LEWISTON — Eddie Greyfox Burgess’ path to becoming a chaplain began in the aftermath of 9/11.

His volunteer work with AmeriCorps and the American Red Cross brought him alongside chaplains at ground zero for weeks after the tragedy. He was quickly told he was a natural fit.

“‘You operate like us, you think like us, you respond to people well and people are drawn to you,'” he said chaplains working there told him. “‘You have a gift, and you shouldn’t waste that gift.'”

He went on to respond to several other emergencies — a coal mine flood in Tennessee, wildfires in California. Nearly 25 years later, Burgess is an interfaith chaplain based in Lewiston who is often sought by the community.

He goes anywhere he’s needed and serves any faith. He assists hospice organizations, military families and firefighters. He responds to Christian families, Native American families and Gold Star families. He’s also a chaplain for the Federation of Fire Chaplains.

The 47-year-old said he simply goes where he’s asked to go, whether to a devout Catholic, to someone with an “Earthbound spirituality,” or to an atheist. He said sometimes someone’s faith can be through volunteer work, if “that’s how (they) are one with a higher power.”

“I see all walks of life and kinds of faith, and we address people where they are in their journey,” he said. “Sometimes people need to be guided.”

As an interfaith chaplain, he said it’s his job to be “well-rounded” in his ability to respond. He described his role as being a resource.

“If we come to a fire, or a death notification of a homeless person, we never know what faith they might have been connected to,” he said. “It’s more important to hear God’s call for service, serve those in need, and be as well-rounded as possible.”

In Lewiston, he’s often the bridge between the public and faith leaders. People may want to get in touch with a clergy member or other faith leader, but may not have a direct relationship. Since he’s well-known in the community, Burgess can make those connections.

In the aftermath of a neighborhood fire, some residents may want to talk about their stress, but then connect with a pastor or other faith leader.

“I’m completely fine with being the bridge,” he said.

In the years since moving to Lewiston, Burgess received an education and certifications in the field. He founded the Wellness Mobile, a nonprofit supporting veterans and the homeless. In 2023, he was named an alumni of distinction at the University of Southern Maine.

Burgess said his relationship with faith began at an early age, as an altar boy in his youth. He recalled his grandfather telling him that if he believed in God, “you’ll get through the tough times.” He said people need some kind of faith, some type of spirituality, “as long as you have faith in something.”

Over the years, Burgess said he has studied as many faiths as he could.

“One of the biggest things is to be in the present,” he said. “The presence of the person and the presence of the situation. They get comfort knowing we’re listening and we’re accepting what they have to offer, and that alone can be comforting and someone’s greatest hour.”