Church of God Chaplains Commission

CHURCH OF GOD CHAPLAINS COMMISSION

Weekly Update 19 NOV 2006

Choice Christian greetings!

This past week at the Seminary, we celebrated “Chaplains’ Week.” In the Tuesday chapel worship service, we were privileged to have Dr. Donnie Smith, Care Division Director, as our speaker. On Thursday, Chaplain (LTC) Charles Perry, who recently returned from Iraq, reminded us of the special nature of a chaplain’s call and ministry. At our Commission luncheon, the Honorable Mayor of Cleveland, Tom Rowland, presented certificates of appreciation to three chaplains who just returned from deployments to Iraq. They are, Air Force Chaplain (LTC) Charles Perry and Army Chaplains (CPT) Neal Durham and (MAJ) Jimmy Nichols. Mayor Rowland, a retired National Guard Infantry Colonel, summed up the special events with the words, “Our nation often sends our sons and daughters to combat areas; but also sends men and women of God to ensure that the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ is proclaimed.” Dr. Steven Land, President of the Church of God Theological Seminary, and other leaders, lifted up prayers and commendations for all of our chaplains serving around the world in 68 different countries. As far as we are concerned, every week is “chaplains’ week.” Daily, we get fabulous reports of your ministries; whether in Iraq, on the backside of a racetrack, in shopping centers, prisons, hospitals, college campuses and so many other places where the need is deep and wide.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1. Army Chaplain (CPT) Dasha Somaratna, currently in Iraq, sends this note. “I finally arrived at my new duty station in Iraq. I will be taking over from a fellow Church of God Chaplain, Chaplain (CPT) Tim Staggs. It is significant that he replaced another Church of God Chaplain, Chaplain (CPT) David Hall. It is amazing! This area, for the past three years, has been pastored by Church of God Chaplains! Keep me and my ministries in your prayers.”

2. Army Chaplain (LTC) Calvin Eastham, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas has a son, Robert, serving in Iraq. This is Robert’s second deployment to Iraq. If you would like to send a note of encouragement and prayer support to Robert, do so at: Eastham31r@yahoo.com.

3. Army Chaplaincy Candidate Luis Figueroa, Wilmington, Delaware sends this testimony: “I am currently working at a hospital that has 1100 beds. Additionally, I continue to work with Veterans and families who have sons and daughters in combat zones. I was recently asked to deploy as a chaplain for the Billy Graham Association Rapid Response Disaster Team. I am also anticipating the first phase of my chaplaincy candidate training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Keep me and my ministries in your prayers.”

INTERNATIONAL CHAPLAINCY REPORTS:

1. Puerto Rico/Caribbean Chaplaincy Coordinator, Chaplain Ismael Ponce Hernandez, reports that he has been made a member of the Puerto Rican National Board of National Chaplains. This board will govern full-time and volunteer chaplains in Puerto Rico. The board consists of six members; two of them Church of God, Chaplain Ponce and Chaplain Diago Willmore. Chaplain Ponce also informed us that towards the end of this month he will be traveling to Panama to conduct a chaplaincy seminar.

2. Ireland Prison Chaplain John Walsh spent one week in Gulfport, Mississippi as a part of our chaplaincy disaster relief team. He reports: “My commendations go to the Gulfport local pastor, Reverend Tim Fulmer, for his outstanding ministry to families affected by the hurricanes. I was able to participate in the food distribution efforts. I was so impressed by the way the community worked together in sharing food and clothes to those in need. It was heart-breaking to hear the stories of how people’s homes had been washed away by a 40-foot-high wave. I was struck by the fact that insurance companies are disputing claims; and to meet many people who had no flood insurance at all.”

3. From Bulgaria, we have received reports that a number of chaplaincy groups come under the fellowship of “The Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association.” This Association is officially recognized by the Bulgarian Government. There is a move in Bulgaria to place chaplains in the military, hospitals and prisons. Chaplaincy courses are being taught at several of our Evangelical and Pentecostal educational institutions. Through the efforts of many, camouflage New Testaments have been provided to Bulgarian military personnel.

TITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY REPORTS (hospitals, prisons, campus, industry, etc.):

1. Dr. Jake Popejoy, our Field Training Coordinator, reports that Church of God of Prophecy Chaplain Don Yancey, who is very close to our Commission and ministry, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I know you will be lifting up Chaplain Yancey in your prayers.

2. Mental Health Chaplain Dennis DuPont, Catonsville, Maryland, reports that one of their hospital staff, a 39-year-old man, was killed when he tried to break up a fight between two male patients. It has been the responsibility of Chaplain DuPont to work with staff and family members in processing this very emotional and painful incident. Chaplain DuPont reports: “We have already established several debriefing teams. This, undoubtedly, is one of the most painful events we have ever had. We covet your prayers.”

3. Hospital Chaplain Henry Thomas, Mobile, Alabama, sends this note concerning his new appointment: “I am only in my second day at my new hospital assignment. Since coming here, I have learned that many see Mobile, Alabama, spiritually as a “city of refuge.” It certainly seems that way for me. I am so blessed to be in a caring facility that values chaplaincy ministry.”

4. Hospital Chaplain Richard Gilbert, Vancouver, Washington, reports: “Thank you for your prayers for my daughter, Julie. I also covet your prayers for my brother who needs the Lord. These past few months, I have been teaching on an interdisciplinary team for what we call spiritual initiatives, a program I helped develop. I am also honored to be able to minister at our hospital’s intensive care unit. This is a special need and calling.”

COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAPLAINCY:

1. Prison Chaplaincy Coordinator Michael Denney, Chillicothe, Ohio, reports that he taught a six-week jail and prison training course.

2. University Chaplain Athol Smith, Farmingdale, New York, who serves as chaplain to the Stony Brook College, shared this response from one of the students touched by his ministry: “I have had a lot of problems in my life, getting more depressed every day. I cry out to God, wondering why all these things are happening to me. Even though I sometimes feel God is not present, I know I need Him.He is good and powerful, and He will bless me.” This, among many other reasons, is why the Church of God Chaplains Commission has partnered with the International Youth and Christian Education Department to establish an active and effective campus ministry program. Today, we are on some 30 different secular universities; and this week, we will be conducting another Campus Ministries Course in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

3. Law Enforcement Chaplain Ronald Countryman, Big Timber, Montana, reports that last week, one of their county deputies died when his vehicle rolled over while responding to help another officer. He reports that this officer leaves a wife and two small children, who desperately need our prayers. Chaplain Countryman also requests prayer for the family of a 35-year-old man who took his life. Chaplain Countryman spent several hours on the scene with the family and friends of the victim.

4. Community Service Chaplain Judy Ramsey, Oxford, Ohio, was recently awarded the 2006 Volunteer of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She was cited for her work as a “self-help group leader, MS Walk committee member and MS 150 Bike Rider volunteer.” She received a trophy at the annual meeting on October 24, 2006.

5. One of our unique Community Service Chaplain ministries is led by Boy and Girl Scout Chaplain Ken Golden, Leonard, Minnesota. Chaplain Golden sent me a list of some 75 scouts who have recently given their lives to the Lord. This God and Country program is provided by the Scouts on a volunteer basis and includes religious training.

6. Law Enforcement Chaplain Sam Saylor, Bismarck, North Dakota, reports: “As Chairman of the Bismarck Law Enforcement Board, we were recently the recipients of two grants; one from Volunteers of America for $8,000, and a faith-initiative grant in cooperation with North Dakota Council of Abused Women for $26,000. These grants will allow us to conduct more effective training for all of our chaplains.” (Chaplain Saylor recently received a letter of commendation from the Bismarck Chief of Police for his assistance with a family after an attempted suicide.)

FINALLY:

I want to take this opportunity to personally name ACPE Supervisor Dean Luther as our “Chaplain of the Week.” Dean was certified this past week as a Full CPE Supervisor at the annual ACPE Conference. Dean’s ministry and training journey speaks of the hard work of one who never gives up. As a student at the Seminary, he cut meat at a local grocery store in order to provide funds for his education and his family. He did not have the privilege of carrying a full load; therefore, it took many years to complete his Master of Divinity program. He pastored churches, took part-time jobs and spent several years in Pennsylvania as a hospital chaplain and supervisor in training. I have been personally blessed and encouraged by, not only his hard work, but his clinical gifts, his dedication to the local church and the completion of this long and significant certification process. Dean, like most of us, was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. It has been a long journey with highs and lows, but tenacity and faith have paid good ministry dividends. His story parallels hundreds of other chaplains’ stories, who felt the call; and though the challenge was great, never gave up.

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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