What gives me hope? It’s those three qualities: community, ethical action, deep commitment to the common good, that I see lived out every day here at North Central College. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM Communications

Oct. 31, 2025 | By Wendy R. Cromwell

ATLANTA — The Rev. Max Blalock, newly appointed chaplain at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, sees the transformative power of an inclusive community. “When given the opportunity to create an open, honest, vulnerable, transformative, inclusive, courageous community, students do it,” Blalock said. “The results are amazing — lives are not only transformed, they are literally saved.” 

The Rev. Max Blalock

Blalock, a native of Oneonta, Alabama, began his chaplaincy at North Central in July, marking his 20th year in campus ministry. He was ordained a full elder in 2000 after attending the United Methodist-related Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles. 

What brings him joy on campus is witnessing the collective care among faculty, staff and students. “We are a campus that is over 40% first-generation students, and the college does an amazing job of supporting those students in every way,” Blalock said. 

Blalock finds deep fulfillment in walking alongside students during their formative years. “The students! It is a joy to be able to journey alongside students,” he said. “The incredible bonus to being a chaplain is that I get to have wonderful relationships with faculty and staff as well.” 

This year, Blalock is building relationships across campus while navigating broader societal tensions. “There is a real fear permeating a variety of student groups on campus,” he said, acknowledging the concerns about students and families being targeted by immigration officials. 

Despite these challenges, Blalock is energized by student-led interfaith initiatives and service-learning trips to Chicago. “The biggest plans for this year thus far revolve around interfaith events initiated by students,” he said. 

To church members, Blalock offers a clear message: “We literally save lives by creating inclusive, supportive, compassionate, courageous communities on our campus.” 

He hopes they also know his heart. “I am a passionate follower of Jesus who embodies the work of empowering students, of all faiths and no faith, to develop moral/ethical centers that move them to build community and work for the common good.”