honor our brothers and sisters who gave their lives so others may live is the highest privilege we can experience in this profession. Over the past four years we have inducted five of our own into the Hall of Honor: Greg Carnicle, NA Session 229, Moham med Anwar Monniri, NA Session 251, and James G. Molly, NA Session 193, Janelle Sanders, NA Session 280 and Horren Randy Taylor, NA Session 228.

My own family had lost our oldest grandson in an automo bile accident only a few days earlier and so I suddenly under stood what it felt like to lose someone you love dearly. God had his hand on me the whole time, giving me the power of prayer and the faith that we would continue to trust in the Lord. I learned that it is our faith and spiritual commitment that allows us to recover, rebuild and inspire others. “Life can only be enjoyed as one acquires a true perspective of life and death and of the real purpose of life.” (Spiros Zodhiates, Walking with God by David Jeremiah). Spiritual support, I quickly learned, goes both ways in this position. I received unconditional support, personal prayers and old-fashioned friendship from many of you then, and I am sincerely grateful. Helping each other during difficult times by sharing God’s word is our commitment to be good stewards to His teachings. Although my spiritual awakening was honed by this tragedy, it also led me to a most amazing four years as your Chaplain. I had seen firsthand how important it is to provide guidance and spiritual assistance during difficult times. As part of my duty to reach out to the loved ones of members that have recently passed through condolence letters, I began to see the need for there to be someone in each chapter who can do this in a more immediate and personal manner. So, in March 2021, the FBINAA Spiritual Leadership Network was created to provide support to families and colleagues on a local level. Perhaps this is the ultimate member service, to provide a platform of faith for those who need someone to talk to and pray with, or to just listen. I am extremely pleased that so many Chapters have selected their own Chapter Chaplains for the Spiritual Leadership Network. My next order of business as the new Chaplain-on-the-block was at our National Conference in Cleveland with the Memory Table ceremony. As the names were called of those who passed since our last conference, it occurred to me that we could contin ue to honor these great men and women throughout the confer ence if we were to set up a monitor with the names continuously scrolling. We accomplished that in time for the next conference in Dallas.

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