Church of God Chaplains Commission

Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update 19 Jan 2007

Choice Christian greetings!

This week, I had the privilege of giving a keynote address to 70 pastoral care personnel who, at the state level, coordinate the Spirit Care ministries programs (retired ministers and their families) and Ministerial Care (ministers who have need for care intervention). At the National level, Spirit Care is directed by Dr. Gene Rice, and Ministerial Care is directed by Dr. Bill Leonard. These are strong partners within the Division of Care. Quoting from George Barna, religious researcher, I noted that we must develop good care programs even when our denominations and world are in crisis. Referencing Jeremiah 29, the Prophet encouraged the children of Israel, who had been taken into captivity, not to lose heart; but to take care of their families under the most adverse possible conditions. It would be like giving hospital care in a combat zone…the old MASH units (Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals). These were hospitals very close to the front lines, carrying out some of the most delicate and critical medical care known to man. The Doctors, so close to the front line that they carried weapons, were expected to take care of the wounded and dying even though their own lives were in danger. Is not that the very nature of most of our chaplaincy ministries? We provide care within larger systems that are often dysfunctional and dangerous. In the middle of crises, we are expected to give the hurting our best professional touch. We cannot excuse ourselves by saying we do not have the right instruments; or we are forced to operate by candlelight and without adequate equipment. Instead, in the thick of the battle, often in a place like Baghdad with the dangers of roadside bombings, powerful sermons are preached, quality counseling given and baptisms performed. The wounded and dying, wherever they are, deserve the very best; even if it puts us in precarious places. Thank God for Church of God chaplains…often themselves the walking wounded; but never losing the passion and commitment to go to those who need the healing touch of Christ.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY REPORTS:

1. Veterans Affairs Chaplain Thomas Mills, Mountain Home, Tennessee, who ministers to our Veterans of many wars, reports: “Psalm 91 bandanas are very special to our military Veterans. In early December, I had a Veteran join our nursing home. He was a 54 year-old, with 22 years in the Army. He served faithfully in several conflicts. When he left the Service, he struggled with extreme bouts of PTSD, reliving combat images of death and dying. He alienating his family and those he loved most. A few months ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and ended up on our nursing ward. He had a strong faith in God and wanted desperately to share it with others. He was able, during his last days, to rekindle some of his family connections with his children. When he saw some of the other Veterans with the Psalm 91 bandanas, he asked for one. When I gave it to him, he began to weep, weakly stood with some assistance, raised his arms as high as his body would allow and began to praise the Lord. On December 31, he breathed his last breath. Prior to dying, one of his requests was that he would be buried at our National Cemetery here at Mountain Homes with full military honors and with his bandana centered over his heart. I told his story at his home church, and now we can rejoice that for this Veteran, the war is over.”

2. Army (Retired) Chaplain Randy Imhoff, Carthage, New York, sends us his latest report on Sheena, his daughter who was critically injured in a car accident: “Sheena is out of ICU, and is now experiencing what one of the nurses call ICU withdraw. She has been in ICU since December 11; and we all developed unique friendships with the staff. They are professional, compassionate care givers in every sense of the word. Your prayers are still needed. Sheena will be going through extensive rehabilitation and we will discover the graveness of the damage. Our prayers for her are 1) that her optic nerves heal and turn pink to restore sight; 2) that she respond with movements on command (squeezing of hands, wiggling of toes, etc.); 3) that her transfer to a rehabilitation center will be a successful process. Continue to pray for Grant, Sheena’s husband, who is doing a great job caring for the boys and all the other details that come with this challenge.”

3. Army Chaplain Candidate (LT) Patricia Nichols, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, reports: “I am currently at the Chaplains Officer Basic Course, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I just finished the gas chamber experience. I ran two miles in 19:54 minutes, which is better than passing. I am hoping to get it to 18 minutes before I leave. I will return to the Seminary this spring to complete my last requirements.” (As most of you know, Patricia’s husband is also one of our chaplains, Army Chaplain (MAJ) Jimmy Nichols.)

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY (prison, hospital, industry, campus, etc.):

1. Prison Chaplain Dr. Betty Standifer, Cleveland, Tennessee, reports that she has 27 female inmates in her new Bible study group. She comments: “It is interesting to me how many of these women have children at home, and how many of them are grandmothers. Following our recent Bible study session, one inmate gave her heart to the Lord. Let me share a few of the prayer requests that came from our last session: 1) for my husband and kids, and that I can go home soon; 2) that God will put a hedge around my family while I am serving this sentence; 3) that I will stop beating up on myself; 4) that my family will get off drugs.”

2. Correctional Chaplain Daniel Wessell, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, writes: “I am celebrating with my wife, Cheryl, her graduation with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling; and she passed her National Counseling exam. Also, I am glad to report we had great Christmas services in my institution. The largest, sponsored by local churches, had an attendance of over 700 inmates, 85% of the population of this facility. We had Christmas Eve services and communion, Christmas Day services; but most importantly, three inmates accepted the Lord.”

3. Prison Chaplain Coordinator Jackie Smith, Gloucester, Virginia, informs us that he recently trained 54 persons in a local church chaplaincy program. He states that those who completed the course have reported 15 inmates saved, 39 rededications, 136 hospital visits, 36 nursing home worship services and over 100 incarcerated juveniles in worship. Chaplain Smith feels that local church chaplaincy could be the means to revitalizing many of our churches.

4. Chaplain Betty Louann Moore, Fieldale, Virginia, is the Director of the Moore Ministries, Incorporated. In a recent report, she tells of the thousands of dollars raised in support of ministries in the Philippines. She cites a “grateful blind pastor” who sent a note of thanks for the 50 pound bag of rice which enabled him to feed his family. If you would like more information concerning Moore Ministries, Incorporated, contact Chaplain Moore at: revlou3@yahoo.com.

5. Chaplain Rick Mann, Senior Chaplain at the Martinsburg, West Virginia, Racetrack, sends this inspiring note: “We need your prayers as we put together a plan for expanding our building space. We will share the building and provide social needs and group sessions, as well as worship time for Catholics and Protestants. The Catholic Bishop of West Virginia is working on our behalf. It is a unique situation as this Franciscan prays with us consistently. Currently, there are more than 30 in our drug and alcohol program. Let me share with you the story of one of our old jockeys, who recently died. Prior to his death, he made me promise to help his grandson. The young man is learning how to handle a checkbook; and even though he only has an eighth-grade education, he is picking up on many of life’s new challenges. The Lord has touched him and provided a job for him. His distant father now has a relationship with him; and I know more good things are yet to happen. The Lord has shown me in Philippians 4:13 that if a job needs to be done, He will help us complete it on time.”

6. Chaplain Jim Thomas, Susanville, California, is now a full-time chaplain at the Bureau of Prisons in that area. He began full-time duties December 11th, and will be doing extensive training the next few weeks. If you would like to send a note of congratulations to Jim and Amy, do so at: revjet3@netzero.com.

7. Clinical Chaplain Joseph Schuck, Lanett, Alabama, reports: “Our State Administrative Bishop, Reverend Larry Timmerman, has appointed a State Chaplaincy Committee. This is certainly a first for Alabama. Serving on the committee are the following: Chaplain Bruce LeVan, Chairman; Chaplain Joe Schuck; Chaplain Joey Turman; Chaplain Roger Daniel and Chaplain Tom Moran. We believe God will greatly expand our chaplaincy ministries in Alabama. On April 21 in Birmingham, we will be hosting a Basic Community Service Chaplains Course and a specialized course on Domestic Violence. In October, we will be conducting an additional Basic CSC Course in Mobile.

FINALLY:

As you know, these Updates are filled with testimonies of our chaplains’ work, lives and sometimes their personal pain and encounters. Mental Hospital Chaplain Dennis DuPont, Odenton, Maryland, in his testimony states, “As you know, my institution has experienced much pain and =

heartache. But I want to report another near tragedy that turned out to be a New Year miracle. On my way back from Christmas vacation, I learned that one of our nurses had a massive heart attack. She was in her middle 30s. I thought to myself, How can we deal with another crisis of this magnitude? I had prayer with those on her unit. The miracle began with the fact that she was a nurse who had emigrated from Nigeria several years ago. It turned out that my Catholic Chaplain, who is also Nigerian, had previously visited with her and discovered she was from his Nigerian tribe and spoke the same language dialect. He was able to comfort family members in their own language…how providential! Three days after Christmas, I learned that the nurse could communicate with one finger, then another. They thought she would have permanent brain damage. Each day, she made progress. Following New Years, I received an even more exciting report. I remember uttering under my breath to God after our community prayer weeks earlier: God, enough is enough, we could really use a miracle here!

I reported my prayers and my interaction with our Nursing Director and my Supervisor. My Supervisor, who is Jewish, reminded me that sometimes, like Jacob, we have been wounded as a community in the darkness of our wrestling, and God has chosen to bless one of our nurses to bless all of us. I commented to one of our friends, Isn’t it strange that this Pentecostal chaplain, sitting in one of the most difficult places of human suffering, has been allowed to participate and witness the miracle of God’s power among the most vulnerable of His people! ”

You can sense in Chaplain DuPont, as in all of our chaplains, the compassion, care and excitement in seeing “the least of these” touched deeply by Almighty God. Some ministers get excited about a conference of 10,000; some when a multimillion dollar building is dedicated. Our chaplains are different; they get touched the deepest and most passionately when someone, as in the case reported by Chaplain DuPont, receives a personal intervention by a loving and healing God. Pray for our chaplains and their family members.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert D. Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

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

Office email: Chapcm@bellsouth.net

Website: www.cogchapalins.com

RDC/vja