Church of God Chaplains Commission

Church of God Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update 03 Dec 2006

Choice Christian greetings!

As most of you know, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a minister to be hired or volunteer in hospitals, prisons, military and other institutions without formal denominational endorsement. Today, with the proliferation of religious groups in America, there are some 250 different faith groups who endorse chaplains to these institutions. Some faith groups support their chaplains well, but some endorse them and then forget them. It is pathetic to travel and talk to chaplains from various faith groups who have not heard from their endorsement office for years. Some years ago, I was asked to testify at the trial of a chaplain being charged with a serious violation. Since he had been one of my CPE students, I was subpoenaed to discuss his activities while a student in our CPE center at Fort Benning, Georgia. As a result of this incident, this chaplain was sent to Fort Leavenworth for one year. Unfortunately, during that time of shame, grief and all the other emotions that come with such an incident, his endorser never contacted him or appeared at the trial. Even though I was subpoenaed to testify on behalf of the prosecutor, I gave pastoral care to this chaplain and seven members of his family. It is one thing to endorse chaplains; it is another thing to support them on a daily basis. I tell my staff that it is our responsibility to never let a day go by without responding to our chaplains’ phone calls, email messages and letters. During this holiday, we are sending out hundreds of packages to our chaplains in Iraq and in other critical areas of ministry. It is our primary task to see that our chaplains remain physically, emotionally and spiritually strong. As in the Old Testament, we are the “Aarons” who hold up the arms of the “Moseses.” Pray for our chaplains, pray for their family members. They deserve our very best support

UPDATE ON THE WILLIAMS’ FAMILY LOSS:

Continue to pray for the Dr. Doc and Theresa Williams Family in the recent death of their 29-year-old daughter-in-law, Cristy. Pray especially for her husband, Robby, son of the Williams; and Tayler, Robby’s 20-month-old child (Doc and Theresa”s grandchild.) Send notes of prayer support to Doc, Theresa, Robby and Tayler at: Doccc@bellsouth.ne

ANNUAL CHAPLAINS COMMISSION CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON:

This week, some 120 guests gathered for our annual Christmas celebration. We were fortunate to have in attendance most of the Executive Committee members and their wives, many departmental leaders and spouses, chaplains from throughout the Chattanooga, Atlanta and Knoxville area and many other colleagues who have contributed to the success of our ministries. Two of our chaplains gave testimonies of their ministries. Prison Chaplain Gary Woody, Chattanooga, Tennessee, told of the hundreds of inmates he has led to the Lord. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Steve Cantrell, a recent returnee from Iraq, gave God praise for His love, grace and protection. Chaplain Cantrell made the only unit combat jump in Iraq while assigned to my old Vietnam Unit, the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Our Executive Committee Liaison, Dr. Timothy Hill, spoke of “Christmas Memories” burned in our hearts. The program concluded with an inspiring message by General Overseer Dr. Dennis McGuire around the theme “Christmas Hope.” Thanks go to our staff and others who made this luncheon a very special holiday event.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS FROM THE FIELD

1) University of Tennessee Chaplain John Unthank reports that during the last month, he and his student workers made 1400 student pastoral contacts; helped distribute thousands of candy bars, hygiene items and other special “care packages” to students; and have had more than 200 students meet on a regular basis for prayer, praise and fellowship.

2) Army Chaplain (MAJ) Joseph Melvin, Baumholder, Germany, reports: “I just returned from teaching a suicide prevention class for 25 students in their Readiness for Deployment to critical theaters, including Iraq. At the end of the ceremony, I presented each one of them a Psalm 91 bandana.”

3) Army Chaplain (MAJ) Mickey Jett, Iraq, reports that he had the privilege of giving a special “Old Testament” briefing to key staff personnel of his brigade. He noted to them that “we are standing just 5 meters from the community where Abraham was raised. He told them when Abraham left Ur, (Genesis 10), he went to Haran; and encouraged them to think about this place in Iraq as being the cradle of our Christian civilization. In regards to his assignment, Chaplain Jett notes: “God has given me special favor with my Command and soldiers. Most of my reasonable recommendations are approved by my Commander, to include: Thanksgiving prayer breakfast, Christmas tree lighting ceremony (the tree donated by my home church in Alabama), holiday worship services and many other events.”

4) The following note comes from Chaplain (LTC) Barry Belton, Civil Air Patrol Vice WING Command Chaplain, concerning Church of God CAP Chaplain (CPT) John Gordy: “Chaplain Gordy was recently named the 2006 Chaplain of the Year for the Tennessee WING at our recent WING Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. He received this high award for his dedicated service to CAP and his selfless work in the New Orleans area. His humanitarian chaplaincy work has been noted on numerous occasions by those he serves with and those he serves.”

5) Army Chaplain (CPT) Chris Wilson, Seoul, Korea, reports: “I have a most unique opportunity here in Korea. During October, 60 of my soldiers and their family members took on a Habitat for Humanity building project. I had participated in similar projects in the U.S., but my Korean assistant and I researched and found a site for this special event. This is one of many events I have been privileged to organize for our “Battalion Good Neighbor” program. We also sponsor an orphanage. I will be delivering 48 Christmas gift boxes to “our kids” at the orphanage on December 15th.”

6) We are asking our chaplaincy family to remember in prayer Prison Chaplain Richard Paul, Silver City, New Mexico. Chaplain Paul has been a long-term, faithful prison chaplain. Recently, he was diagnosed with leukemia. It looks as if he will be applying for disability retirement. But I am asking our chaplains and Commission friends to remember Chaplain Paul in your prayers. We believe in a healing God. Send your notes of prayer support to Chaplain Paul at: silvercitychurchofgod@n etzero.com.

7) Puerto Rican Chaplaincy Coordinator Ishmael Ponce Hernandez just returned from Panama where he conducted a chaplaincy conference. He notes: “I believe we will be able to develop an effective chaplaincy program throughout the Caribbean and our Hispanic areas. While in Panama, I met with Congressman Vladimir Herrera concerning developing an inclusive chaplaincy program for all of their security agencies. This would mean that our Church of God chaplains would be privileged to apply for full-time and volunteer service in these agencies. Keep this project in your prayers.”

We welcome home from Iraq Army Chaplain (CPT) Timothy Staggs. He is now home at Fort Hood, Texas, with his wife, Karen, and their little daughter, Mary. He notes: “This is an exciting and very emotional time, hugging family members and being back home. We were given a few free days, but the unit goes back into “reintegration training” immediately. My special thanks for all the prayers and support from the Chaplains Commission and our chaplaincy family around the world.”

9) Community Service Chaplain Karl Freels, Huntsville, Alabama, reflects on the recent high school bus accident: “Forty-three children in the bus went over the side of the interstate, with four of them losing their lives. As a CSC chaplain, I was immediately called to the hospital. The first family I encountered had lost their teen-aged daughter; tears were almost uncontrollable. I ministered to other families, some waiting for news of the status of their kids. God”s grace and strength was overwhelming. Chaplains and local pastors joined together with open arms to pray for our community. Several kids are still in ICU. This event will always be remembered. On another note, please remember my mom in prayer; she is suffering from lung and bone cancer and needs continuous support.”

10) Pastoral Care Director Dale Ackley, Link Care Foundation, Fresno, California, was recently the keynote speaker for his local police department Officers” Annual Ball. Dr. Ackley also was selected to Chair a very important local community “Citizens” Disaster Planning for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.” This is part of their law enforcement homeland security program.

TAX/DONATION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FULL-TIME CHAPLAINS:

Please note that any monies received after December 13th will not be included in your 2006 tax deduction
records. This is due to the fact that our Commission offices are closed December 16-January 1, 2007. Shortly after January, 2007, you will be receiving from our office a statement of your Fair Share contributions which can be claimed as charitable donations to the Chaplains Commission.

SPECIAL REPORTS:

1) Some years ago, the Commission launched what was called “local church chaplaincy ministry.” Now, hundreds of local church pastors have received our training and have gone back to their churches to implement chaplaincy as a main focus of their ministries. We recently received this report from East Flat Bush Church of God, Senior Pastor Dr. Hugh Nelson, Brooklyn, New York, regarding his chaplaincy ministries: “During October, our church launched our Family Restoration Program in partnership with the New York State Division of Paroles and Corrections. Since visiting Sing Sing Prison earlier this year, I understand the need to build a strong bridge between prisons and local communities. A team of 30 men from our local church serve as mentors for these previously incarcerated individuals. During a special launching ceremony of this program, the Brooklyn District Attorney, Charles Hynes, commented this is the first time in New York that a local church was taking this initiative in the re-entry of ex-offenders. The Borough President and other politicians, along with the executive team of New York State Division of Paroles and representatives from the Division of Corrections were on hand to share in this inaugural event. Additionally, as part of our chaplaincy local church programs, on November 19th, we had a Military Appreciation Service. Soldiers from all three of the branches of the military were represented. Following the service, these soldiers and other guests were served a most delightful meal.”

2) As most of you know, this past year we conducted chaplaincy training in some 35 different locations with hundreds in attendance. This note comes from one who recently took our week-long Community Service Chaplaincy Course, sponsored by the North Georgia State Office. Chaplain Ron Guess states: “This course has given me a whole new vision for my life and ministry. The instructors were superb. I was surprised when the primary instructor, Dr. Doc Williams, contacted me personally by phone to answer some questions I had in regard to my chaplaincy future. I am now a law enforcement chaplain, and I have already been privileged to go on a few ride-along with our local county police department.”

FINALLY:

Some of our most effective full-time chaplains are those who received a “second chance” for life and ministry. Many of these chaplains came from dysfunctional families; others, along the way of their ministries, found themselves at dead-end streets needing a new vision and restoration. In a time of need, their wounds were healed; consequently, they are now effective “wounded healers.” They know what it means to be depressed, stuck in time and burned out. If we were honest, all of us are the recipients of “second chance” grace and healing. Even after being saved and in the ministry, we stumble, stutter and sometimes fall flat on our faces. If not for His grace and forgiveness, we would still be wounded and helpless. God takes our wounds, reconciles and heals them–but never lets the scars disappear. These scars are “marks of integrity” as we deal with those who are in need. Thank God for chaplains and their families!

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert D. Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

Director”s email: cricksot@worldnet.att.net

Office email: Chapcm@bellsouth.net

Website: www.cogchaplains.com

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