Chaplain Nick Braschler
DIRECTOR OF Chaplain Services & COMMUNITY GIVING
E: nick.braschler@simfoods.com
O: 479-215-2201
C: 479-228-3270
What did you do before coming to Simmons?
I was serving as an Associate Pastor of Youth and Worship at a small country church in Gravette, AR and managing a local restaraunt when I was asked to join the Chaplain team at Simmons.
When and why did you become a Chaplain?
Honestly, when I got the call to see if I was interested in applying for the position back in July of 2010, my first question was, "What in the world is a Chicken Chaplain?" I didn't even know that companies had Chaplains, much less right here in Siloam Springs. My family and I were actually planning to move closer to family when this job came about. Wil Gardner talked me into trying it for 90 days. I soon realized that God had been equiping me for this my whole life. It has given me so many opportunities to grow and learn, as well as develop skills such as effective listening, compassion, and teaching.
Where did you go to school?
In May 2016, I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Masters in Pastoral Leadership. I studied at John Brown University for four(ish) years and graduated with my ministry degree in 2010. I graduated from Maize High School in Maize, KS (suburb of Wichita).
Where have you lived?
I was born in Springfield, MO. My dad was a pastor and we moved quite a bit early on. He was singing on my family's show in Branson, The Braschler Music Show, when I as born. We moved to West Palm Beach, FL, when I was 2, and then on to Lexington, KY, shortly after. When I was 5, we moved to Casper, WY, where we lived for 5 years. When I was in the fifth grade, we moved to Wichita, KS. I moved out at 17 to Siloam Springs to attend JBU and have been in NWA since with no plans of leaving.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy raising cattle, building furniture, reading, flyfishing, bird hunting, and singing/writing music.
What are some of your favorite quotes?
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." | Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
"Life is a journey...Every journey has a destination. Everybody ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose. Those are the ones with vision. A clear vision, along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increases your chances of coming to the end of your life, looking back with a deep abiding satisfaction and thinking: I did it. I succeeded. I finished well. My life counted." | Andy Stanley
"Always drink upstream from the herd." | Will Rogers
Do you have any pets or raise any animals?
We have one dog, Boone. He is a six year old yellow Lab and a bird hunting machine! We also have 12 head of cattle and hope to continue to grow in the near future.
If you could do anything for one day and money is not an issue, what would you do?
I have always wanted to go to the Holy Lands. I want to walk where Jesus walked.
Who have been the most influential people in your life?
My Dad - He taught me how to be a man, how to take risks, how to fail forward, and how to lead your family well.
My Mom - She taught me how to listen, that it's okay to be quiet, and how to serve others unconditionally.
My Wife - She has taught me what exceptional friendship can look like, what true grace looks like, and she is also responsible for me gaining about a hundo (that's 100 lbs...) since we got married. She is a PHENOMENAL cook!
Wil Gardner, Larry Hendren, Frank Crosby - These men have taught me how to be servant leaders, how to be compassionate, how to balance helping/enabling, and they have modeled what sacrifice looks like.
Simmons Team Members - I learn something new from our people every day. Whether it's wisdom they share, or allowing me to be part of their story - to experience and learn alongside them. I am grateful for that.
