Church of God Chaplains Commission

While I am writing to you today, Dr. Richard Pace is in South Africa meeting with vocational chaplains and having the opportunity to get acquainted with new chaplains who are serving in the military as well as other institutions. Dr. Jake Popejoy is also in South Africa conducting two community service chaplaincy training meetings. For everyone at the Chaplain’s Commission it has been a busy season but I wish to pause today and honor a great man of God who has gone to be with the Lord. Dr. Lovell Carey, who served the church for so many years as a missionary and eventually rose to become the Director of Church of God World Missions, has ended his more than three year battle with cancer and has gone on to his reward.

I first met Brother Carey when I was just a teenager and he and Sister Carey came to preach for my father who was a pastor in the state of Alabama at the time. Through the years, we had many wonderful opportunities to minister together both in the states and overseas. He was “Mr. Missions” to the church and his compassion and care, especially for the Fareast, has left a great mark on the ministry and history of our church. 

We pay tribute to his legacy of great mission ministry and pray God’s blessing upon his precious family.  In our own care division family, we have also experienced the loss of loved ones this past week.  Anita Hughes, my executive assistant, lost her father, Brother Shoemaker from Winter Haven, Florida. He had been in a care facility for more than eight years after suffering a massive stroke. Brother Shoemaker had been a friend of our family for many years, was a great pastor and leader of Spirit Care Ministries in Florida. Also, Reverend Don Baker, coordinator of our foster care programs in Sevierville, TN lost his father and we will be attending his funeral just this evening. 

I know of no other group of men and women in the church who understand grief and loss any more than those within the ranks of Church of God Chaplaincy. Hence, no one can pray for these families with more passion and concern than you. Thank you so much for remembering these “heroes of the faith” who have gone on before us. 

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director 

 Vocational Chaplaincy News

The Church of God Vocational Chaplaincy family extends around the world in several nations where the Church of God has a presence. This week I have enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the Vocational Chaplains Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Like any nation, the organizational structure of Vocational Chaplaincy in South Africa is unique to the laws and requirements of its government. Yet the ministry functions of our South African Vocational Chaplains are very similar to those of our Vocational Chaplains in the U.S.
 
Like in the United States, a number of our Full Gospel Church of God Vocational Chaplains in South Africa serve in positions of high responsibility in their respective organizations. Chaplain (Colonel) Addie Burk, who organized and supervised the conference, serves as the head chaplain for the South African Air Force. He is an exceptional chaplain who personally helped me understand the organizational and operational structure of the chaplaincy program of the South Africa National Defense Force. Chaplain T. J. Mara, who is the South African Military Academy Chaplain, and Chaplain W. C. Maree, who is assigned to the HQs of the South African Police Service, both gave very informative and inspirational briefings.

Our Vocational Chaplains in South Africa have given me a very warm welcome. They have expressed interest in learning more about and connecting with other Vocational Chaplains in the Church of God Chaplaincy Family. Maybe some of you can arrange to participate in their conference next year.

I consider it a great privilege to be associated with such an outstanding group of professionally trained ministers of the gospel who represent the Church of God with distinction both in the U.S. and around the world.

Richard L. Pace, D. Min.
Endorser and Coordinator, Vocational Chaplaincy Ministries

Community Service Chaplaincy News

God is continuing to bless the Church of God Chaplains Commission in many ways. We are blessed to have completed our recent training in Durban, South Africa and are now on the eve of additional training in the Johannesburg area. In Durban we were able to have approximately 60 students, several were former students, yet we certified for the first time, 49 new Community Service Chaplains. We presently have 76 registrants for the Johannesburg class. Please pray with us that these chaplains will find a new goal and focus of ministry.

I just received information, via e-mail, from Chaplain Steve Wallace, that he and Chaplain Sam Saylor just finished three consecutive courses in Florida. Under the direction of the State Bishop, J. David Stephens and the Ministerial Education Director Waymon Miller, a Level I, Level II and a CERT Chaplaincy Course were successfully completed in Wimauma, Florida. Praise the Lord!

Reports from the Field

Community Service and Disaster Chaplain Richard V. Franklin, Swansboro, North Carolina, reports the following: “Please pray for three families who lost their homes to fire. I am assisting displaced families with assistance in housing.” Richard, Thanks for your love and concern for people in need.

Community Service Chaplain Silvia Fernandez, Chicago, Illinois, reports the following: “Please pray for pastor Alberto R Arias and Co-Pastor Ruth Matos and Daniel Gonzalez to find employment. I assisted a member of the church to attend doctor visits and emergency ER visits; assisted the family in long term activities.”

Community Service Chaplain Les Hall, Fountain Inn, South Carolina, reports the following: “I had knee surgery, and I am still having trouble. One knee is totally gone and they are looking at the other now. I am asking for prayer for this problem. Thank you.  I have not been too active this month; I worked a little at the food bank.”

Community Service Chaplain Gary D. Sistrunk, Sabastopol, Mississippi, reports the following to the Chaplains Commission: “Please be in prayer for the men and women at Central MS Correctional Facility. We are having many to receive the Lord or to recommit their lives to the Lord. Fifteen received the Lord at our last service, with greater than 25 recommitting their lives to the Lord. God truly has a church behind walls! We are planning a revival at CMCF in April for 3 days! Please remember us in your prayers as God continues to lead and open doors for us!”

Community Service Chaplains Rodney and Sharon Johnson, Knoxville, Iowa, reports the following: “Please pray for our Church The Knoxville Church of God, and also for Barbara Marvelli who is fighting cancer. Also for Brother Rodriques who lost his sister this week. We have been praying for people in the country, home and also several relatives who have been sick and in need of prayer. We also have a nephew who has just been released from prison for drug abuse that we have been praying for.”

Report from Ireland

This month I had the honor of teaching at a COG training day at Solid Rock Drogheda, Ireland and also at the Church Of God National Offices. Praise God 75 people attended the sessions, half of which were from other churches. The three sessions were Salvation /Holy Spirit, Taught by Pastor Daniel Sylverston, Hospital Visitation, taught by Rev John Walsh, and Home Visitation, taught by Pastor Nick Park. Praise the Lord for continued Chaplaincy ministry in Ireland.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

 

Recently an article appeared in the CLEVELAND DAILY BANNER titled, “Delaney Walker: Preparing for life beyond the lessons”. It was a great story regarding the life, lessons and achievements of Lee University student, Delaney Walker, who happens to be the daughter of Chaplain COL Bryan Walker, U.S. Army. What a great message it was to the entire community of Cleveland, Tennessee, about one of our very own Chaplain’s daughter. One of the intriguing issues related in the story was the mobile life our military chaplains live as Delaney rehearsed the numerous places their family had lived over her past 23 years. This is not only her story but rather the story of all our children of military chaplains and perhaps even many other vocational chaplains who serve in various institutions. The article made me realize how much we have to be thankful for as we see God placing his hand upon our children preparing them to serve Christ and their community.

Chaplains are unique in their role of ministry and all too often we simply hail the marvelous things they do in mission and ministry not taking note of the greatest thing they do, which is raising godly children. I have had the privilege of knowing the Walker family for many years. Delaney’s paternal grandfather,  John Walker,  served with me in the state of Florida as the South Florida Evangelism and Home Missions director during my four year tenure there as Administrative Bishop and her maternal grandfather, David Bishop was so kind to me when I was in my early twenties to allow me to minister for him in Washington State. Over the years, I have watched Delaney grow from just a little girl living life in the fast moving lane of military life to where she is now as a very bright and intellectually astute young Lee Student who is preparing for “life beyond the lessons” of military chaplaincy. Her story tells so much about the struggles she faced in living this often mobile lifestyle and how she was able to learn so much from it and turn her story into a positive one of preparation for future life. Today, I want to pay tribute to Delaney and all the other children of our chaplains who daily stand in the shadows of the parent’s ministry and yet glean so much from the life lived before them. May the hand of Almighty God be upon them all!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.

Director 

Vocational Chaplaincy News

In a recent presentation to endorsers, the Army Chief of Chaplains stated that the Army had a critical shortage of female chaplains. The percentage of female chaplains is far below the overall percentage of females serving in the Army. One limiting factor for females serving as military chaplains is there are religious organizations that do not permit women to serve as clergy.

The Church of God currently has four female military chaplains (two Active Duty and two Reserve Component) and three others working toward a commission. Our female military chaplains have served with distinction with two of them, Megan Hodge and Gloria Bun, being promoted to the rank of major this past year. Other denominations, who have endorsed female chaplains much longer than the Church of God, have seen their female chaplains rise to the rank of General and Admiral as a Chief of Chaplains or a Deputy Chief of Chaplains.

The Church of God has many gifted female chaplains serving in a variety of institutional settings. We need more in the military. Some may think military chaplaincy is a difficult place for women ministers to serve. Granted, the physical requirements are higher than most civilian institutions; however, the professional and ministerial expectations are the same as for men.
 
The military chaplaincy has the welcome mat out for women ministers. I am praying the Lord will lead many Church of God women ministers to accept the invitation and walk through the door of the highly fulfilling and appreciated ministry of the military chaplaincy. I believe the Church of God can be the leader among denominations in endorsing female military chaplains. Have you thought about being a military chaplain? Call me.

News from the Field

Correctional Chaplain Betty Standifer recently conducted a three-day revival at the Silverdale facility. The Lord moved in a powerful way and seven inmates accepted Jesus as their Savior and thirty-eight recommitted their lives to the Lord.

Two of our chaplain candidates, James Roberts and Jason West, met with the Endorsement Committee and received endorsements to serve as Active Duty Army Chaplains. If all goes well, they could join the ranks this summer.

Congratulations and welcome to Chaplain Roger Daniel. Roger has extended ministerial experience in a variety of positions with the Church of God. He received endorsement to represent the church as a clinical chaplain.

Richard L. Pace, D. Min.
Endorser and Coordinator, Vocational Chaplaincy Ministries

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Greetings to our Chaplains from the Community Service Chaplains in Durban, South Africa. This week begins a 3rd year of their ongoing training, which these chaplains are putting to good use in the communities which they serve. Bishop Stafford Petersen, national coordinator for South African Community Service Chaplains, along with host pastors Bishop EJ Moodley and Morne Lotter will be hosting the Seminars this year. Additionally, Chaplain Addie Burt, an Air Force Chaplain is joining us with Dr. Richard Pace for the seminar in Pretoria. We are looking forward to the new chaplains to be trained and also for the next level of Chaplaincy which will be addressed in Durban, South Africa.

News from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Cynthia Basinger, Cumberland, Virginia, reports the following: “Remember the widows in Cumberland County and the young men and women on fire and rescue. Each week I visit at least 2 shut-ins and I am working with the Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Each month I attend meetings and offer up a prayer. I am working on a dinner for both departments.”  Thanks, Cynthia, for your continued ministry.

Community Service Chaplain Addison Keiser, Pickerington, Ohio, requests the following: “Please pray for an opportunity to be used for ministry/ministering during this time of work and school. I have not been using my CS Chaplaincy to the fullest and would like to.”

Community Service Chaplain William Smith, Lindenhurst, New York, requests the following: “Please pray for physical health for my knee. January 8^th, I led worship and preached at Faith Assembly of God in  Bowling Green, Florida. I also led worship at Faith Temple COG in Wauchula, Florida, and  Ministered in a gospel show at Thousand Trails Orlando, Florida.”

Community Service Chaplain Pat Henley, Seal Beach, California, makes a very special request to the Community Service Chaplains and team members: “Please remember to pray for our nation at this time of presidential election primaries.”  Good request, Chaplain!

I would like to take this opportunity to again mention that Chaplain Pete Shoars, who is a Community Service Chaplain but also serves the Virginia Defense Force has been accepted to work with the “Wounded Warrior” program. Congratulations, Pete!

Community Service Chaplain David Pinkard, continues his work with the Sheriff’s Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. David, thanks for your continued faithfulness to this ministry.

Just a reminder!

We are so blessed to have a number of Regional Chaplaincy Coordinators who work tirelessly to assist in keeping lines of communication open with the Chaplains Commission and the individual Community Service Chaplain. These men and women are committed to individual excellence in Chaplaincy ministries. In the coming weeks, I look forward to highlighting some of these chaplains and helping you get to know them a little better. Please pray for them and all of the ministries, which are being done around the world and around the clock.

Respectfully,

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

 

In the book of Job, there is an intriguing dialogue between God and Satan. Most of us remember this conversation from our childhood Sunday School days or at a later time when profoundly exclaimed a prophetic pastor or evangelist. Interestingly enough, in Satan’s challenge to God regarding the integrity of Job, this arch enemy of both God and man moves to take all of Job’s possessions away, then all of his children (a move that God seems perfectly comfortable in taking the blame for because He tells Satan that He has moved him to lift his hand against job even though he is a blameless man). However, it is the next move in this story that I want us to note today, when Satan calls upon God to allow him to strike the very health of Job! It is here wherein Satan says, “Skin for skin, all that man has will he give for his life”! But, we know the story, in all this Job never curses God or charges Him foolishly.

The reason this is so important is because the devil did not understand that men are willing to give their all for their life (that is to say their eternal life). Satan did not comprehend which life men viewed as most important.

This week as I have traveled across South Africa, I have met individuals (men and women) who have given and are currently giving all they have for their eternal life and for the eternal lives of countless others. I have witnessed women who daily live their lives in peril, scorching temperatures and untold dangers too numerous to list as they care for those who cannot care for themselves. I have driven through neighborhoods that literally ran with the blood of those who were beaten and bruised, and yes, even killed for the basic rights that we all wish to have! It has been a sobering visit.

And then my thoughts have repeatedly gone to you, our chaplains, who have volumes to tell about sacrifice and commitment beyond the gates of the local church fellowship. I cannot promise the future of ministry to be any softer, safer or more tame than the past but what I can say is your eternal life is worth giving all you have for it! God is watching and so is the world wherein you serve. God will not forget your labor of love!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director 

 Vocational Chaplaincy News

This past week the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) held its annual conference in Washington, DC. The Church of God was represented by several of our outstanding Vocational Chaplains. I am proud to share with you that Chaplain José Cedillo received the ACPE Emerging Leader Award. José serves as the Manager of Chaplaincy Programs in the Department of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Education at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has a distinguished reputation for outstanding leadership and ministry in the chaplaincy. Congratulations, Chaplain Cedillo!

The ACPE conference was held in conjunction with the Racial Ethnic Multi-cultural (REM) Network. This organization was birthed from ACPE back in the 1980’s to address racial, ethnic, and multi-cultural diversity in CPE and institutional chaplaincy. Over the years, the Chaplains Commission has been a leader in racial, ethnic, and multi-cultural ministry in the Church of God. I believe I can add to this the area of gender. One of the reasons for the growth of the Chaplains Commission has been the ability to look to the heart and calling of men and women who want to engage with the people of this world to share with them the hope and healing found only in Jesus Christ and support these men and women of God in their calling.

Numerous Church of God Chaplains are recognized for the exceptional ministry you perform among your peers from other religious organizations. As I read your periodic evaluations and reports, I know why you often stand out among your peers. It is a privilege to serve and support you in your chaplaincy ministries.

Chaplain Position Announcement: Community Hospice of Northeast Florida is searching for a person to be the Manager in the Spiritual Care Department. Community Hospice covers five counties in the Jacksonville area. They have a growing group of chaplains, and a vision for connecting with faith communities in the area. They have a chaplain on staff who is a candidate supervisor with ACPE and they are working to develop a CPE program in hospice setting. They are looking for someone who has managerial experience with a Spiritual/Pastoral Care department. Contact Mary McElroy, VP for Clinical Services at 904.407.6226.

Richard L. Pace, D. Min.
Endorser and Coordinator, Vocational Chaplaincy Ministries

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Our calendar continues to fill with great opportunities of ministry and training. God is certainly blessing all areas of the Church of God Chaplains Commission. Dr. Smith has been in South Africa addressing some Care Division issues as well as meeting with our National Coordinator for CSC, Stafford Petersen.  We will be in training at Durban, South Africa, and Johannesburg next week. Many of our CSC chaplains are very involved in AIDS Clinic ministry. The great ministry, which these chaplains are doing, cannot be overstated. They feed approximately 1200 people ever week and three hundred are the AIDS children. Please keep them in your prayers.

Diana, our CSC Administrative Assistant, spends much of her day interacting with our CSC chaplains. Yesterday, she had the opportunity to speak with a chaplain who was struggling financially and with health issues. I am continually amazed how the entire staff takes the time and care to minister to our chaplaincy family.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Cynthia Basinger, Cumberland, Virginia, reports the following:

“Remember the widows in Cumberland County and the young men and women on fire and rescue. Each week I visit at least 2 shut-ins. I am working with the Fire department and rescue squad.  Each month I attend meetings and offer up a prayer. I am working on honoring the volunteers with a dinner for both departments.”

Community Service Chaplain H.W. Rutledge, Slidell, Louisiana, has a very special prayer request: “The city of New Orleans is self destructing. We are currently averaging 1 murder per day in the city. Already this year over 60 have been wounded. Pray that God will break this spirit of death and violence. I became a Board Certified Chaplain on Jan. 27, 2012.” Praise the Lord, Chaplain Rutledge, for your steadfast ministry and care for your community!

Community Service Chaplain Paul Lett, Pell City, Alabama, reports the following: “I received the Presidential Award for Volunteer Hours for 2011.” Congratulations Paul. Way to go!

Community Service Chaplain Charles T. Thorpe, Lakeland, Florida, submits the following report:

“We are moving Forward as the Church is about the Father’s business. I have held 9 sessions of Encouragement counseling and planning meetings with other ministry leaders. I also send Daily encouragement emails to the Christian community. Other thing I have done and been involved in include:

1-Monthly All Day Leadership Round Table Business/Ministry Meeting.

2-BNI/IBR/Kingdom Walk Referral Network group meeting, relationship building with members.

3-Life Business/Ministry SEA meetings 3-phone encouragement councils.

7- Business/Family/leadership encouragement counseling/Prayer/meetings 3-Hospital & phone visitations 3-Special Prayer meetings 4-Life Christian University 3 hr classes on Biblical Healing.”

Community Service Chaplains Linda Alfreta and Carson Oliver, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Reports 25 one on one visits in the nursing home. Lots of hard work here, Linda. Blessings to you!

Report from Hispanic CSC Director, USA: Abel Cuen

LOS CAPELLANES PRACTICAMOS UNA FE DE VIOLENCIA!

Génesis nos dice que el hombre se habia multiplicado en la tierra, y que cada vez era más violento. “Y la tierra estaba corrompida delante de Dios, y estaba la tierra llena de violencia. Y miró Dios la tierra, y he aquí que estaba corrompida, porque todos eran carne y habían corrompido su camino sobre la tierra “(Génesis 6:11-12).

Hay otro tipo de movimiento que Dios esta levantando en estos ultimos dias, hay distintas formas de violencia que tienen lugar en estos últimos días.

De hecho, yo veo un pueblo piadoso con una fe agresiva que se levanta. Este santo remanente está lleno de Jesús, amarlo con todo su corazón es su mision. estos creyentes ven a un diablo con sus fuerzas en estado de guerra que viene contra ellos con todo su poder y estan concientes que las fuerzas del infierno estan mas activas hoy que en ninguna otra generacion en la historia de la humanidad.

En otras palabras es el ejercito de la fe, alerta, despierto y listo para pelear. Esos son los Capellanes de Servicio Comunitario. Organizandonos, preparandonos, capacitandonos y creando equipos de guerra en las diferentes ciudades de nuestro pais, de Norte a Sur y de Este a Oeste.

Jesús dijo: “El reino de los cielos sufre violencia, y los violentos lo arrebatan a la fuerza”(Mateo 11:12). Este remanente va a levantarse y va a decir:” Yo no voy a permitir que el diablo robe mi alegría y mi paz. No voy a dejar que las semillas del rencor, el asesinato, el odio o la violencia fisica hagan raices en mí.

¡No! …Voy a levantarme con Jesús “porque el mismo poder que levanto a Jesucristo de los muertos es el mismo poder que esta a disposicion mia el dia de hoy. El poder que nos da la fuerza para vivir victoriosamente por encima de esta basura demoníaca “.

Querido cristiano, Dios quiere poner en ti una pelea el dia de hoy! Si tu has sido culpable de cualquiera de estas formas de violencia, rápidamente arrepientete y presentate ante el Señor y obedece su Palabra. Eso es todo lo que tu necesitas.

Que Dios ponga en tu corazon un santo celo y la fe que va más allá de lo que haz conocido jamas es mi oracion. Él quiere que tu seas capaz de pararte frente a los malvados planes de Satanás y vencerlo. La Palabra dice que nosotros, la iglesia de Dios somos mas fuertes, somos mas valientes, somos mas violentos …“Y las puertas del infierno no prevaleceran contra ella” ha dicho El Señor.

Acercate al programa de Capellania de Servicio Comunitario y participa, preguntale a tu pastor por el programa o habla a la oficina regional del territorio en donde vives y pregunta por nuestro programa. Los Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios entendemos que para este tiempo y para esta hora estamos aqui!

Su siervo en Cristo

Please take a moment and listen to this brief message from the CSC Coordinator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd7pEu96JAQ

Respectfully,

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains