Chaplain Bill Cox
Assistant Director of Pastoral Care
Freeman Health System
1102 West 32nd St. • Joplin, MO
417.347.5310 • www.freemanhealth.com
“Providing a non-anxious presence and active listening are some ways chaplains can be a part of the holistic team in providing adequate healthcare that persons need and deserve.”
Physical and spiritual well-being are often connected.
That’s why Pastoral Care services at Freeman Health System are paramount to holistic healing for patients and their loved ones. Pastoral care is available at Freeman 24/7, 365 days per year.
Chaplain Bill Cox is dedicated to providing personalized pastoral care, spiritual support and religious services as a hospital chaplain.
After several years as a floor chaplain, Cox stepped into the assistant director of pastoral care role in April 2017. He still spends time as a floor chaplain because he wanted to continue connecting with guests seeking guidance.
“Everyone has a story, and for those who are ready and willing to share it, it is fulfilling to hear what makes a person tick,” he said. “Stories are fascinating and very revealing in regard to whether a person is at peace with self, God, others, circumstances or their environment. Providing a non-anxious presence and active listening are some ways chaplains can be a part of the holistic team in providing adequate healthcare that persons need and deserve.”
As assistant director, Cox provides guidance and support for pastoral care staff. He works alongside Supervisor Ryan Melton to establish goals and vision for the department. He also supervises clinical pastoral education, which provides up to four units of learning for persons aspiring to be chaplains or improve pastoral skills. The units involve a 12-week period with didactics, group work and 300 hours of visitation in the hospital setting.
Prior to joining the Freeman team in 2012, Cox was pastor at First Baptist Church in Nevada for 33 years. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is certified as a pastoral counselor and clinical chaplain through The College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. He is currently working toward supervisor certification.
In his spare time, Cox enjoys reading, yard work, travel, swimming, working out, and he recently picked up pickleball. He’s a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. He and his wife, Marie, love spending time with their four children and eight grandchildren.