Darwin RAAF chaplain Karen Haynes becomes first female chaplain to ordained by Qld Baptists

A Darwin-based air force chaplain has become the first woman to be ordained by Queensland Baptists – and she has reaffirmed her aim of helping RAAF members through trying times with the help of her furry friend. Watch the video.

A Darwin-based air force chaplain has become the first woman to be ordained by Queensland Baptists – and she has reaffirmed her aim of helping RAAF members through trying times with the help of her furry friend.

In May 2024, after about 80 years of consideration as to whether women could be set apart for pastoral ministry, the Queensland Baptist assembly finally voted to allow women’s ordination.

Chaplain Karen Haynes and Connie at the RAAF Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A driving factor for this change was Karen Haynes, a dedicated advocate for female ordination and a chaplain at the RAAF.

Since being ordained in November 2024, Ms Haynes said she hopes to become a role model for her community, including Darwin churches.

“It’s a big encouragement note; people travel from all over to pray for me,” she said.

Chaplain Karen Haynes and Connie at the RAAF Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“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’.

“It’s got a really lifelong calling element to it.”

Currently posted at Darwin’s 13 Squadron in the RAAF, Ms Haynes began her chaplaincy role in June 2016 and has since been posted to bases across the country.

Chaplain Karen Haynes and Connie at the RAAF Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In her role, Ms Haynes provides pastoral care and counselling services to members of the base who are enduring hardship.

“It’s my job to support the members on our base, particularly looking out for their spiritual welfare,” she said.

“All the stuff that doesn’t fit into the concrete part of life; what’s our meaning, what’s our purpose?”

In her day-to-day duties at the Darwin base, Ms Haynes is often accompanied by her trusty sidekick, Connie, a black labrador.

“She changes the dynamic of every meeting … every room she’s in she’s the most popular,” she said.

“When the meetings get too long and boring she usually signals it’s time to end it by lying on the floor or doing something to (help) wrap it up.

“She really changes the tone for people, and helps them bring out a gentler side or a different side of who they are.”