In 2005, the Kalispell Fire Department began a chaplain program made up of four pastors who committed to volunteer at least ten hours each month.  As one of the original chaplains, Drew Buckner found himself challenged and energized by the opportunity to minister to firefighter/paramedics as well as helping the citizens in crisis.

In 2008, Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset asked the chaplains to assist their personnel with both professional and personal needs along with serving citizens which they agreed to. Two years later the A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance of Kalispell Regional Medical Center requested that the chaplains be available to help them process difficult calls upon request. The volunteer chaplains consented to help them also.

By this time Drew felt the Lord leading him to transition from the pastorate to serve as a full-time chaplain to emergency responders, their families, and citizens in crisis throughout Flathead County. Because he knew he would not be compensated by the agencies, Drew and his wife Brenda began the 501(c)3 non-profit corporation through which the chaplain ministry would be funded.

The Lord instilled the name Braveheart on Drew, provided a CPA to complete the IRS non-profit application, a graphic designer to create the logo, and five board members apart from him and Brenda.

Initial funding came as a result of contacting family, friends, churches and some businesses. Funds continue to come from these sources, though a higher percentage of the income is now from more local sources.

In 2011, Drew began providing chaplain services to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. This connection along with the natural overlap on scenes opened opportunities to assist agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Montana Highway Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, Glacier National Park, Flathead and North Valley Search and Rescue units, Evergreen Fire Department and many outlying fire departments.

Within the past few years, Chaplain Drew also began serving the Flathead County detention officers along with 911 dispatchers.

Braveheart’s board now has ten faithful members who provide governance and oversee fundraising.

The future will hopefully include a second full-time chaplain through Braveheart and the establishment of an endowment which would provide adequate, sustainable funding.