Church of God Chaplains Commission

CHURCH OF GOD CHAPLAINS COMMISSION

Weekly Update 23 NOV 2006

Thanksgiving Greeting!

Thanksgiving reminds us of many things, including good food, family, friends, those who need a helping hand, our ministries of care and the list goes on and on. As a long-term military chaplain, I still have burned in my heart those Thanksgivings I spent with troops in Germany, Vietnam, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, Washington, DC and many other areas. I know our chaplains will be having their Thanksgiving meal with soldiers, inmates, hospital patients and all those other people who we serve. Our Chaplains Commission staff participated with one of our local churches in a Thanksgiving meal prepared for some 1,000 persons in one of the poorest areas of Cleveland, Tennessee. This effort was coordinated by ministry colleagues, Dr. Jimmy DuPree, Dr. Oliver McMahan and Dr. Ronald Coleman. There were several meal settings; but the difference in this event was that those coming to be fed were seated at a table with beautiful linen cloths and served on china by volunteers within our community. As our Lord taught us, those in need are our “very special” guests. Let us hear from you concerning your Thanksgiving celebrations. Be assured our prayers are for all of our chaplains and their family members. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

Cristy Williams, Colorado Springs, CO, the daughter-in-law of Dr. Doc and Theresa Williams, died Wednesday evening following an extended illness. She was a devout Christian and member of the Colorado Springs Worship Center. She is survived by her husband, Robby, and their 1 1/2 year old daughter, Taylor. The funeral will be this next week. Pray for Doc, Theresa, Robby and a host of other family members and friends. Send you notes of prayer support to the Williams at doccc@bellsouth.net

CHAPLAINCY NEWS AND OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Racetrack Chaplain Rick Mann, Martinsburg, West Virginia, reports: “We were privileged to have Pat Day, the Hall of Fame jockey, for a three-day celebration. One meeting featured ESPN TV commentator, Chris Lincoln, and some of the Washington Redskins. Pat Day shared an unadulterated Gospel message. Several of our civic leaders attended these special events. The attendance ran from 220-250; and, I can say without a doubt, Pat Day preached without compromise. During these sessions, we were able to raise over $7,000 for our ministries. One man, who owns a large hotel in our area, pledged $5,000 a year for this ministry. It is not just about money; we are here to take the Gospel to those who are lost.”

2. Civil Air Patrol Chaplain/Pastor (LTC) Paul Harne, Hagerstown, Maryland, was recently chosen as Maryland Wing Chaplain of the Year. This honor came to Chaplain Harne as a result of his many years of service to the Civil Air Patrol, on a consistent basis, giving moral leadership classes, serving as a mission chaplain for several search and rescue incidents and his outstanding US Air Force evaluations. In addition to being an outstanding CAP Chaplain, Harne is a loving pastor with a great church. We all take this moment to honor one of our longest serving CAP Chaplains; and a genuine supporter of chaplaincy ministries around the world. Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Harne at: aharne1043@aol.com.

3. Veterans Affairs and Army Retired Chaplain Pablo Gonzales, Huntington, WV, reports: “Continue to keep me in your prayers. Like many of my colleagues, I struggle with post traumatic syndrome disorders. I have had several flash-backs and dreams that you might call nightmares. Also, pray for my wife, Mona, who continues to see doctors in order to stabilize her sugar levels. Pray also for my kids, especially Dora, who is completing her medical training. Our son, Pablo, will be taking his Physicians’ Assistant’s exam soon. Our other daughter, Fabiola, also needs prayer. I recently preached a three-day revival at Clinical Chaplain John Corcoran’s church in Miamisburg, Ohio. We had a great time of ministry and fellowship.”

SPONSORING A CHAPLAIN AND HIS/HER UNIT:

If you would like to sponsor support for our chaplains who are serving in Iraq and other critical areas, please contact the Commission immediately. We are in the process of sending numerous resources and goods to our chaplains to be distributed to their troops during the Christmas holidays. Your donation could sponsor the following: 1) Psalm 91 bandanas; 2) Boxes of Little Debbie brownies; 3) Discipleship materials; 4) Other resources as requested by our chaplains. For more information concerning this opportunity of ministry, contact the Commission at Chapcm@bellsouth.net.

SPECIAL REPORTS:

1. When our chaplains request some item or resource in order to aid in their ministries, we do our best to fill that need. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Mickey Jett felt that a large Christmas tree at the entrance of his Brigade Command Headquarters would speak of the prayers and support of our troops by those back home. The tree has already been sent and has arrived! We are happy to report that Mickey’s home church, The Empire, Alabama Church of God, with Senior Pastor Bruce LeVan, is the sponsor for this special project. We believe the tree, along with all the other special ministry events, will make Christmas for Chaplain Jett and his soldiers a blessed event.

2. Army Chaplain (CPT) Steven Cantrell, Fort Benning, Georgia, reported that the unit he served with in Iraq, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was recently awarded the “Meritorious Unit Commendation” for their special assignments in some of the most difficult areas of this present conflict. It should be noted that this unit made an official “combat airborne jump” in the early phases of the conflict. Our own chaplain, Chaplain Cantrell, jumped with this unit. The 173rd is preparing to redeploy to Iraq. Another Church of God Chaplain, Chaplain (CPT) Kelly O’Lear, will most likely deploy with this unit.

3. We continue to get outstanding reports from one of our most effective Community Service chaplaincy teams, Chaplains Andrew and Cherry Landrus, Crab Orchard, Tennessee. Their vast care ministries include the following: Thanksgiving dinner distribution to needy families; monthly food distribution to more than 500 people; an outreach to seniors and children, touching 118 families last month; a back-pack program to provide food for children receiving government assistance; the feeding of underprivileged children (326) at an elementary school; partnership with many other agencies to include Food Bank of Knoxville, Bread of Life Mission, Crises Prevention Center, and the list goes on. Our congratulations to two outstanding chaplains. They just happen to be the parents of Army Chaplain (CPT) Heather Landrus, currently stationed in Korea.

4. Army Chaplain (CPT) Megan Hodge, serving in Iraq, has found a sponsor for two Iraqi teenagers’ softball teams. She notes: “These teens have suffered many disappointments, but are still most enthusiastic about life. I thank the donors who are investing in these young people. The teams know this support is coming from Christians. They will receive uniforms and other softball equipment. They do not have the luxury of playing on nice fields; they must clean out rocks before each game. Last week, I also had the privilege of visiting an orphanage and a monastery in the same town where the teams are located. This happens to be the home town of the Prophet Nahum.”

5. This report comes from Donna Manning, wife of full-time Covenant Transport Chaplain David Manning, Chattanooga, Tennessee: “As you know, Dave, along with others, just returned from a mission’s trip to the Niger Delta. In one service, Dave prayed for over 200 people. While in this destitute area, Dave came down with salmonella. He suffered for nine days with it, but continued to minister. As a result of his illness, he lost 15 pounds, but his faith has increased as a result of this trip to Nigeria and the Cameroons. In addition to Chaplain Manning, David Parker, CEO of Covenant Transport and Dr. Mike Chapman, Pastor of City Church, ministered to more than 1500 pastors and wives, carried ministries to some of the most remote areas and ministered to families who had lost loved ones due to the internal conflict in this area.”

6. Remember in your prayers, CAP Chaplain Vernon Gillenwater, Atlanta, GA. He is scheduled for colon surgery on December 1, 2006.

7. Hospital Chaplain Angelo Betancourt has been recommended for Board Certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains.

FINALLY:

Thanksgiving reminds us of large gatherings; but more significantly, the little things in life. It reminds us to hug every family member, send notes of thanksgiving to those who are in difficult places and to take time to pray. A thankful heart begins at an altar of prayer. It was there, when we were destitute and lost, that the Lord, Jesus Christ, accepted us unconditionally. With a grateful heart, we render to that soldier, patient or inmate the same grace the Lord has given us. That is what Thanksgiving means; and why we take this time to gather together giving God thanks for His unbelievable grace!

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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