Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

May 4th, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
 
One of our newest ministries is that of disaster and compassionate response ministries, headed by Reverend Tom Offutt. Tom and Elaine Offutt came into the Pentecostal faith and this ministry after Elaine experienced a miraculous healing. That healing, and other spiritual encounters, motivated them to seek a deeper walk with the Lord. After a long and successful career in the civilian business world, Tom became a member of our Chaplains Commission Board. He is now a full-time member of the Commission staff. He and Elaine are fully committed to “ministry beyond the gates.” On May 31, 2008, Tom will receive his Master of Divinity Degree from our Seminary.
 
The significance of our disaster response ministry was felt this week in the Suffolk, Virginia area. Our many thanks go to State Administrative Bishop Michael Baker, who caught the vision to get his churches and workers ready for “such a time as this.” More than 150 pastors and key lay persons have taken the 27-hour Community Service Chaplains Course. This course has provided workers with training in grief/trauma, death notification, guidance for working with federal and community disaster response agencies and a number of other vital resources. When the tornadoes hit the Suffolk area, trained teams of chaplains were on site within hours. These teams, headed by long-term Chaplain Jack Smith, were the result of a State Administrative Bishop and state that took advantage of our CSC Courses and ministries. The Community Service Chaplains Course has now been offered to more than 6,000 pastors and key laypersons; not only in the United States, but many other countries. I know you will be praying for the victims of these recent tornados. If you would like further information concerning this special ministry, call Tom Offutt at 423-478-7218 or by emailing tomoffutt@charter.net.
 
SEMINARY HOSTS COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAPLAINS COURSE:
 
The one week (40-hour) Community Service Chaplains Basic Course, offered at our Seminary June 2-6, 2008, will provide you the opportunity to experience a dynamic course and tour our Seminary, Lee University and International Headquarters. I am asking all our chaplains to encourage candidates for chaplaincy to take this one-week course. It can be taken either for undergraduate or graduate credit. Completing this course, you receive a certificate of certification of training and other vital information that will qualify you to apply for chaplaincy opportunities in law enforcement, hospitals, prisons, industries and many other community areas. For more information concerning this course, contact Dr. Doc Williams at doccc@cogchaplains.com or Wayne Roberson at trainingcc@bellsouth.net.
 
OTHER CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
 
1.      Jail and Prison Chaplain Dale Lawley, Cordova, Alabama, reports: “The past few days, 11 inmates have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. I had the honor to sign one of these inmates out of our city jail to visit with his family. While there, his wife, an addict, was saved; along with their 16-year-old and 11-year-old sons. They are now in church together!”
2.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Steve Cantrell, Fort Benning, Georgia, believes chaplaincy ministries should be well centered in local churches. Chaplain Cantrell, who made the only combat jump in Iraq with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, (my old unit from Vietnam), after being assigned to Fort Benning, connected his ministries closely with one of our best churches, the Cornerstone Church of God in Columbus, Georgia.    Chaplain Cantrell notes: “The Cornerstone Church of God, under the leadership of Pastor Dan McEachin, sponsored a military family appreciation night. Military couples were brought to the church for a world class Italian cuisine candlelight dinner and entertainment. The church took care of their children so that the couple could have time together to renew their commitment to each other and to the Lord. My many thanks to pastor McEachin and the Church for loving military personnel and their families.”
3.      Correctional Chaplain Chauncey Biby, El Dorado, Kansas, sent this note: “I presented a prison ministries workshop at the 5th Annual Spiritual Rally for the Kansas/Missouri United Methodist Men’s Conference. The purpose of this conference, as stated, is to declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life, to promote spiritual growth of men through effective discipleship and to model the servant leadership of Christ in our daily lives.”
4.      Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor Jose Cedillo, Houston, Texas, recently accepted a position as manager of chaplaincy community programs at the University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. 
5.      Pastoral Counselor/Chaplain Mary Withers, Clermont, Florida, requests prayer for her family in England who are grieving the death of her son-in-law’s brother by a hit-and-run incident. On another note, Chaplain Withers was recently honored at one of her area nursing homes for her outstanding ministry to residents and staff.
6.      Fire Department Chaplain Michael White, Fruitland, Maryland, was awarded lifetime membership with the Fruitland Fire Department for his 25 years of ministry to the department.
7.      Army Chaplain (MAJ-P) Joseph Melvin, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was “officially” promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on May 2, 2008. Send notes of congratulations to the Melvins at: joseph.melvin1@us.army.mil.
8.      Army Chaplain (LTC) Ray Williams, Glen Burnie, Maryland, who recently returned from a deployment to Iraq, was awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. Send congratulations to the Williams at: ray.williams@us.army.mil.
9.      Navy Chaplain (CPT) Jessie Tate, Norfolk, Virginia, sent this note: “The tornado that struck Suffolk damaged/destroyed houses across the street from our home. Leah, my wife, was home at this critical time. Many military families lost their homes and are sifting through the rubble for personal affects. Keep these families in your prayers.”
 
LET’S NOT FORGET OUR DEPLOYED MILITARY CHAPLAINS:
 
We are preparing a mail out to all our churches for a “God and Country” celebration for Sunday, July 6, 2008. As you know, this will be the July 4th weekend. We are asking our chaplains and supporters to be on the lookout for this packet of material which will include a letter from the General Overseer, a CD PowerPoint with patriotic background music and other resources for this “God and Country” celebration. How can you help? Every one of you should make sure your pastor has this service on July 6, 2008. From this national special day, offerings will be received to assist us in providing to our servicemen and women, through our chaplains, the following: 1) new convert packets; 2) devotional material; 3) Psalm 91 bandanas; 4) telephone cards for Soldiers confined to hospitals; 5) packets of goodies for troops during holidays; and many other resources. We need YOUR help. Advertise this celebration; call pastors and help them make this a very special day in supporting our chaplains and the military personnel they serve.
 
 
 
COMING EVENTS TO UNDERSCORE:
 
1.      May, 2008 - Community Service Chaplains Course in Chile (Lead Instructor, Chaplain Paul Stockard)
2.      June 2-6, 2008 – Our Community Service Chaplains Basic Course, Cleveland, Tennessee.
3.      July 11, 2008 – The Retirement of Navy Chaplain (CDR) Ralph Douglas, Yorktown, Virginia.
4.      August 2-4, 2008 – Pre-General Assembly Chaplains/Family Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
 
FINALLY:
 
Our heroes of the week are our military chaplains’ wives. When the chaplain is deployed to a place like Iraq, the wife is left home…not just to take care of her own family, but the families of other deployed Soldiers. Almost without exception, these military chaplains’ wives are the first at the front door of a family who has been notified that fathers/husbands have been killed in a combat area. They provide counseling, food, assist with funeral arrangements and, in a few cases, accompany the grieving family to their home state. As one of these wives noted, “I do not have time to grieve for myself. There is too much other, more significant, grief to take care of.” Many of these wives, in addition to taking care of their kids and caring for deployed families, are employed with full-time jobs. Keep these wives and families in your prayers. They may not receive military awards for their sacrificial services, but in my book, they are some of the most important “heroes” in our chaplaincy family.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

April 25th, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
This week, we welcomed home one of our military chaplains from Iraq, Chaplain (CPT) Barron Wester. As all of you know, Chaplain Wester was the first Church of God chaplain to be wounded in combat. While ministering to a young man trapped in a burning vehicle, he took a sniper’s round. After recovering for many weeks in a military hospital in Germany, he returned to his unit and completed is 15-month deployment. Rather than focusing on his own sacrifices, time and again his email messages gave focus to Soldiers, requesting prayer for their safety and for their salvation. Chaplain Wester represents more than 50 Church of God chaplains who have been deployed to these troubled areas; many of them with multiple deployments. His family, like all of our military chaplains’ families, takes care of their own families during these deployments, while at the same time, look after other military families on their bases. As one chaplain’s wife stated, “I do not have time to grieve about my situation; our base is loaded with too many other needs!” The Church of God is blessed with the very best!   We give God the praise for undergirding our chaplains with the Word and the Spirit. With the Word and the Holy Spirit, they know they are never alone; they have a family that loves and supports them, a Church grateful for their ministries and a Lord that centers His greatest presence where the pain is severe. I know you will continue to pray for our chaplains; many still in Iraq and other dangerous areas; and a host of chaplains taking care of the wounded of this world.
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EAST FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN CHAPLAINCY MINISTRIES:
We just completed a most successful Community Service Chaplaincy Training Program at the Church of God of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. The lead instructors were Dr. Doc Williams and Chaplain San Saylor. Dr. R. C. Hugh Nelson, Senior Pastor, is no stranger to chaplaincy. Everywhere he has been he has caught the vision that chaplaincy and the local church are spiritually bound with a common goal. In this recent course, more than 100 took advantage of the Basic Chaplaincy Course and a Specialized Course on Drug and Alcohol Addictions. To understand the dynamics of chaplaincy ministries at East Flatbush, you must go beyond the courses. The church permeates with a chaplaincy passion. More than 75 at this one local church have been trained for chaplaincy ministries. This ministry is under the directorship of a dynamic chaplaincy coordinator, with a trained and committed Board. Dr. Nelson believes that a local church must love the entire city where it is located. These chaplains at East Flatbush are not doing this as a “tack-on” to some other passion; they are committed to some 20 different types of ministries within their vast metropolitan area. Their ministries include care for the homeless, hospitals, prisons, local courts and a very special ministry to the gangs of their city. Recently, in a street gang event, three young men were killed. It was the chaplains at East Flatbush that intervened, giving care to the families, solace and spiritual security to the community and the housing area where the shooting took place, and taking care of the funeral of the three victims. During the funeral services, hundreds of young people attended and the altars were full. That is chaplaincy at its best. Our congratulations go to Dr. Nelson and his fantastic chaplaincy leaders. 
 
MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Neal Durham just arrived in Iraq for a 15-month deployment from his unit in Baumholder, Germany. His first note to us states: “I arrived safely in Kuwait and am on my way to Iraq. Thank God for your prayers. Valerie, my wife, and the kids are handling this deployment much better this time around. I know the Lord is with them.” Please note as you prayerfully read this Update, we are looking for churches and pastors who would want to adopt Chaplain Durham and other Church of God chaplains and their units during these deployments. This would mean you would be responsible for the following: 1) Be in contact with the chaplain on a regular basis by email for prayer and other support; 2) During the holidays, send packages for the chaplain and his/her Soldiers; 3) Help raise funds to make possible Psalm 91 bandanas, devotional materials and other resources for the sponsored chaplain in support of his/her troops. If you are interested in this sponsorship, contact us immediately at chapcm@bellsouth.net.
2.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Taz Randles was recently called up from Reserves for a 3-year active duty assignment. He is assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Incidentally, the Command Chaplain at this facility is our own chaplain, Chaplain (COL) Charles Howell. Chaplain Randals notes: “I thank God for this assignment. He is unbelievably good to me and my family! Keep me in your prayers.”
3.      Army Chaplain (COL) Charles Howell, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, D.C., sent us this note written by a columnist to be published: “One of Walter Reed’s patients told me of riding shot-gun in a humvee when a round came through the door. The Sergeant told how his right arm was almost sheared off. The charge entered the right side of his chest; he woke up a couple weeks later. When he awakened, he was at Walter Reed; thousands of miles away from the incident that took place near Baghdad. He is 28 years old with a chunk of molten metal that went right through him. Now he faces a long recovery as he puts his life back together.” The writer states that there are 160 in-patients at Walter Reed, and 700 out-patients. In his final words, he got to the heart of his message: “If you are not a Soldier, if you do not know or love a Soldier, you will never in a million years understand these patients. These are men and women with serious wounds who would give anything to get back to their units!” This war has taken the lives of 4,000 of our men and women with 35,000 wounded; I know you will pray diligently for these Soldiers, their family members and the dedicated medical staff caring for our sons and daughters.
4.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Jerry Hall, Baumholder, Germany, has experienced two 1-year deployments to Iraq. Now, in Baumholder, he works with those coming back from the war zone and those preparing to go. He notes: “We meet with every Soldier who is returning or on his way to Iraq. We hand out hundreds of rapid deployment kits which include Psalm 91 bandanas and other devotional materials. Our Soldiers deeply appreciate our spiritual support.”
 
OTHER CHAPLAINCY NEWS (Campus, hospital, prisons, industry, etc.):
1.      Community Service Chaplains Drew and Cherry Landrus, Crab Orchard, Tennessee, were recently featured in Our Journal magazine regarding their vast community chaplaincy ministries. The article, entitled, “The Little Care Center that Could,” tells of the Crab Orchard chaplaincy outreaches to the homeless, feeding programs, clothing and food distribution, backpacks for needy school kids, medical programs for those in need and many other care/chaplaincy ministries. This article on Drew and Cherry (the parents of Army Chaplain (CPT) Heather Landrus) not only highlights the needs in these smaller communities, but with prayer and ingenuity, the means that have been made available to meet these needs. If you would like information about the way in which this couple has created an extensive care/chaplaincy program in their regional area, contact them at: senseiagl@frontiernet.net. 
2.      Puerto Rican Chaplaincy Coordinator, Chaplain Ismael Ponce, sent this special announcement: “Thank God, I am a grandpa for the first time! Lydia Marie has given a new spark to all of our lives, and we give God the thanks and glory!”
3.      Pastoral Counselor Jairo Moreno, recently retired with 20 years of Navy chaplaincy service, has been hired as a Pastoral Counselor at the Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas. He states: “I will be working as a family therapist in a highly professional and outstanding program.”
4.      College and University Chaplaincy Field Coordinator John Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee, sent us this report of our chaplaincy programs at the University of Kentucky. He states: “Our Alpha-Omega campus ministry is strong at this university. Chaplain Chris Vaught recently conducted a week -long 24/7 prayer vigil on campus. He was allowed to set up a prayer tent and conduct day/night prayer meetings. By week’s end, 47 students were saved and 7 students received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” If you would like to learn more about our campus chaplaincy programs, contact Chaplain Unthank at: revjeu@yahoo.com.
 
FINALLY:
If we are not careful, in the middle of so much upheaval, our minds and hearts go into overdrive! How do you process this tense, competitive political primary; or gas at $4 a gallon; or denominations/faith groups that struggle with financial crises and, more so, their identity in a post-modern world? Last week, while in New York City, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium with some 60,000 congregants. The New York newspapers were filled with reflections on his itinerary, which included a visit to Ground Zero, a large Catholic youth rally and personal visits with priests and parishioners. One article stated, “Pope Benedict comes at a time when America has lost its spiritual identity.” The article went on to say that individuals, and for that matter, faith groups, do not have clearly defined value principles. It reminds me of what one writer said, “We are a culture of fragmented values,” or what another writer calls “a de-centered value system.” That is why John McArthur in his recent book, The Truth War notes: “Church leaders are obsessed with style and method, but have lost interest in the Glory of God and are fast becoming apathetic about truth and sound doctrine.” It is in the middle of proclaiming Christ in a post-modern age that our chaplaincy ministries are thriving. These ministries are successful because it is not about “us,” but about “them.” It is about the AIDS victim in the hospital, the Soldier in Iraq, the prisoner on death row. If the Church would look, not on itself, but on the fields that are white unto harvest, we would once again find the truth and center it into our hearts, our families and those ministries for which God will hold us responsible. Continue to pray for our chaplains and their family members.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

April 21st, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
 
Every one of our endorsed chaplains has a “story” to tell, and rightly so. They are involved in some of the most exciting ministry found anywhere in the world today. They can be found in Iraq, in clinical centers, heading up large prison programs, at race tracks, on college campuses and the list extends on. I tell our chaplains, because of the strategic place God has allowed them, to “write, write and write!” They should do so because they are qualified to do so. Most of our chaplains have a Master of Divinity Degree or higher, have been exposed to some of the best clinical training possible and have so much to share with the Church in general. They know how to deal with those who have been traumatized by terrorist attacks, combat experiences or tragic automobile accidents. They are trained in the area of alcohol, drug and pornography addictions, ministry with dying children, AIDS victims or other tragic individual and family situations. More than anything else, they have the expertise to work in a pluralistic environment, approaching individuals regardless of their gender, ethnic background or situation in life with the saving knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ. There is another principle involved here; the world will no longer come to us…we must go to them. Chaplains know this better than anyone else in the Church. They do not wait for people to come to their chapel services. They go to them; those confined to hospitals or prisons, or, you will find them witnessing to a young Soldier at the motor pool. Our chaplains have the vital resources to help the Church stay grounded and relevant in such a time as this.
 
A COUPLE SIGNIFICANT VISITORS:
 
1.       This week, we were privileged to host Army Chaplain (CPT-P) Everett Franklin, his wife, April, and their 14-year-old daughter, Lindsey. Chaplain Franklin has completed two deployments to Iraq, and is now stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. It is hard to believe that he has been on his chaplaincy journey for 8 years; part of it in prison ministries, and the last 6 years in Army chaplaincy. Shortly after being assigned to his first Army post at Fort Stewart, Georgia, a tragic accident took the life of their oldest daughter. A few months later, he was deployed to Iraq. After being back from Iraq for only a year, he was redeployed to Iraq. This would be enough to crush any family. Because of the tremendous insight they had into their own grief, and their willingness to get proper professional help, they have “a story to tell.” At some future date, they will publish a book about their journey with chaplaincy, their daughters and how their relationships have been taken to a deeper and more profound level as a result of their loss, deployments and the opportunities God has afforded them in military chaplaincy. 
2.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory came by our office, along with his wife, Susan, and we welcomed him home from a deployment to Korea. He spent a year on the DMZ, face-to-face with North Korea. Clayton, as typical with his chaplaincy journey, did not see this as a hardship…only an opportunity. Susan, one of the most joyful chaplains’ spouses we have in our great family, equally saw this as “God’s way of putting Clayton in the right place at the right time.” Susan spent this year assisting us in our Chaplains Commission offices by calling other spouses and families whose fathers/husbands were deployed to combat areas. Welcome home, Clayton! He will shortly begin a 15-month residency in Family Ministries at Fort Benning, Georgia. 
 
UPCOMING PRE-GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHAPLAINS CONFERENCE:
 
Let me encourage any of you who would like to attend our Chaplains/Families Pre-General Assembly Conference in San Antonio, Texas, to notify our office immediately. If you, as a CSC chaplain or a supporter of this ministry, want to attend this three-day conference, you will need to make your reservation without delay. There is no fee for the conference, but we must know if you and your spouse will be joining us so that we can plan our group meals and other events appropriately. Of course, your hotel accommodations and travel expenses are on your own. The conference begins Saturday, August 2, with a general worship service at the Hilton Palacio del Rio; and ends Monday at noon, August 4. The General Assembly sessions open Monday evening. One of the highlights of our Pre-Assembly Chaplains Conference is the Honors Dinner, a formal affair that brings focus to our vast chaplaincy programs around the world. You must have reservations to attend this and other Pre-Assembly chaplaincy events. Send us a note of your interest to: chapcm@bellsouth.net.
 
CHAPLAINCY NEWS FROM THE FIELD:
 
1.      Community Service Chaplain Marlene Giordano, Bellevue, Nebraska, gave us an outstanding report of her sponsorship of a health fair at their local church. She reports they had 19 vendors highlighting many community programs. 
2.      Prison Chaplain Constance Pettitt, Millbrook, Alabama, reports: “Alabama is developing a new pre-release for inmates to help minimize potential for prison violence, escape or institutional misconduct. It is also intended to reduce recidivism. We are part of that program, and we covet your prayers.”
3.      New Zealand Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, Chaplain Ray Bloomfield, gave us a report of his ministry activities to include: a retreat for new CPE students, a BBQ for staff/chaplaincy team, various professional events including the Interchurch Council on Hospital Chaplaincy. He always includes a personal testimony of his one-on-one bedside ministry. In one situation, he worked with a family as their child was dying; blessing the baby and committing him to the Lord. In another situation, an elderly man dying in ICU was encouraged to share memories with family around his bedside. 
4.      Hospital Chaplain Alexis Smith, Greensboro, North Carolina, requests prayer for her mother who has dementia. She also requests prayer for her brother.
5.      Community Service Chaplain Rhonda Hall, King George, Virginia, has a most unique chaplaincy outreach ministry. She has organized a team of individuals to go into distressed areas and offer free haircuts. This gives her a chance to conduct “in the field” chaplaincy ministry. She also, in a timely fashion, visits families anticipating court dates that could result in incarceration.
6.      Navy Chaplain (LT) Harry Hansen, serving on the Island of Crete, reports that he had the opportunity to host the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (BGN) David Scott during his visit to Crete. Chaplain Scott notes, “Chaplain Hansen did an outstanding job and his wife, Kristie, is a wonderful addition to a great team. We are fortunate to have them in such a strategic place of ministry.” Chaplain Hansen, prior to completing his Seminary training and choosing chaplaincy ministry, was a Delta Airline pilot. 
 
FINALLY:
 
There are many burdens that come with my job as Director of the Chaplains Commission; but so many benefits. The greatest benefit is that I never get bored! Every day, we receive critical reports of our chaplains’ needs and accomplishments around the world. Like all ministries, we have the “good, bad and ugly.” Thank God, 90% of it falls in the category of the “good.” Sure, we deal with chaplains’ pass-over for promotion, family struggles, financial needs, multiple deployments and all the other things that might be categorized as the “bad” or “ugly.” But all that gets overshadowed by the day-in and day-out success of our chaplains’ ministries. Keep our chaplains and their families in your daily prayers. 
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

April 13th, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
 
Local church chaplaincy is creating a new ministry paradigm for the Church of God! This new paradigm is based on the fact that in order to have an effective church in this post-modern world, every Christian should have a ministry “within the gates” and “outside the gates.” Whether Sunday school teacher, choir member or usher, in order to fulfill the mandate of Scripture one must extend ministry to those in desperate need of care in the broader community. Typically, this means the most faithful church members would be trained to go on a weekly basis to some specific place within the community that needs helping hands for desperate individuals and families. This mandate in based on the Scriptures. As we know, Jesus suffered and died “outside the gates;” and, in a sense, the new covenant temple was spiritually moved “out there.” That is why the Scriptures poignantly lift up the concept that as we do it unto the least of these, we do it unto Him. So, while He ministers to us “within the gates” of the local church, we minister to Him by going to those “outside the gates.”
 
Does this concept work? Consult with Reverend Gerald McGinnis, Park West Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee. He will tell you that it will revolutionize a local church. He has dozens of faithful “inside the gates” workers who also have ministries “outside the gates” in the community. This involves outreach to University Campuses, jails and prisons, hospitals, homeless centers and the list goes on. Reverend Bob Collins at the World Outreach Worship Center in Newport News, Virginia, has trained more than 150 faithful laypersons in our chaplaincy program. They are workers “inside the gates,” but have specific places of ministry “outside” the local church within the community.
This is chaplaincy at its best. It is taking the principles we have learned for many years with “outside the gates” ministry to the military, hospitals, prisons and 34 additional agenciesand applies them to our local churches. Churches that are “islands unto themselves” continue to let God bless them within the gates, but fail to apply the same principle “outside the gates.” These churches will dry up and eventually be eliminated. If the Church of God is not known as an “outside the gates” care agency, we will end up with a handful of egotistical, self-serving people with little or no voice within the larger world. However, by embracing this concept, the Church will be known as a lighthouse of care and be blessed within the gates in order that all of us, including the pastor, will have specific “outside the gates” chaplaincy ministry. Let us wake up and realize that God has sent chaplaincy for such a time as this!
 
SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS:
1.      Hospital Chaplain John Renfro, Conway, South Carolina, gives us this report concerning his wife’s father’s recent death: “Winford Emory was the ideal father-in-law and father. At his death this week, all seven of his children surrounded the bed giving thanks for this faithful layman. Being led by the Lord, my wife, Easter, and I took him fishing just a few weeks before he died. These are moments that will be forever burned in our hearts.”
2.      Clinical Chaplain John Corcoran, Miamisburg, Ohio, sends this report: “I am still dealing with multiple fire deaths of a female fire department captain and a young firefighter. They were killed when the floor collapsed. Three others were trapped, but rescued. Our team held debriefing throughout the day and provided other professional individuals to be available for peer support. Keep these families in your prayers.”
3.      FBI Chaplain Darrell Bewley, Bristol, Tennessee, reports: “Keep in prayer the family of one of our officers that was shot and killed during a police chase. I was involved with the death notification with the family of the deceased.”
4.      Hospital Chaplain Gerald Smith, Titusville, Florida, requests prayer for his son-in-law, Sergeant Christopher Hatcher, who is serving with the 102nd Airborne in Iraq.
5.      Mental Health Chaplain Dennis DuPont, Odenton, Maryland, sent a specific request for prayer for one of their nurses who, right before Easter, lost three grandchildren in a fire. He notes that she is a faithful Pentecostal, but is deeply struggling with this loss. In response to this tragedy, Chaplain DuPont notes: “This affected our entire mental health community. One of our patients, a recovering Vietnam Veteran with depression, saw a picture of the children posted at the nurses’ station and made a beautiful charcoal drawing of them for the grandmother. He can relate to this tragedy because years ago, one of his children was murdered. He uses his drawing as a way of caring for others and responding to his own deep losses.”
6.      Clinical Chaplain Christian Sandru, Toronto, Canada, reports: “Last month, we held two memorial services for staff that died in tragic accidents. The Lord moved in divine ways with His presence and spiritual strength. Continue to pray for these grieving families.”
7.      Prison Chaplain Bill Whittenberger, Panama City, Florida, requests prayer for his wife, Darlene, who has just completed major surgery. 
8.      Hospital Chaplain Angelo Betancourt, Fort Worth, Texas, reports that his wife, Priscilla, recently went through a kidney transplant. Chaplain Betancourt requests prayer for healing and the financial obligations connected with this procedure.
9.      Law Enforcement Chaplain David Shepherd, Horse Cave, Kentucky, requests prayer for the victims of two recent traffic fatalities where he provided chaplaincy services. He reports: “In both of these accidents, occupants were killed. Keep the family members in prayer; especially the two drivers of the trucks involved in the accident. Both drivers let me know they were Christians; and received their greatest strength from the Lord.”
10. Becky Popejoy, wife of our InternationalField Training Coordinator, Reverend Jake Popejoy, Davenport, Iowa, underwent surgery this week. Any of you who know Becky, know what a positive, passionate Christian she is; and her dependency upon the Lord. We ask our entire chaplaincy family to continue to lift up Becky in your prayers. According to all reports, the surgery was very successful.
 
SPECIAL REPORTS:
1.      Judi Moore, daughter of Dr. John D. Nichols, Sevierville, Tennessee, shares this report: “My dad is responding so well to chemotherapy that the doctors are going to give his body a break and see how the cancer will now respond. The physicians feel dad’s right leg is showing some signs of swelling due to blockage. They want him to have 4-6 weeks of physical therapy in Knoxville, their home. Mom and dad are thrilled to get back home. At the end of 6 weeks, he will return to Houston for re-evaluation. Genuine thanks for all of you who have been praying for dad’s recovery.”
2.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Chris Wilson, Fort Hood, Texas, gives this wonderful report: “My wife, Meghan, delivered Andrew Christopher Wilson, our first boy. He was born April 2nd, and was 10 lbs, 4 oz. He joins our 4 daughters, who are very excited and will become his big-sister helpers!” Send your notes of congratulations to cmwilson95@yahoo.com.
3.      Veterans Affairs and AF Reserve Chaplain Michael Doan, Marion, IL, just completed the requirements for the Doctorate of Ministries Degree with Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX. His dissertation is entitled, “The Effectiveness of Interpersonal Relationship Groups for Improving Communication Skills Among Parishioners in the US Air Force Chaplaincy Ministries. Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Doan at: Michael.Doan@va.gov
 
MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1.      Chaplain (LCDR-P) Melvin Underwood, Virginia Beach, Virginia, reports that July, 2008, he will be transferred to his new overseas assignment in Guam. He will be establishing chaplaincy ministries for the Submarine Force in the Western Pacific Region; a most responsible and critical position.
2.      Air Force Chaplain (Capt) Victor (Danny) Pagan, Korea, reports: “Our sunrise service at Osan Air Base was a cultural celebration with more than 150 Korean Servicemen joining a large crowd of U.S. military personnel. We had more than 250 who celebrated Resurrection Sunday.”
3.      Virginia Military Chaplain Peter Shoars, Fredericksburg, Virginia, reports he is working as a chaplain with the Virginia Defense Force, with his main ministry at Walter Reed Medical Center. He reports that he held Protestant services at Fort Pickett Chapel; during that service, three Marines accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.
4.      Air Force Chaplain (Capt) Jonathan Hurt, San Antonio, Texas, reports: “I was the project officer for our National Prayer Luncheon. We had 450 in attendance to hear Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Cecil Richardson give a marvelous sermon; endorsed by the Assemblies of God.”
 
INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY NEWS (Hospitals, prisons, law enforcement, college campuses, industry, etc.):
1.      Prayer is requested for Dr. Tom and Lidia Grassano, Directors of Urban Harvest Ministries. Dr. Grassano reports: “Our Hope for the City – Detroit, includes seven days of continuous prayer and strategic outreaches that will take place as over 30 churches take to the streets for witnessing and care.”
2.      Campus Chaplain Luther Caraway, Vidalia, Georgia, reports their Alpha-Omega Ignite services are awesome. He gives testimony of the students who are attending their worship, prayer and fellowship groups at Brewton-Parker College; and states revival is breaking out on campus. In one service, the singing, praying and worship lasted for three hours.
3.      Law Enforcement Chaplain Terry Wigley, Saraland, Alabama, reports that he responded to the death of one of their long-term police sergeants. Also, he gives testimony of how God used him to intervene in saving a life. He states: “I noticed what appeared to be a disabled vehicle in the middle lane of a busy intersection. I activated my blue lights so I could get near the vehicle in very heavy traffic. When I arrived, it was apparent that the female driver was having a medical problem. I called for back-up and for the emergency response unit. The driver was going into a diabetic coma. We treated her at the scene; praise God, she is recovering!”
4.      One of our busiest Community Service Chaplains is Chaplain Betty Moore, Fieldale, Virginia. Through her “Moore Ministries, Incorporated,” she not only ministers throughout her region, but overseas. In a recent 15-day mission trip to India, she was privileged to preach and minister to orphans, prostitutes and in many local churches. This international ministry, built on chaplaincy principles, is reaching a world in pain.
 
FINALLY:
Words cannot express the way in which our chaplains are changing the face of our denomination. Through our Basic Chaplaincy Course, we have already trained almost 6,000 pastors and key lay persons. We often say that the passion to care lies within the heart of every Christian. Our chaplaincy courses have helped ignite this passion into unbelievable chaplaincy and care ministries. Some of the greatest heroes of the Church are not serving in a high-level position; they are individuals like Law Enforcement Chaplain C. L. Brasfield, Charlotte, North Carolina, who, in his 80s, continues to work on a daily basis with law enforcement personnel and those within his community who are stricken with tragedy. It is a privilege to be connected with this team of chaplains who refuse to stay silent when there is so much devastation in our world. Chaplaincy is for everyone; it is God’s way of wrenching us from our comfort zones out into the world’s war zone.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

April 6th, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
 
For more than 30 years, the Church of God Chaplains Commission has attempted to maintain the highest level of integrity and discipline for our chaplains. However, chaplains, like all ministers, are human; and occasionally, this office must deal with chaplains in need of discipline. Sometimes, this period of supervised discipline is needed to help a chaplain get through financial woes, a crisis within their family, or, in many cases, a struggle with the institution they serve. This simply means that, as the endorser, we enter into a covenant of supervision which could require counseling, on-site visits or, in some cases, intervention when a chaplain is unduly being misunderstood or mistreated by those within the employing institution. When a chaplain is formally endorsed through the Chaplains Commission, he/she understands this necessary, on-going relationship of support and, at times, discipline.
 
This unique relationship between the chaplain and endorsing agency is best seen with military chaplains. Before a military chaplain can serve, either in the active or reserve service, they must receive a formal endorsement from their Chaplains Commission; and this endorsement signals that the military service and the denominational endorser are entering into a relationship as long as that person serves in the military. This unique process goes back more than 200 years in U.S. history of military chaplaincy service. As far as I know, the military chaplain, who is a uniformed officer, is the only officer in the military who has two authorities; both actively participating in the chaplain’s ministry throughout their military career. If for some reason the chaplain violates his/her covenant with the sponsoring denomination, endorsement is pulled and the chaplain must either leave the military service or obtain endorsement from another denomination.
 
Rather than this being a burden to chaplains, as far as I am concerned, this is the “best news” they could hear. Who would want to go into the military, hospitals, jails, prisons or other institutions without a strong “denominational lifeline?” We do not endorse ourselves to these institutions; we are sent by a sponsoring faith group. And, while we minister to a wide audience of individuals with diverse faith experiences, we always are aware that we represent a particular denomination with a particular lifestyle, practices of ministry and theology. It is out of the strength of knowing who we are and who it is that sends us that we can now serve with a great sense of security; with the strength of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. And, to no one’s surprise, if we come as a Church of God endorsed chaplain, Commanders, hospital administrators, wardens and all the other supervisors in places we serve, are disappointed when we are not “who we say we are.” Years ago, when visiting one of our chaplains, the Catholic Priest that supervised our chaplain made the following statement, “I thought you were sending me a Pentecostal, not another Catholic Priest! Your chaplain robes out like a Catholic Priest. I think he has lost his Pentecostal identity.” I can assure you that this message was passed to this chaplain in the most expedient manner possible…and that chaplain turned out to be one of the finest we have ever endorsed. Continue to pray for our chaplains; even more than discipline, they need our prayers and our genuine support.
 
 
CPE SUPERVISORY IS A TOUGH MINISTRY:
The Church of God is fortunate to have several certified Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisors. As most of our full-time and many of our volunteer chaplains know, CPE is a process of training vital to chaplaincy ministries. In fact, many institutions require CPE or its equivalency. Generally, CPE is offered in the format of a quarter of training (3 months) and/or one year of training. Those of you who have completed this process know that it is intense, personal, theologically challenging and a process which flushes out those hidden agendas which hinder effective ministry. More than anything else, it forces the Pentecostal to defend his/her faith, theology and practice within a wide, pluralistic environment. It is an interchange of ideas and theology, coupled with a lot of ministry practice in dialogue with CPE student’s peer group, supervisor and institution they are serving.
 
To be a supervisor in this intense process, you are generally speaking of anywhere from one to five years of additional training beyond the year of residency. This process includes numerous meetings with committees, theological, educational and clinical papers, and two national levels of certification which includes highly sophisticated peer reviews. I can assure you that every one of our Church of God CPE Supervisors have felt they have been, time and again, placed back on the “Potter’s Wheel;” shaped, reshaped and reshaped again. And, even after full certification, these supervisors must periodically go before peer review committees, site accreditation visits and a process that goes on forever. I just wanted to take a moment to thank God for our CPE Supervisors. They are a special group, tried in the fire time and again; and, across the board, mentoring chaplains for the intense ministry battles they will face in future ministries.
 
CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1.      Ireland Chaplain John Walsh, recently return home from a mission’s trip to Indonesia. In his latest report, he tells of his ministry to the bikers in his region. He states, “These Christian bikers are our tools to reach a modern generation who will not attend our church services. They are our evangelists, ministering to bikers and street kids.”
2.      Sincere congratulations go to Pastoral Counselor Dr. Rodney Vickers, Virginia Beach, Virginia,who recently defended his Doctoral dissertation and will graduate with honors very shortly.  
3.      Dr. Hector Chiesa, Assistant Director of New York State Prison Ministries, New York City, New York, was recently presented the “President’s Call to Service Award.” This award, signed by President Bush, is awarded from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The award calls for 4,000 hours of service to one’s community. You may send your notes of congratulations to Dr. Chiesa at: hachiesa@radiovison.net.
4.      Hospital Chaplain John Renfro, Conway, South Carolina, requests that we pray for his father-in-law who is diagnosed with stage 4 lung Cancer.
5.      Community Service Chaplain Danny Atkins, Martinsville, Virginia, was diagnosed with terminal Cancer September, 2006. At that time, they gave him only 6 months to live. Now, he sends this report: “Following this grim diagnosis, I took the chaplaincy course in one of your programs in Virginia. Praise to the Lord, I have been working ever since as a chaplain! I have been involved in jail ministry for 22 years, visiting our local facilities 3-4 times a week. I am also a volunteer chaplain at our local hospital. My testimony is especially relevant to our inmates who are experiencing life-threatening diseases. Even though I still deal with my health problems, Praise God my ministry goes on!”
6.      York County Detention Center Chaplain Cynthia Lovingood, New York, reports: “My family needs special prayer. My 17-year-old granddaughter has Hodgkin’s disease, my 8-year-old grandson has epilepsy and my 30-year-old son is in desperate need of physical and spiritual healing. On the ministry side, this month I handed out 66 Bibles, I was responsible for seeing that 91 Bible study groups were held, counseled with 12 individuals and made personal spiritual contact with a total of 653. God continues to open doors for ministry that are unbelievable!”
7.      Chaplain Joel Hammons, Ruleville, Mississippi, gave this report: “Recently, an estranged husband of an employee of our local hospital shot and killed his wife and attempted to kill another woman. The staff at the hospital was devastated. I was able to work with the staff as a group and individually. Keep the staff and those families affected by this tragedy in your prayers.”
8.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) David Santiago-Cruz, Germany, requests prayer for their son, David, Jr., who is currently deployed to Iraq. 
 
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENT, JUNE 2-6, 2008:
The Chaplains Commission sponsors a Community Service Chaplains Basic Course every year on the campus of our Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee. I am asking all our chaplains to advertise this course. The training is scheduled for Monday, June 2, through Friday, June 6. In addition to receiving outstanding instruction from Dr. Doc Williams, Dr. Jake Popejoy, Dr. Keith Munford, Dr. Donnie Smith and Dr. Robert Crick, you will get the chance to visit the Commission offices and tour our international facilities in Cleveland. Anyone interested should consult our Chaplains Commission website at www.cogchaplains.com, or contact Dr. Doc Williams at doccc@cogchaplains.com.
 
FINALLY:
We are still receiving great reports from our chaplains’ Easter Holy Week worship services and other events. From Korea, Air Force Chaplain (Capt) Victor (Danny) Pagan’s Holy Thursday Communion services appeared on one of the Pentagon websites. The service was indicative of the very deeply, passionate and personal way that our chaplains respond to Holy Week events. Army Chaplain (Capt) Jeff Bartels had a series of Easter events, to include a sunrise service in a most strategic area of Iraq. Air Force Chaplain (Capt) Gloria Tyner celebrated these events in our largest hospital in Iraq, with special services and bedside Communion and anointings. This week was especially significant to our prison chaplains who brought the Good News of the cross and resurrection to some of our world’s most destitute. This special season offers opportunity to our chaplains to reach men and women who, for the most part, have not previously encountered the passion of our Lord’s death and resurrection. I know you will continue to pray for our chaplains, their family members and for those they serve so faithfully.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

March 31st, 2008
Choice greetings!
 
When doing chaplaincy ministry, Truth is paramount. As we have seen in the current political arena, “truth” is often distorted, individualized or just simply ignored. Even when there seems no apparent reason or benefit in distorting the truth, politicians, so used to exaggerations and false claims, seem more comfortable with “shady truth” than “real truth.” And, of course, this same behavior is found in ministers, of which chaplains are included. Both in the church and in the marketplace, these actions bring discredit to the minister, the church and to our Lord. We often say, it is not even enough to “do the right thing;” we must always “do the right thing for the right reason.” Truth, in its purest form takes into consideration not just “the fact,” but, how the facts will be used or abused by those that hear the facts. Truth must always be dispersed with the highest motives and understanding. Just to throw out the facts may tickle the ears, but could wound those we are called to heal.   
 
Someone stated that chaplains are the moral conscience of the institutions or settings they serve. What an awesome responsibility. With that responsibility, what guides our behavior? First, we must always be who we proclaim ourselves to be. “To be” is far more important than “to do” or “to know.” Secondly, when speaking or preaching, we must be able to think outside our own narrow perspective.   That is, we must make sure our language is Word centered, and, is properly understood within the pluralistic settings of our assignments. How often do we speak as if our audience is all one gender or race; and comes from just a small section of the world? We live in a post-modern, pluralistic society, a society that needs a Gospel that is “truth centered” and which speaks to hearts of all of us. And finally, our words and deeds as chaplains need to be free of “hidden agendas.” Sometimes when I hear a message in church I find myself saying, “What is the real agenda here?” Is it to proclaim Jesus, or is it proclaimed for some other, less than pure, reason? Do we preach the same way whether to privates or generals; to the poor or the rich? Everyone, the store clerk or the store owner, needs a chaplain who they “know” to be morally sensitive to who they are and the needs they bring to this sacred setting. Jesus Christ is our model for being trustworthy. His spiritual conduit was so pure that anyone, the prostitute or the tax collector, could share their need or plight in life with Him without His “hidden agenda” getting entangled with their need for salvation, acceptance and healing. This world deserves chaplains and ministers with clean hearts and minds; who “do the right thing for the right reasons.” Thank God for Church of God chaplains of that caliber. Keep them and their families in your daily prayers. 
 
 
NEWS FROM THE FIELD:
1.      Air Force Chaplain, CPT, Gloria Tyner, just recently was deployed to Iraq. She writes: “Greeting from Balad, Iraq. The Lord has been good! I am the hospital chaplain at the biggest hospital in theater. We have the best doctors and nurses in the military; giving great service to our servicemen and women. My ministry to our staff, our US military patients and Iraqi contractors is wide open. I had the privilege of meeting with Air Force Chief of Chaplain Cecil Richardson at our hospital. Keep this vital ministry in your prayers.”  
2.      National Guard Chaplain (LTC) Ray Williams is on his way back to the US after a deployment to Iraq. We will give you a full report of his outstanding ministry in a later Update. He can now be contacted at: ray.williams@us.army.mil
3.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, Iraq sent us a report and pictures of his Combined Aviation Task Force Easter Sunrise and regular services. Like all our chaplains in these distant and critical areas, many US military and civilian personnel have been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit
4.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Barron Wester, Iraq sent this urgent prayer request: “Pray for my soldiers. We are very close to coming home after a 15 month deployment. We recently had our 19th KIA (a 19 year old by a sniper). Obviously this is a tremendous blow to our unit. We have had numerous other “close calls” from mortars, IEDs and the other dangers of our area. Pray for me also as I seek to minister to these young men.”(Chaplain Wester was seriously wounded some months back by a sniper’s round. But, after recovering in Germany for several weeks, he requested and was granted the opportunity to return to this unit. Pray for Chaplain Wester and all our deployed military chaplains; also, their families and the soldiers and the families they serve.)
5.      Army Chaplain (Major) Randy Imhoff wasrecently recalled to active duty as a Family Life Chaplain, Fort Drum, NY. He sent this report on Sheena, his and Darlene’s adult daughter: “We took Sheena to Church today. She wanted to go to the altar. With some help, she stood and raised her right hand to worship. Before the accident, she was always in the altar, worshipping the Lord. Several of the youth came to pray with and speak with Sheena. In a sense, she is again fulfilling her calling as a youth pastor.”
6.      Air Force Reserve Chaplain (LTC) Charles Perry, Chippewa Falls, WI, will retire with honors from the military reserve service in a formal ceremony on May 4, 2008. Chaplain Perry, with several deployments to combat areas, has had an outstanding ministry; leading many to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. In his civilian ministry, he serves as a counselor at a Vet’s home. He writes: “These vets have many deep needs. Many of them have mental and emotional problems. Each morning before I go to work, I take up my cross and die to self so that Christ can live His life through me. I want to solely depend on the power and love of Christ.”
7.      Puerto Rico’s Chaplaincy Coordinator, Ismael Ponce, reports that his only brother recently died. He is currently in the Dominican Republic taking care of the funeral and giving care to a grieving family.
8.      Teresa Bartels, wife of Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, (Jeff is on deployment to Iraq) sent this urgent prayer request: “Pray for my sister, Lisa. She just came out of surgery; with an infection from a previous surgery. Also, pray for my Mom, who is caring for her. 
  
FINALLY:
Within a few days, we will be presenting to the Care Division and the Executive Council our 2008-2009 budgets and a report of last year’s ministry. In reflecting on this past year, consider the following: (1) We just dedicated our new Chaplaincy Training and Development Center in Quito, Ecuador; (2) While in Ecuador, we had the opportunity to set up the first ever Chaplaincy Chair. The professor, who is assigned to this special academic Chair, will see that chaplaincy and care courses are given to every student and to ministers in extension classes throughout South America. And, the Chair has already been funded for the first two years. (2) We now have chaplaincy ministries in 70 countries; with a great working relationship with our World Mission’s Department; (3) since the events of 9/11, 42 of our Church of God military chaplains have been deployed to combat areas; with reports of hundreds being saved, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit; (4) our hospital and prison chaplains are serving with distinction. Several of these clinical ministers are CPE Supervisors, directors of local and state-wide pastoral care programs and specialists in medical and social care areas; (5) this past year, hundreds of pastors and other leaders have take our Basic Chaplaincy course and our specialized courses in Additions, Domestic Violence, Campus Ministries, Suicide Intervention and Grief, Death and Dying and Trauma. These are just a few of the reasons why God is using chaplaincy to lift up a new ministry paradigm for the entire Church. The fact of the matter it is not new; this paradigm of care comes form our Lord, who says, “As you do it unto the least of these, my brothers, you do it unto Me.”
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

March 22nd, 2008
Choice Easter greetings!
 
Two of the most significant events in the history of mankind take place this week. On Good Friday, we recognize, celebrate and reflect on the significance of the crucifixion of our Lord. And on Easter Sunday, we acknowledge His victory over the grave and our promise of eternal life with Him. These two universal events are inseparable. There is no eternal life without the pain, struggle and death. Neither event will carry the eternal results without the other. I know there are those, through symbols and theological discussions, who would almost want us to forget about that terrible Friday. In my early childhood, I was taught, “Thank God, He is no longer on the Cross.” Therefore, our empty crosses, all polished and shinny, hang in our sanctuaries or around our necks or on our lapels. While there may be some truth in these symbols, as chaplains, who work in the middle of the world’s struggles and pain, we can never ignore the passion, suffering and power of the Cross. That would be like receiving an award at some great celebration without acknowledging the moms and dads who worked in difficult places and long hours with sweat and blood, which made that celebration possible.
 
When I was involved in a clinical residency at the National Institutes of Health, I learned, through my dying patients, the power that is in the Cross… I was planning our Easter service for a cancer ward with patients so critical that they most likely would not survive the next few weeks or months. I asked some of them what they would like to do for Easter morning. They wanted me to have an open discussion about death. This surprised me; I was thinking they would want to put those thoughts a great distance from their minds. And it turned out to be marvelous. One of the things I learned on that day that has served me all these years is that while patients may be sick and dying, they are not without tremendous insight and power. Openly, honestly and with passion, they shared their thoughts of their pending deaths; but against the backdrop of the Hope that was to follow. They knew it would be impossible to separate Good Friday from Easter. If we do not celebrate them together, our Easter will be nothing more than Easter egg hunts, pretty dresses and light-hearted songs of joy. And without the hope of the Resurrection, our Good Fridays would be nothing but hopeless grief. Chaplains around the world experience this inseparable relationship on a daily basis. In working with inmates in prison as they await execution or Soldiers in combat, chaplains, like those they serve, chaplains come face to face with death but always within the context of the hope of the Resurrection.    May your Good Friday be awesome; and may your Easter have depth, integrity and hope.
 
DISASTER RESPONSE MINISTRIES REVIEW:
The Chaplains Commission has an outstanding Disaster Response Ministries Program, connected closely to Operation Compassion. When there is a disaster, the first responders are the law enforcement agencies, medical personnel and agencies like Operation Compassion. Wherever the disaster takes place, Operation Compassion has the ability to instantly respond with food, water, emergency equipment and other resources that make them “first responders.” Within a day, we attempt to place on Operation Compassion’s disaster sites “immediate responders.” “Immediate responders” are trained chaplains, generally sent as a group, to set up counseling centers to offer immediate services to those who are traumatized, and as we experienced during Katrina, to help bury and honor the dead. Our Disaster Response Ministries are headed up by Reverend Tom Offutt, who has a good history in these ministries. In Alabama, our Disaster Response Ministries are headed up by Chaplain Joseph Schuck, who, during the recent tornado activity in Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas, helped organize teams that were on site a day or two after the tornadoes hit. One of the reasons for this groups’ ability to give immediate response is that in Alabama, we have very well established State Chaplains Association; chaplains who have taken our Community Service Chaplains Basic Course and continue to keep themselves up to date with Red Cross courses, FEMA instruction and other activities that qualify them for this task. If you have interest in the Disaster Response Ministries Programs, contact Tom Offutt at 423-478-7218, or by emailing: tomoffutt@charter.net.
 
NEWS FROM THE FIELD:
1.      Dr. Betty Standifer, a University Professor, Cleveland, Tennessee, has an exciting ministry to female inmates in a local prison. She, with our encouragement, is currently conducting research that gives focus to the increasing number of women who occupy prisons throughout the world. She understands this to be a special group demanding specialized ministry. If you have an interest in this type of ministry, contact us and we will pass your information on to Dr. Standifer. Let me share with you one brief testimony of one of her many incidents of ministry. Dr. Standifer states: “I entered our lock-down section and sat “Indian style” on the cot next to a 22-year-old inmate. I could tell she had been crying; her hair was matted; she had very bad breath odor. She unfolded her story. She had been on crack since she was 10 years old; came from a bad home environment. She painfully shared with me the fact that her brother had raped her many times. She leaned down to whisper to me, I have never been able to tell anyone about this. She even showed me a letter that she had written to God following an attempt at suicide. Her comments to God, full of hopelessness, broke my heart. But in her letter, even in her hopeless state, she repeated I love you! I love you, God!” You can see why Dr. Standifer takes this ministry so seriously; and she is pleading for the entire Church to recognize that these are our “moms and daughters.”
2.      Hospital Chaplain Rod Harwood, Pendleton, Oregon, sends this report: “In one of the surrounding small communities, a young 17-year-old girl took her life. The hospital where she died was made up of staff that knew her and her family. I had the ministry privilege of helping the local staff and students from the young girl’s school cope with their grief and lingering thoughts. Many of the kids at the school knew me as “coach” because of the years I spent coaching them when they were middle school students. On another note, I have been chosen to be part of a group of care-givers to be trained as facilitators of a program called the Sacred Art of Living and Dying Workshops. The term Sacred Art of Dying was used 1,000 years ago in hospice-type programs. They believed there was a sacred art that could be learned that would help people die well. This training has opened many doors for ministry within my community.”
3.      Prison Chaplain Joseph Miller, Newland, North Carolina, notes: “I have begun a new ministry within my institution called Mug Shot Café. This is designed for Christian inmates to come and bring others to dialogue and enjoy treats. It is not a church service, but we play Christian music, share testimonies and present the Gospel in an informal manner. We have already had converts in this ministry. Keep us in your prayers.”
 
SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS:
1.       Pray for our chaplains around the world who will be conducting Holy Week services in jails, prisons, on University Campuses, hospitals and in combat settings. 
2.      Keep praying for the family of Valerie Abbott, our executive secretary, as they continue to process the grief of losing her mother.
3.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Terry Simmons, Fort Carson, Colorado, is asking us to pray for his father, who is experiencing physical and financial problems. As most of you know, Chaplain Simmons recently returned from a one-year assignment to Afghanistan.
4.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, serving in Iraq, sent a special prayer request for his troops as they begin to make transition into the extremely hot months in that part of the world. He reports that this week the temperatures soared to 105 degrees.
 
DR. CHARLES W. CONN:
Dr. Charles W. Conn, distinguished leader, passed away on March 18, 2008. He was no stranger to Church of God chaplaincy ministries. He was always one of our greatest supporters. Dr. Conn served as General Overseer, Lee University President, State Overseer, pastor, Editor-in-Chief of all Church of God publications and published many books, to include Like a Mighty Army. In 1961, when I was a chaplain stationed in Germany, Dr. Conn was instrumental, as an Executive Committee Member, in helping us get our first Church of God Ministry to the Military established. He was present at the first retreat in 1962, and up until his death, he has always been friend and treasured supporter of chaplaincy ministries. There was hardly any place I was assigned during my many years as a military chaplain that he didn’t find a way to be with me and other chaplains; whether in the U.S. or in Vietnam. When he was the General Overseer, I had the joy of hosting him in some pretty rugged terrain at our base camp and remote areas in Vietnam. Our Commission honored him with the title and distinction of being our “Chaplain Emeritus.” I know all of you will be praying for his family; and will never forget the tremendous impact he had on the Church of God generally; but more specifically, our chaplaincy and Ministry to the Military endeavors.
 
FINALLY:
Holy Week is a great time to ask the question, “What identifies you?” As very busy chaplains, administrators, international and regional leaders, how are you identified? Is it by the tons of administrative endeavors, trips throughout the U.S. and abroad or all the Board and Committee meetings you attend? Is it by the classes you teach, the worship services you hold or your financial portfolio? Some years ago, I was asked to give a briefing to military leaders concerning a new clinical pastoral education program being made available on many military bases. I will never forget that experience. I had a well-rehearsed and refined PowerPoint presentation, with facts and figures and all the other things that go into a presentation given to such a prestigious audience. But right in the middle of that presentation, one of those present asked, “Does this program provide anything for those suffering difficult family situations?” I learned after the meeting that this high-ranking officer has recently experienced a devastating divorce, with the loss of not only his wife, but that of his children. His identification was not as a high-level administrator, but as a person in pain and in need of help. So really, what identifies us is our family, those significant relationships and the loved one that will be by our side long after we retire from all these awesome responsibilities. That is what I love about Easter…the Cross and the Easter excitement brings it down to the simplicity of “who are you, really?” Looking on His face, as He hung on that cross, the disciples finally had to decide, “is He really the Savior, and am I willing to also die for Him.” Who are we? Are we the things we do or the relationships we have with Him and those that really love us?
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
 
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
 
RDC/vja

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Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

March 15th, 2008
Choice Christian greetings!
 
They are called “volunteers,” but they are more than that! They are our Community Service Chaplains, more than 2,000 around the world. Even though they are “volunteers” working generally without recompense, they are some of the most committed chaplains. We began this program in 1978; and many of those we endorsed in the early years are still regular, faithful CSC chaplains. One of those chaplains is Law Enforcement Chaplain Douglas Hardy, Carrollton, Georgia. In just one month, he made 30 “one-on-one” visits with law enforcement personnel, averaged more than 20 hours per week on duty, dealt with grieving family members who had lost loved ones and made several emergency calls during automobile and other tragedies. Another example is the ministry of Chaplain Ernest Pennington, Beaver, West Virginia. His volunteer chaplaincy ministry began when he was an Overseer and pastor, and has not ceased in his “retirement” years. He makes regular visits to nursing homes, delivers food to widows, preaches funerals of those within his community who are without pastors, and the list goes on. Community Service Chaplain Marlene Giordano, Bellevue, Nebraska, works with nursing facilities, hospitals and other clinical areas. Recently, she organized her local church’s first health fair; and is known in her community as the “first chaplain on site.” Finally, visit with me the ministries of Chaplain Andrew and Cherry Landrus, Crab Orchard, Tennessee. Andrew and Cherry had outstanding careers in the military; always wherever assigned, they were leaders in support of chaplaincy and other military ministries. Following the military, Andrew had a second successful career with a civilian government agency, and retired to what some would say was a “quiet, serene area” of mountainous middle Tennessee. It did not take him long to discover that, in addition to beautiful, gated retirement communities, this area also had a large number of poor, uneducated and distressed families. Through their tireless efforts, the Landruses have developed chaplaincy programs for public schools, homeless and especially the underprivileged kids who went to school every day hungry. Their feeding, clothing and health programs are second to none in this area; and their chaplaincy endeavors are connected with numerous other community social agencies, giving care around the clock to those in need. It is not accidental that their daughter, Army Chaplain (CPT) Heather Landrus, also received the call to chaplaincy ministries. She just returned from a most successful assignment in Korea, and will most likely join a unit that could be deployed to Iraq. These are just a few of our outstanding Community Service chaplains. They, along with our full-time chaplains, are fulfilling the mandate of ministering “outside the gates.”
 
2008 Pre-General Assembly Chaplains Conference:
Every two years, the Church of God Chaplains Commission sponsors a conference for our full-time chaplains and other guests for three days prior to the General Assembly. This year’s conference theme will be “Sustaining Hope for our Chaplains, their Families and Those They Serve.” The conference will begin with 7 p.m. worship on Saturday, August 2, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio, San Antonio, Texas. The Pre-Assembly Conference will end on Monday, noon, August 4. Of course, the 2008 General Assembly begins Monday evening, August 4. While our full-time chaplains are required to attend this event, we also invite our Community Service chaplains and other guests to register for this conference. There is no registration fee, but you would be expected to cover all your own expenses (hotel, travel, etc.) If our CSC and others are interested, you need to send your name to us at: trainingcc@bellsouth.net.
MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1.      Air Force Chaplain (Capt) Gloria Tyner, who just rotated from a three-year assignment to Japan, has now been deployed to Iraq for 6 months. As soon as Chaplain Tyner gets settled into her new unit, we will pass her email address on to you so that you can lift her up in your prayers and assist in sending goods for her troops, especially during the holidays.
2.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory, station near the Korean DMZ, writes: “As you know, the U.S. Army has a program whereby our spouses can visit with us in Korea for several weeks, sharing alongside their spouse in ministry. My wife, Susan, made a recent visit where we had the opportunity to conduct ministry together on the DMZ, be involved in special events such as prayer breakfasts; and in a special ceremony, Susan received the American flag that was flown over one of our farthest outposts. This special occasion was afforded Susan by a very supportive commander. Back in the U.S., Susan volunteered at the Church of God Chaplains Commission where her assignment was to call other spouses whose husbands were deployed to Iraq and other critical areas. On one occasion, she was able to provide care to a chaplain’s wife whose husband had been wounded while on assignment in Iraq. Susan’s joining me in Korea was a special blessing from the Lord.”
3.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Taz Randles, Reserve Chaplain serving as a pastoral counselor at Lee University, has been mobilized for 365 days to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to work with the Warrior Transition Brigade. He will report to active duty April 15, 2008. This brigade is made up of Soldiers that have suffered various life-debilitating conditions that require remaining in a medical hold status until which time they can be released back to their units or to their home of record. Many of these Soldiers suffer with physical problems, as well as trauma. Incidentally, the command chaplain at Walter Reed Hospital is another Church of God Chaplain, Chaplain (COL) Charles Howell. God has a way of putting our chaplains at the right places at the right times.
 
SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS:
1.       Chaplain Samantha Cadet, Hollywood, Florida, is praying for a car/van to transport her 11 year-old daughter to school and to carry out her chaplaincy ministry. If you know of someone that would like to donate a used car/van, have them contact Chaplain Cadet at: slcadet@yahoo.com.
2.      Pray for the family of Rubye Culpepper Corbett, Valdosta, Georgia. Sister Corbett passed away recently after a long illness.   Sister Culpepper Corbett, the Great Aunt of Dr. Raymond Culpepper, First Assistant General Overseer, was a great supporter of our chaplaincy ministries for many years. Every year at her local church, she would coordinate a chaplaincy event to raise funds for chaplaincy ministries. In a ceremony at her church, I had the honor of making her a “chaplain emeritus.” On one occasion, she and her daughter, Carolyn, accompanied our Chaplains Commission Board on a 10-day trip to Europe. Sister Corbett, like so many who love this ministry, will be greatly missed; but her life and ministry will always be burned in our hearts.
3.      Law Enforcement Chaplain Mike Owens, Dawsonville, Georgia, requests prayer for a young mother who lost her husband and her 7 month-old unborn child in an automobile accident. Chaplain Owens made the death notification and continues to work with this family.
4.      Law Enforcement Chaplain William Howard, Saginaw, Michigan, requests prayer for his wife, Sue, as she anticipates her third surgery on her hip. Additionally, Chaplain Howard sent us a heart rendering prayer request for their area child protection agencies. An article that appeared in the Saginaw News tells of a family where there was extreme abuse resulting in the death of a 9 year-old boy and his father and step-mother. Apparently, the young boy, along with the father and step-mother, ingested night-time pain relievers and breathed carbon monoxide which the father pumped into the home from a pick-up truck. Chaplain Howard feels that we need better protection of our children throughout the U.S.
5.      Law Enforcement Chaplain John Hudnall, Woodland, California, requests prayer for the family of an elderly couple, married more than 60 years, who both died within hours of each other from natural causes. Chaplain Hudnall was called out to attend to this loss and minister to family members. Chaplain Hudnall also hosted a luncheon/fund drive on behalf of one of their local law enforcement officers who was killed in the line of duty. Present at the luncheon was another officer who has been deliberately run down by a motorcyclist at a road block. In that incident, the officer lost his right leg. Chaplain Hudnall requests prayer for police officers around the world who put their lives on the line every day.
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1. Jail and Prison Chaplain Connie Pettitt, Millbrook, Alabama, reports that her chaplaincy division is sponsoring a Kairos Inside Weekend, ministering healing and forgiveness to inmates.