Church of God Chaplains Commission

I just returned from a fantastic chaplaincy course/conference in Northampton, England. In a sense, England is one of our “model” works. First, the Overseer, Dr. Eric Brown, is 100% behind chaplaincy. At one time, he served on England’s National Prison Parole Board. He understands the ins and outs of this vital ministry. Secondly, he has set up an outstanding structure directed by Chaplaincy Coordinator Dennis Hines, which trains and supports both full-time and volunteer chaplains. At this conference, we trained chaplains who will serve in hospitals, prisons and other institutions. The course, taught primarily by Dr. Jake Popejoy, was superb. Additionally, we invited chaplains from other countries to join us. In addition to a very strong representation from England, we had the following chaplains attend and, in some cases, preach and teach: Army Chaplain (MAJ) Joseph Melvin and his wife, Linda, from Germany; Army Chaplain (MAJ) Jeff Walden, his wife, Roslyn, and their two children from Belgium; Ireland Prison Chaplain John Walsh; French Military Chaplain Michel Layes; England Prison Chaplain Ellis Kettle and his son, Mark, a chaplain candidate, and Mark’s wife, Sharon, and their new baby, Rachel. During the conference, we had the opportunity to conduct serious debriefing for two of our chaplains, one who had a recent near-death experience in a prison situation, and another who had been under tremendous stress due to the long-term care of his adult son. Thank God for our vast network of chaplains; serving in 68 different countries.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

National Guard Chaplain (MAJ) Ray Williams, informs us that he has now arrived at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he will be the Deputy Chaplain at the Joint Special Operations Command. This is a one-year Active Duty assignment. Send your welcome to “Active Duty” to Ray at: williamswr@jdi.army.mil. Army Chaplain (CPT) Charles Popov, Iraq, sent this heart rendering report: “The war is hard with my second deployment. I have already experienced five KIAs, and innumerable WIAs. We are in one of the hottest spots in this area. I know you will keep us in your prayers.” (Chaplain Popov had hardly been in Iraq a week when he received the Combat Action Badge, given to soldiers who have been in situations of live-fire.) Army Chaplain (MAJ) Mickey Jett, Iraq, sent this report: “I have only been in the country a few weeks. Last Sunday, we had 200 in our Gospel worship service. Following the service, I baptized 11. It is interesting how God is bringing revival to the cradle of civilization through American soldiers and workers from India.” South African Military Chaplain (COL) Addie Burt, sends his greetings to Church of God chaplains around the world. If you are interested in corresponding with Chaplain Burt to get an understanding of how the South African military chaplaincy is structured, you may do so at: addieb@absamail.co.za. Army Chaplain (CPT) Heather Landrus, Korea (near the DMZ), sent this report: “All is going well in Korea. I just completed a spiritual retreat for 24 female soldiers. About half the soldiers who attended had a history of alcoholism or sexual abuse. I am still conducting bi-monthly prayer walks with my soldiers. Our unit Bible study is growing. We have turned a side room of the church into a caf=E9 where we bake goods for the troops. We are getting ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays; and these renovations will serve us well. We are looking forward to a new incoming Church of God Chaplain, (CPT) Clayton Gregory. I know he will have a great ministry here as well. I will be moving soon to the 121st hospital in Seoul, Korea.” Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Roberson, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, recently returned from Iraq. Since returning home, he has been given the opportunity to speak at one of Cleveland’s elementary schools in Tennessee. This school supported him with letters and prayers and was responsible for developing a “Dear American Soldier” letter project. In two 30-minute assemblies, the students in kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade, held a special “Welcome Home” celebration for Chaplain Roberson with flags waving. He told the students that he, prior to becoming a chaplain, had been an elementary school teacher. The kids really liked that! Our congratulations go to Chaplain Roberson for having been awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. His award notes his courageous spirit in providing ministry to soldiers under adverse combat circumstances. Send notes of congratulations and “welcome home” to Jeff and his family at: jeffrey.b.roberson@us.army ..mil Civil Air Patrol Chaplain John Gordy, Cleveland, Tennessee, has been notified that he has been selected as the CAP chaplain for the upcoming Winter Encampment Program, to be held at Fort Benning, Georgia. Cadets attending this program, under the spiritual leadership of Chaplain Gordy, will have the opportunity for worship, moral leadership training and many other special events.

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY REPORTS (Hospital, prisons, industry, campus, etc.):

Hospital Chaplain Dick Talbert, Flagler Hospital, St. Augustine, Florida, reports: “This past week has been a difficult time in our area. Two men were murdered in their homes; one of them, Randy Peacock, was a respiratory therapist at our hospital. Following these incidents, special memorial services were held. Thank God for my chaplaincy training. It has carried me, and our hospital, through some difficult times.” Most of you have been following the progress of Josie, the daughter of Hospital Chaplains Gene and Ruth Bordeaux, New Orleans area. Josie was seriously injured while on her honeymoon. We just received this favorable report from the Bordeauxs: “Thank God, Josie was released from the hospital! She is still having some trouble with a small pulmonary embolism, but her blood levels look good.” Prison Chaplains John and Margaret Threat, Conway, Arkansas, report that their grandson, Tyler, is in dire need of prayer. While the reports are inconclusive, bone marrow cancer is suspected. We are asking our chaplaincy family to keep Tyler in your prayers. Hospice Chaplain Larry Evans, Greenville, Mississippi, reports that in the last month, he has led three of his patients to the Lord. He reports one was a cancer patient with just days to live; another patient is seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Richard Bershon, South Dakota Veterans Home, Hot Springs, South Dakota, recently retired from active chaplaincy service. At his retirement ceremony, he received the Medical for Excellence Award, Presented by Major General Michael Gorman, Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard; and a certificate of appreciation from the South Dakota Veterans’ Home and the Adjutant General. If you would like to send your congratulations to Chaplain Richard and his wife, Beverly, for their 45 years of chaplaincy service in Active and Reserve military, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Veterans Home and the South Dakota National Guard, do so at: moonlite@gwtc.net. (Among Richard’s many accomplishments, he also wrote a history of Church of God chaplaincy ministries, which was published by Pathway Press.) Law Enforcement Chaplain William Howard, Saginaw , Michigan, reports: “Pray for the family of Loretta Beam. She was killed in an automobile accident. Also, pray that our town will find an adequate way to deal with gang problems, resulting in 24 shootings this past year. Pray also for the family of a five-year-old, Joshua, who was the victim of a fatal automobile accident.”

SPECIAL REPORTS:

1. We just received an article, which will appear in a military magazine, featuring the ministry of Chaplain (CPT) Charles Popov, currently assigned with the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. You can read the entire article in a few weeks on the Church of God Faith News Network. However, let me share a small portion of the article: “One of the Brigade chaplains helping our soldiers grieve and cope is Chaplain (CPT) Charles Popov. He holds a degree in counseling, lives and works with the soldiers at Forward Operating Base. Popov states, My main mission here is to care for the wounded, nurture the living and honor the dead. In addition to traditional chaplain services, Popov conducts critical incident stress debriefing to address the complexity of emotions that soldiers experience after a traumatic event. Interestingly, however, Popov explained that sometimes just being around his soldiers is all the comfort they need. We call it the ministry of presence, said Popov. As a chaplain, you do not necessarily need to say anything. You need to show up and be there.”

2. We received a full report from Law Enforcement Chaplain C. L. Brasfield, Charlotte, North Carolina, after a week’s counseling ministry at the Church of God Chalmette, Louisiana, Disaster Ministry Center. Here are a few of Chaplain Brasfield’s reflections: “As an on-site counselor, I ministered primarily to the volunteer workers. I led devotions, visited with them at their worksites and engaged them on many different spiritual subjects. I also had the opportunity to work with law enforcement personnel.”

3. This report comes from Army Chaplain (LTC) Calvin Eastham’s son, Bobby. “I am in Kuwait awaiting my trip north to Baghdad. Things have really changed here since my last deployment. There are three times the facilities, and five times more troops than two years ago. I do not like this in that it implies a longer stay over here…we will see! It has been 105 degrees, but it beats the bitter cold that I experienced in Colorado. I want you to know I am thinking of you; stay in contact with me.” (I know all of you will be praying for Bobby; lovingly, he calls me his “spiritual granddad.)

FINALLY:

Can any of us imagine what it must be like to live in a ghetto where rape, domestic violence and other family crises are the “order of the day?” Or, to be a young soldier, who does not have the years of experience in dealing with crises, going out on that first patrol somewhere in violent Baghdad? Or, to spend that first night in a prison after receiving a life’s sentence? While chaplains, for the most part, come and go in such places, they generally have the luxury of returning to a much more peaceful place called home. Of course, exceptions are our military chaplains who are deployed with the troops to combat. The point is, we deal with individuals whose permanent residences are in the very pit of pain. That is why the Lord identifies Himself with these ‘pits.’ And that is why we must go, as chaplains and other caregivers, to places where the need is severe.

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

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