Al Carden

Al Carden is an experienced pastoral care leader and hospital chaplain with more than 40 years of service in spiritual care, counseling, and healthcare ministry. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, he has dedicated his career to supporting patients, families, and healthcare professionals through illness, grief, and end-of-life experiences. His journey into chaplaincy began after serving in churches and developing a background in music, which led him to pursue Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). His early clinical training included working with individuals experiencing chemical dependency, substance abuse, and psychiatric challenges. After completing his training in the Florida Panhandle, he began his professional chaplaincy career in Kentucky before moving to Mississippi, where he built a long-standing career in hospital pastoral care and spiritual leadership. Carden spent more than 24 years serving a hospital in Mississippi, where he advanced to Director of Pastoral Care and became a Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor, training and mentoring future chaplains. He has been affiliated with Mississippi Baptist Health System for more than three decades and has served as Director of Pastoral Care and CPE Supervisor, providing administrative leadership and supporting the professional development of pastoral care teams. His career also includes five years as Director of Pastoral Care at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, followed by two and a half years as a hospice chaplain in Houston, Texas. Since 2009, he has also served as a CPE Supervisor with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, contributing to the education and supervision of pastoral care professionals. His approach emphasizes compassionate service, inspirational leadership, and keeping the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families at the center of care. Now semi-retired from some aspects of his clinical work, Carden continues to contribute to the profession through his affiliation with Clinical Pastoral Education International and his online training and supervision work with On Track Clinical Training and Supervision. He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Counseling from Columbia Theological Seminary and maintains professional affiliations with the Clinical Pastoral Education International. In addition to his chaplaincy and supervisory work, he is the author of three books and maintains BridgeBuilder101.com, reflecting his interest in spiritual care, personal growth, and near-death experiences. His areas of specialization include hospital chaplaincy, pastoral care administration, Clinical Pastoral Education supervision, chaplain training and mentorship, hospice and palliative care, spiritual counseling, and near-death experiences.