SPECIAL NEWS ALERTS

(l-r) Jeff Bartels, Chris Underwood, Jeff Roberson and Neal Durham.

Military Chaplain Candidates Graduate from Seminary
June 2004

Graduates from the upcoming June commencement exercises of the Church of God Theological Seminary included four military chaplain candidates. The four graduates - Lt. Jeff Bartels, US Army, Lt. Chris Underwood, US Air Force, Lt. Jeff Roberson, US Army, and, Lt. Neal Durham, US Army, were commissioned as Reserve officers during their first year in seminary.

During their time at seminary, each officer received orders for periodic active duty training – at the military chaplain schools and at other military installations. The chaplain school for the Army is located at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and for the Air Force, at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Through the military chaplain candidate program, each officer—already credentialed as a Church of God minister—is able to integrate his seminary training as a Master of Divinity student with his military chaplaincy training. It is an excellent program through which the Church of God can provide outstanding chaplains to serve the men and women of our nation’s armed forces. Later this summer, the four will complete the final phase of their military training and will then be eligible to apply for active duty or service with National Guard or Reserve units.

'Ministry Of Presence' In Demand
12 February 2004

Chaplain Everett Franklin.CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT — Chaplain Everett Franklin is one of the most traveled soldiers in camp. If soldiers don't go to him, he goes to them. The 41-year-old captain, a Pentecostal who ministers to the 600 soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment from Schofield Barracks, pops into tents and meets and greets soldiers wherever he finds them. He calls it "ministry of presence."

"We (chaplains) mingle and go where the soldiers are, because they may talk to you," Franklin said. "Especially as the anxiety gets higher, I try to circulate more. I ask about their families and how are they doing. Have they contacted home?"

Franklin's outreach increasingly is in demand as the battalion's mission in Iraq nears. Last night in the Camp Virginia Chapel, a big tent with plywood doors painted to resemble stained glass, about 50 soldiers gathered for a service led by the chaplain.

A combat veteran who was with the 3rd Infantry Division as it fought its way to Baghdad last year, Franklin told the soldiers to rely not only on their weapons, but also faith in God."Sometimes when you hear that pop, or see that flash, and know it's coming our way, you can trust God," Franklin said. "Don't think you can do this on your own."

Combat stress teams counsel soldiers, but chaplains are on the front lines of soldiers' lives. A man who has to be gregarious by job description, but has a low-key approach, Franklin says he gets "any issue that you can imagine."

"Generally, relationship issues are very big, and sometimes for the younger soldiers, adjustment issues — adjusting to the military, to an environment like this." As the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) trained for its convoy trip to northern Iraq, Franklin said he's seeing a fairly normal reaction.

"Normal for a unit that's experiencing their first entry — for most of the soldiers — into a combat environment," said Franklin, who's married and has a 9-year-old daughter. Franklin said the soldiers are dealing with the unexpected. "Think of it as a stressful environment, and when you multiply stressors on an individual, the more difficult it is to negotiate. Some will have problems," he said.

Chaplain Everett Franklin, right, of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, embraces soldiers who attended a recent service.There is also a process for soldiers to get counseling if they are having more difficulty than normal, but Franklin said soldiers overall "are confident, willing and determined" about the Iraq mission. "Really, as far as equipping them to go forward, their training plays a huge role in giving them confidence," he said.

Spc. Giovanni Bennett, a 21-year-old rifle team leader from Georgetown, Texas, with Charlie Company, 1-21, said he appreciates Franklin being there. "He'll do stuff for you at the last second, on the spot," Bennett said. "He'll listen whenever you need to talk." Bennett said Franklin is a "very good chaplain. Nine times out of 10 he can probably help you with any problem you have." But he's not a good comedian. "Last week when I went to chapel he tried to make a joke," Bennett said, adding the result failed. "Comedy no, but he more than makes up for it otherwise."

On the more serious side of his duties, Franklin knows the loss of life that combat brings. He was in Kuwait with the 3rd Division in January 2003, took part in the invasion, got back home in June of that year, came to Hawai'i several months later, and now is preparing to go back to Iraq. A non-combatant who does not carry a weapon, Franklin was part of the vanguard that made its way from the south into Baghdad. Along the way, his battalion lost four soldiers.

When that happened, "I did a lot of listening," Franklin said. "I ask them — and we're trained in this — what did they see? How did they experience it? What did they do? After that, we help them to work through it — which is normal stress counseling."

Franklin said as the convoy departure approaches, "you'll see a sharpening of focus," not unlike a big sporting event. For the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Division, it's their Super Bowl.

"The overwhelming majority want to do their part, and there's a great willingness to go forward and do their part," Franklin said.

December 2003
Army Chaplain takes Soldiers to the Mountaintop in Iraq

Church of God Army Chaplain (CPT) Chuck Popov, with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq, is taking soldiers literally to the mountaintop in what he calls Spiritual Fitness Training. Chaplain Popov takes about 30 soldiers on a one-day R&R – a time to provide them with a break from their duty and a time to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in a different setting. This is the way it works. A Chinook helicopter will take Chaplain Popov and his soldiers to the city of Dahuk in northern Iraq. From there, they go out to a mountain and up they climb – as he says, some faster than others. It is a real workout. Once they all reach the top, Chaplain Popov has a short sermon … one last month was taken from the Sermon on the Mount. Chuck calls these soldiers his “climbing disciples” – they are willing to climb and work hard to hear the really good news! “It is indeed Spiritual Fitness Training,” he says. From Habakkuk 3, Chaplain Popov reminds his soldiers upon as they rest and listen upon this high place, “You can rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of your salvation. The Lord God is your strength. Your feet are like hind’s feet and you walk upon His high places.”

After the climb, and the sermon, and a time to just relax and enjoy the spectacular views, the soldiers descend and return to Dahuk for a period of shopping in the local market. “They love to do this,” says Chaplain Popov, “and I love to take them out this way – to make a unique way for these hardworking soldiers to have some special time with the Lord.”

Chaplain Popov will be in Iraq with his troops for a year. Although the opportunities for ministry are tremendous, it remains a very a difficult time for him and for his troops as they serve in a hostile and dangerous environment. Remember to keep Chuck in prayer and his wife Billie Jo who holds up the home front back at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Our other Church of God chaplains who are currently serving in Iraq are: Chaplains Bryan Walker, Terry Simmons, Steve Cantrell, Dan Kinjorski, and Kelly O’Lear. Remember each one and their families back in the states.

"Newest Military Chaplain Reports on Active Duty"

Chaplain (LTJG) Brian Jacobson took the oath of office as an active duty Navy chaplain on 1 October and is right now enroute to his new assignment - Diego Garcia, Chagos Islands.  Just in case you are not sure where Diego Garcia is - look for a tiny atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  Chaplain Jacobson was administered the oath of office as an active duty commissioned officer and chaplain by Larry Merical, his father-in-law and a retired Navy officer.

Brian is a June 2003 graduate of the Church of God Theological Seminary.  He, his wife Keersti, and their son Jake, made their home in Cleveland while Brian attended seminary.  His assignment to Diego Garcia is an unaccompanied tour, so Keersti and Jake will stay in Montana while Brian is away for a 12-month assignment.  Midway through the tour, Brian will have a two-week leave to return home and visit his family.   Diego Garcia will be an extremely busy assignment for Chaplain Jacobson.  Although it is a British military reservation, the US Navy maintains an extensive operation there, supporting our deployed forces throughout the Middle East.

Although Chaplain Jacobson is new to active duty chaplaincy, he has several years of prior military service including active duty as a Marine and also Army National Guard.  Before entering seminary, he pastored churches in Montana and South Dakota for seven years.  Upon completion of his Diego Garcia tour of duty, he will rejoin his family and be assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Army Chaplain Dasha Somaratna

19 September 2003

Army Chaplain (CPT) Dasha Somaratna is one of our Church of God military reserve chaplains who remains mobilized on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . Chaplain Somaratna and his wife Veronica and their three children, Serina age 10, Isaac age 8, and Lailani age 7, make their home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Dasha is a law enforcement officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. His regular chaplain assignment is with an Army Reserve unit in South Carolina. However, with the call-up and mobilization of reserve forces, he is presently serving with the 841st Engineering Battalion out of Florida.

Chaplain Somaratna reports, “We stay extremely busy staffing the military ports at Savannah, Charleston and Jacksonville – initially supporting the deployment of troops and equipment to the Persian Gulf. Now primarily it is to support the return of equipment and personnel. We are also very much involved in Homeland Security."

"Throughout all of these busy operations, there are great opportunities for ministry. Peoples lives have been disrupted and families are separated – all of this provides opportunities to minister to soldiers, counsel with them, and have well-attended services. Many have committed their lives to Christ. It is an exciting time to be serving our Lord” Somaratna said.

Chaplain Somaratna is a graduate of the Church of God Theological Seminary and the European Bible Seminary in Germany. He also holds a Master of Theology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He had prior active duty service in the Army, serving four years as a Chaplain’s Assistant. Dasha, Veronica and their children are yet another Church of God military family who well and faithfully represent our church. Continue to remember them in prayer.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Army Chaplain Dan Kinjorski

Army Chaplain (CPT) Dan Kinjorski is one of our Church of God chaplains who remains deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is assigned to the 32nd Signal Battalion out of Darmstadt, Germany. Chaplain Kinjorski, his wife Maribel, and their two children – David age 12 and Michelle age 11 - make their home in the Darmstadt community. Prior to their assignment in Germany, Dan and his family were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

As with all of our military chaplains deployed to the Middle East during this time of dangerous peace-keeping operations and earlier during the war-fighting operations, the family separation is always difficult. But the reports that Dan sends from Iraq and Kuwait tell of tremendous ministry opportunities to reach men and women for Christ – especially the young soldiers. He tells of scores of young soldiers committing their lives to Christ. Dan is also teaching an Old Testament survey class – over 30 are taking the course, both officers and enlisted personnel. He also reports of receiving several “care packages” from different Churches of God – the materials and goodies are always a big hit and morale booster with the soldiers and he sends a big ‘thank you’ for remembering and supporting the troops.

Chaplain Kinjorski graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 1999 with a Master of Divinity degree and he is also a graduate of East Coast Bible College. He had prior active duty service in the Army before attending college and served eight years in the Army, including a tour of duty in Germany as a young enlisted soldier. Dan enrolled in seminary in 1996 as an Army chaplain candidate. After seminary graduation, he served as an associate pastor in South Dakota for a year and was then selected for active duty. Dan and Maribel have now been serving for four years as an Army chaplaincy family. The Kinjorski family well represents the Church of God, always presenting the highest ideals of ministry and service. Continue to remember them in prayer and for the safe return of Dan and his battalion.

Air Force Reserve Chaplain Selected for Active Duty

20 August 2003

Air Force Reserve Chaplain, Captain, Gloria Tyner has been selected for active duty, and will be reporting this month to the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The Holloman Air Force Base is located near the city of Alamogordo.

Chaplain Tyner, a graduate of the Church of God Theological Seminary and East Coast Bible College, was the first female commissioned officer to serve as a Church of God military chaplain. For the past two years, she has been assigned as a reserve chaplain at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. During this same time, she has worked in Jackson as a full-time clinical chaplain for the state of Mississippi.Chaplain Tyner is the daughter of the late Reverend Willie Tyner, long-time Church of God minister, and his wife Betty, who makes her home in Rockingham, North Carolina.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines:
Army Chaplain Mitchel Tulloss

15 August 2003

Army Chaplain (CPT) Mitchel Tulloss is one of our Church of God military chaplains currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is assigned to the 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery Regiment at Baumholder, Germany. He deployed with his Germany-based unit several weeks ago, arriving initially in Kuwait and he is now with his troops in Iraq. Prior to his assignment in Germany, Chaplain Tulloss was assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Chaplain Tulloss, his wife Crystal, and their two children, Mitchel, age 15, and Alisa, age12, make their home in the Baumholder community. Chaplain Tulloss reminds us that although actual war-fighting operations have been concluded, the current peace-keeping operations are dangerous and soldiers must remain in a constant state of readiness due to hostile activity from Iraqis loyal to Saddam Hussein.

As with all of our chaplains deployed to the Middle East, the family separation is difficult but the ministry opportunities abound. Chaplain Tulloss reports of many soldiers making commitments to Christ and being baptized. Worship services and Bible studies are well-attended and one-on-one counseling is an on-going ministry says Chaplain Tulloss.Chaplain Tulloss graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 1997 with a Master of Divinity degree and he is also a graduate of Lee University. He had prior active duty service in the Army before attending college and later seminary as an military chaplain candidate. While in Cleveland, Tennessee, attending seminary, he served as pastor of the Inman Street Church of God.

He was selected for active duty a short time after seminary graduation. Mitchel and Crystal are representative of the outstanding Church of God chaplaincy families serving our armed forces around the world. They have been serving now for just over six years as an Army chaplain family.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines:
Army Chaplain Terry Simmons

Army Chaplain (CPT) Terry Simmons is one of some 15 Church of God chaplains who remain deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf region. He is assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he has been serving as the chaplain for the Evans Army Community Hospital. Terry and his wife Tammy make their home at Fort Carson, with their four sons – Tyler, Darren, Joshua, and Timothy. The Simmons family has been at Fort Carson for over two years, having transferred there from Fort Gordon, Georgia, where Terry completed a one-year Clinical Pastoral Education residency program at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center. Previous assignments have included Fort Hood, Texas, a tour in Korea, and also an earlier deployment to Kuwait. Chaplain Simmons has been selected for promotion to the rank of Major and will soon be pinning on his new rank.

Chaplain Simmons is currently deployed to Iraq and is serving with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He is holding regular worship services and Bible studies for his soldiers and reports of many opportunities for ministry as he visits with his troops. He says, “I am always being called aside by a soldier to needs to talk about his own spiritual life and well-being – this affords a tremendous opportunity to reach these young men and women for Christ. They also have many concerns about things back at home and it helps them just to talk about it. So again, through their concerns for home and family, I have opportunities to talk with them about spiritual matters.” Chaplain Simmons tells of many who give their hearts to Jesus.

Chaplain Simmons is a graduate of Northwest Bible College and the Church of God Theological Seminary. Terry and Tammy are outstanding representatives of our church, serving Army soldiers and family members faithfully in these times of separation. Please remember to keep the Simmons family in prayer and continue to pray for all of our chaplains and our troops as they remain involved in dangerous peace-keeping operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Air Force Chaplain Ron Parker

Chaplain Parker and his wife Debbie make their home in Bellevue, Nebraska, just outside of Offutt AFB. Debbie is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Ron has had extensive Clinical Pastoral Education training, so together, they bring quite a considerable amount of practical clinical skills to their work together in ministry. As with all of our chaplains deployed during the war in Iraq and the follow-up peacekeeping operations, the family separation is difficult.

Nevertheless, Chaplain Parker echoes the comments of our other chaplains in that the ministry opportunities abound. He reports of many airmen making commitments to Christ. His mission duties kept him moving to various locations throughout the theater of operations, and this afforded him the opportunity to contact many airmen who were in remote locations without a unit chaplain. Chaplain Parker reported, “When they heard a chaplain was there and services would be held, the response was tremendous. What a great opportunity to bring Christ into their lives.”

Chaplain Parker graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 1993 with a Master of Divinity degree and he is also a graduate of East Coast Bible College in Charlotte, NC. He held pastoral ministry positions in Georgia and North Carolina after completing seminary and was pastoring in Westminster, Colorado, when God called him into chaplaincy service. He was selected for Air Force active duty a short time after applying. Ron and Debbie have now been serving as an Air Force chaplaincy family for five years.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Army Chaplain Jerry David Hall

Army Chaplain (LT) Jerry David Hall is one of our Church of God chaplains currently deployed to Iraq. He is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Chaplain Hall completed Army Chaplain School in April 2002, was selected for active duty in August, and reported to Fort Stewart in November. He is certainly one of our more newly selected chaplains for active duty, having reported in to Fort Stewart only seven months ago. David and his wife, Michelle, and their three children - Jerry David, 13, Pamela Megan, 10, and Hanna Berann, 7 – set up housekeeping in nearby Hinesville, Georgia. They had not even completed unpacking their household goods at their first assignment, when David received notice that he would be deploying to Kuwait with his infantry battalion, to prepare for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Prior to going on active duty, David and Michelle pastored churches in Western North Carolina, first at Asheboro and later at Grover. David attended Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, while serving as pastor at these two churches. He went through the Army chaplain candidate program while in seminary and completed his Master of Divinity degree in January 2002. It is interesting to note that David was a young sailor serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS America when he met Church of God Navy Chaplain Bobby Williams. Chaplain Williams continued his encouragement and support for David over the years and when David received his active duty oath of office, it was Chaplain Williams who administered the oath.

David sends inspiring reports of his ministry in Kuwait and Iraq. His 3rd Infantry Division unit was in the thick of battle during the war and the drive to Baghdad, and David was right there with his troops. As with all our other deployed chaplains, he too reports of “standing room only” tent services, scores of soldiers receiving Christ, and baptizing soldiers in those now familiar “sandbag baptisteries.” In his own words, he says, “The ministry here is truly awesome.” Recently David asked his commander if he could hold a 3-day revival and his commander told him to “go for it!” He did and again the services were packed out. “Imagine that,” he said, “a Pentecostal chaplain holding a revival in the middle of the Islam world. After the services, I would stay for two hours praying with soldiers who had come forward for prayer and salvation.” David, Michelle and their three children are outstanding representatives of the Church of God as they serve with their fellow military chaplaincy families around the world. Many of our chaplains, like David, are serving with their units in hostile and dangerous environments. Please remember the Hall family in your prayers.

Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Army Chaplain Everett Franklin

Army Chaplain (CPT) Everett Franklin is one of our Church of God chaplains currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. The 3rd Infantry Division was one of the primary combat units during the war and the division’s drive to Baghdad. Prior to his active duty assignment to assignment at Fort Stewart, Chaplain Franklin served as Reserve Army Chaplain and was a full-time correction chaplain with the Florida Department of Corrections.

Chaplain Franklin, his wife April, and their daughter Lindsey, make their home on the Army post at Fort Stewart. As with all of our chaplains deployed to the Middle East during this time of war and dangerous peace-keeping operations, the family separation is always hard. In the case of the Franklin family, this separation has been particularly difficult and painful for Everett, April and Lindsey. It was one year ago that this family lost their oldest daughter Lauren, 13, in a tragic accident at home. Prayerful and faithful support for them from family, friends, and untold numbers around the world strengthened them in the midst of this most unimaginable and heartbreaking tragedy. Despite all, their ministry continued and grew. Everett now sends reports from Iraq and Kuwait, telling of young soldiers committing their lives to Christ. Like his fellow military chaplains now deployed to the Middle East, he tells of the tremendous ministry opportunities that abound.

Chaplain Franklin graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 1998 with a Master of Divinity degree and he is also a graduate of Lee University. He had prior active duty service in the Army before attending college and served four years in the Army National Guard while attending Lee. In 1994, he enrolled in the Church of God Theological Seminary as an Army chaplain candidate. After seminary graduation, the Franklin family planted a church in Florida and Everett also served as a state correctional chaplain. He applied for active duty in 2000 and was immediately accepted. Everett, April and Lindsey have been serving three years as an Army chaplain family. The Franklin family represents the highest ideals of ministry and service. Continue to remember them in prayer and that they will soon be together again.

Chuck Popov Serving with the 101st Airborne

Army Chaplain (CPT) Charles J. “Chuck” Popov is one of some 25 Church of God chaplains currently deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf region. He is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is presently with his Army unit in Iraq. Back in the states, Chuck and wife, Billie Jo, make their home just outside of Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tennessee

Chuck and Billie arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2001. Up until then, they were in Cincinnati where Chuck served as senior pastor of the Greater Cincinnati Church of God (formerly the Oakley Square Church of God). Chuck had been selected for Army Reserve chaplaincy and went to chaplains school in the summer of 2001, completing the school as an honor graduate in August. The following month, the tragic events of September 11th occurred. As military Reserve and National Guard units were activated in response to the war on terrorism, Chuck was notified that he was being called up to active duty rather than being assigned to a Reserve unit and soon afterwards received his orders assigning him to the 101st Airborne Division.

From Iraq, Chaplain Popov sends reports to the Chaplains Commission of daily ministry opportunities, from ministering to soldiers one-on-one, to small groups, to standing room only worship services. He says, “No matter when or where or how often we have services, they are overflowing with soldiers. It’s like revival. And we are continuing to baptize soldiers. I finally had a backhoe to dig a sizeable hole for me so we could prepare a better place for baptizing all these many new converts. Just as our other chaplains have reported, the opportunities for ministry are unlimited.”

Chaplain Popov is a graduate of Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary and holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati. Chuck and Billie are representative of the many faithful and dedicated Church of God military chaplains families serving around the world. Please remember to keep the Popov family in prayer during this time. And remember all of our chaplains and our troops as they remain involved in continuing conflict and dangerous peace-keeping operations.

“First Women Army Chaplains on Active Duty”

The Church of God Chaplains Commission is pleased to announce that our first women Army chaplains have completed their military chaplaincy training and are now on active duty at their initial assignment. Chaplain (1LT) Heather Landrus and Chaplain (1LT) Megan Hodge graduated from the US Army Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on April 11, and reported to the first duty station on April 15. Both are being assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Chaplain Landrus is a graduate of the Church of God Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity degree in 2001. Chaplain Hodge graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 2002 with a Master of Divinity degree. Both Landrus and Hodge applied for Army active duty in the fall of 2002 and following their acceptance, received the oath of office as commissioned officers in the US Army, They began their training in early January of this year. Director of Officer Training at the school, Church of God Chaplain (LTC) Chuck Howell, stated that Chaplains Hodge and Landrus were outstanding students at the school, graduating in the top 20% of their class – and this was the largest class ever to graduate from the chaplains’ school.

Chaplain Landrus earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and afterwards taught school for some four years before entering seminary. She also had the experience of growing up in the military – her father is a retired Army officer. Her family was active in the Ministry to the Military while they were stationed overseas.

Chaplain Hodge graduated from Lee University in 1999 and entered seminary that same year. During her time at seminary, she worked as a counselor for special needs clients. Both Landrus and Hodge had active teaching and evangelistic ministries during college and seminary.

Their chaplaincy service at Fort Leonard Wood is going to be a busy one. Fort Leonard Wood serves as one of the largest military training installations in the Army and thousands of young men and women come there for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in the Engineering School, Chemical School, the Military Police School and other specialties. They will be joining another Church of God chaplain stationed there – Chaplain (CPT) Tom Baize, also a graduate of our seminary. Tom has been at Fort Leonard Wood for a year and he says the ministry opportunities for Chaplain Landrus and Chaplain Hodge will be unlimited.

“Military Chaplains on the Frontlines: Air Force Chaplain Lance Giannone”

Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Lance Giannone, recently returned to the states following his deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chaplain Giannone is one of some 25 Church of God chaplains supporting our armed forces deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and other nearby locations. He is assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, which is the largest F-16 fighter base in the Air Force. Shaw AFB is the initial active duty assignment for Chaplain Giannone. He was assigned there in January 2001. Chaplain Giannone and his wife Christina make their home in the nearby city of Sumter.

Chaplain Gianonne graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 1999 with a Master of Divinity degree. He graduated from Lee University in 1995 with a major in Bible and Theology. Lance had prior active duty service in the Air Force, being stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he attended the Church of God Christian Servicemen’s Center.

As with all of our chaplains serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chaplain Giannone reports of the tremendous ministry taking place in the midst of the war … many airmen being saved and baptized, standing room only services, and many rededicating their lives to Christ. Remember Lance and Christina as you pray for our military chaplains and their families during this time of conflict. Pray for all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

23 March 2003
Reflections on the Iraq War: Robert Crick

February 2003
Military Chaplains on the Frontline: Chaplain Eugene Mack

Pictured at right: Army Chaplain Eugene K. Mack (center) in Kuwait.

Army Chaplain (CPT) Eugene Mack is one of our Church of God chaplains currently deployed to Kuwait. He is assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where his wife Waveen, and their three children live. This is Chaplain Mack's second deployment to the Persian Gulf region in the last year. He and his family arrived at Fort Benning in November 2001 and within three months, he was deployed overseas with his unit. He is now back again as part of the build-up of American forces in the region.

Chaplain Mack graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary in 2001 with a Master of Divinity degree and he is also a graduate of Lee University. While attending seminary, the Mack family lived in Knoxville and the Park West Church of God was their church home. Chaplain Mack had several years of active duty in the Army as well as National Guard service prior to his commissioning as an officer and chaplain. He completed the Army Chaplains School in summer of 2001 and was selected for active duty shortly after completing the school.

Eugene and Waveen are representative of the many Church of God military chaplains families serving around the world and particularly now during the deployment of our armed forces to the Persian Gulf region and Afghanistan. Please remember the Mack family in your prayers.

February 2003
Church of God Chaplain Participates in Columbia Shuttle Memorial Services

Church of God Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Matthew Boyd, assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, has been an integral part of the special memorial services held at this air base in the aftermath of the space shuttle Columbia tragedy.

Military chaplains like Chaplain Boyd must be prepared for crises of all kinds at any moment. They pledge to nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the dead. Today, as our nation faces the threat of war and deals with the loss of the Columbia and its' seven astronauts, that pledge is even more challenging. Chaplain Boyd and all of our military chaplains are living out this pledge, providing spiritual counsel and support to the men and women who risk their lives to ensure our nation's freedom.

On the week the Columbia was lost, Chaplain Boyd started a seemingly normal military chaplain's duty week by counseling a deployed Airman's pregnant spouse and a young Airman incarcerated at the base jail. Boyd was then confronted with the tragic death of a young man in one of his squadrons. He ministered to the Airman's girlfriend, friends and co-workers personally, praying with them and comforting them in their grief. In addition, Chaplain Boyd conducted a memorial service for the young Airman with an attendance of over 200. He organized the service, offered encouragement to each person who played a role and officiated during the service.

As if these tasks were not enough, the nation awoke on the morning of February 1st to the devastating loss of the space shuttle Columbia. During his Sunday morning sermon the following day, Chaplain Boyd encouraged the congregation to focus their eyes on Jesus while facing the unknown, making the most of every day.

Upon finishing the chapel service, Chaplain Boyd received word that Barksdale AFB would serve as the initial recovery site for the fallen parts and debris of the shuttle and the remains of the seven astronauts. He was immediately called upon to offer full military honors to the astronauts as their caskets were being transported to and from the air base. Two Black Hawk helicopters brought in the caskets carrying the remains of the astronauts, which were then ceremoniously placed on the flight line amidst full military honors and a color guard.

Chaplain Boyd, along with Chaplain Shane Gastor and Rabbi Harold Robinson, read Scripture and prayed. "It was a solemn, holy occasion," Boyd remarked, "with generals, astronauts, Christians and Jews grieving together. It is a privilege to be directly involved in honoring these seven heroes who gave their lives for their country." There will also be a special memorial service for the NASA personnel who are working now at Barksdale, with the Director of the Kennedy Space Center, Major General Roy Bridges, USAF (Ret), speaking. Chaplain Boyd will give the invocation at this NASA service honoring the seven Columbia astronauts.

Chaplain Boyd, along with all of our military chaplains, dedicates himself to ministering to our troops, inspiring them as they look on uncertain horizons.

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