Air Force Chaplain Karen Haynes has become the first woman to be ordained by Queensland Baptists, and the first female Baptist to serve as a chaplain in the Defence Force. Currently posted to Darwin, Karen is a missionary member of Darwin Baptist Church.
Karen described the ordination as an affirmation of her calling. “It represents the church having a vote of confidence in you, saying ‘yes, we’re setting you apart to do this work. We believe in you; you can do this’.”
She joined the Air Force in 2016 and has served at multiple Defence bases. Now posted at 13 Squadron in Darwin, Karen provides pastoral, spiritual and religious care as well as moral and ethical advice to command. To enhance her holistic care of Air Force members, she recently welcomed a chaplaincy welfare dog, Connie, into her office.
Her ordination follows years of advocacy for women in ministry. In May 2024, Queensland Baptists voted to allow women’s ordination after decades of discussion. Karen played an active role in this movement. “Women and men have always been involved in all types of service in the church, but many churches have differentiated between men and women’s roles, particularly in leadership,” she noted.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “For me, part of the challenge of discerning pastoral ministry from the get-go was not having met a female pastor before. If I can be that example, I hope it helps other women pursuing ordination.”
Karen recalls then meeting Melinda Cousins, who was working towards her accreditation at the time. In Melinda, Karen saw “a role model of a single woman, serving in the church and welcomed to do so by her peers”.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue to serve in Defence and eventually train future chaplains before returning to local church ministry. “To those who have prayed and worked for women to be fully included in the mission of the church, I say ‘well done and thank you’.”
Darwin Baptist Church shared their well-wishes through Facebook; “Congratulations Karen, an amazing achievement. We are grateful to have you as part of our congregation, and we continue to pray for you in your very important role within our Defence Force.”
