Church of God Chaplains Commission

Church of God

Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update           28 Jan 2007

Choice Christian greetings!

Chaplains, whether in prisons, hospitals, military or some other institution, know that a single pastoral care issue has multiple-dimensional meaning.  Military chaplains, for example, when dealing with a soldier who is talking of going AWOL, begins immediately to ask himself/herself the question, “What is there about this unit that would cause one to think about taking such drastic measures.”  Or, a clinical chaplain, dealing with a difficult patient medical situation, always looks at the larger picture; the doctor who does the surgery, the nurses who give around-the-clock care, and, in the case of medical economics, the cost of such procedures.  You cannot separate patient care from those that have limited health care insurance policies, or, in the case of 40+ million Americans, no insurance coverage at all.  Having said this, we know that, in dealing with our painful ordeals, God is always teaching us that there are “larger issues to be learned through this process.”  That is certainly the case of Army (Retired) and Clinical Chaplain Randy Imhoff, as his family deals with their daughter, Sheena, who experienced a tragic automobile accident.  She has now been moved from ICU to a rehabilitation center.  In his latest report, Chaplain Imhoff tells us she is making groaning sounds, slight movements with the squeezing of her hand and other signs of possible recovery.  This family, Randy and his wife, Darlene, along with Sheena’s husband, Grant, sit at the bedside day in and day out, giving focus to Sheena, but realizing God is teaching them many larger lessons in life.  One of those comes from Chaplain Imhoff’s recent report where he states:  “Talitha Koum! (Mark 5:41) The Lord spoke to me today and told me these words are not just for Sheena; they are for our entire Church.  God is calling the Church to arise and eat from His table and be the people of God He intends us to be.  He wants us to be a people so full of faith that others can sense it by just walking into the room.  He wants us to be a people that have signs following us; a people that are distinguishable from the world by their lives of righteousness, holiness, love and compassion for the lost and hurting.”  Chaplain Imhoff goes on to quote from Isaiah 61:  “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me…”  In previous correspondence with Chaplain Imhoff, we have agreed that Sheena represents all of our sons and daughters.  She reminds us of our “children” with medical handicaps, those away from the Church, those looking to us to give them hope and a future.  Chaplains deal with specific patients, inmates and soldiers; but they always point us to the bigger issue.  We hope the Church would allow itself to be universally impacted by these individual stories of suffering, pain, struggle and sometimes death.  May God let us all see “His” bigger picture; and in seeing it, maybe, like our Lord, we will all begin to weep over Jerusalem and all the other places where people are confined, live and are in pain.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY SCHEDULE:

1.      This week, January 22-26, Dr. Jake Popejoy is conducting a Community Service Chaplains Course at the Westgate Chapel, Seattle, Washington.

2.      Friday, January 26, Air Force Reserve Chaplain (COL) Ridley Usherwood officially retired from Air Force service at Boling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.  (See special note below.)

3.      Sunday, January 28, Chaplains Commission Board Member Reverend W. D. Watkins, Senior Pastor of the Stratford Heights Church of God in Middletown, Ohio, will be hosting Dr. Radu Tirle, who is our Romanian Chaplaincy Coordinator and a Romanian National Senator, along with other Senators and Romanian VIPs.  This church has raised almost $300,000 for our Medical/Chaplaincy Center in Oradea, Romania.

4.      February 1-3, a Community Service Chaplaincy Basic Course will be conducted for ministers and laity of the East Central Hispanic Region.

5.      February 15-17, a Community Service Chaplaincy Basic Course will be conducted on the Florida campground.  We expect more than 50 for this course.

6.      February 23-24, a special “Training the Trainer” Conference (by invitation only) will be held at the Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee.

If you are interested in additional information concerning our full schedule, visit our website at www.cogchaplains.com.

RETIREMENT OF AIR FORCE RESERVE CHAPLAIN (COL) RIDLEY USHERWOOD:

In formal ceremony, on Friday, January 26, Air Force Reserve Chaplain (COL) Ridley Usherwood retired after 30 years of military service.  He received many accolades, commendations and awards.  Chaplain Usherwood began his chaplaincy journey with dignity, and finished it in the same manner.  He loved the Air Force chaplaincy, and especially the personnel of our military services.  In addition to his many assignments, he was selected to teach for a number of years at the Air Force Chaplains School Center.  During this tenure as an instructor, the Center was under the directorship of another one of our outstanding Air Force Chaplains, Retired Chaplain (COL) Ben Perez.  Chaplain Usherwood and his wife, Beverly, along with their family, have had a phenomenal ministry career.  Let me list only a few of the outstanding assignments of this unique church leader.  In addition to his years as a Reserve Air Force Chaplain, he served as President of Overstone College, Northampton, England; pastor in the Washington, D.C. area; Professor at Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary; many Boards and Committees; and more recently as one of the Executive Ministry Leaders at InterVarsity, Inc.  He has been an exemplary leader in helping the Church understand and accept that all of God’s people are equal; and that when we practice otherwise, we are the losers.  Our sincere congratulations go to Ridley and Beverly, their kids and grandkids. Dr. Jerry McNabb, Assistant Director of the Commission, attended the retirement. We send our congratulations on behalf of the Church of God Chaplaincy family around the world.

OTHER CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1.      Air Force Chaplain (CPT) Jonathan Hurt, Okinawa, Japan, reports:  “Pray for Sergeant Major Cooper, who is the superintendent of our Life Skills Section at Kadina.  He was recently diagnosed with cancer.  As most of you know, Amy and I will be moving this summer from Okinawa.  Amy only recently returned from a two-week medical mission’s trip to Cambodia.  We recently hosted twelve Japanese Junior High kids from a nearby island to be with our youth group.  We gave them gifts for Christmas, shared the Christmas story and had a great time together.  We had a wonderful Christmas morning breakfast, and gave gifts to about 30 single Airmen.  We hosted 60 people for a New Year’s Eve party after church.  God has really blessed our island, especially after the Franklin Graham Festival we had in November.  During that Festival, 2000 people made decisions to follow Christ.”

2.      Motorcycle Chaplain Becky Troke, England, is currently in the hospital with serious heart problems.  I am asking all of you to pray for Chaplain Troke, her motorcycle group and all those she so faithfully serves.

3.      Black Horse Brigade Chaplain Peter Shoars, Fredericksburg, Virginia, sends this report:  “The Black Horse Brigade is a Virginia Military Support Unit to our Active and Reserve Forces.  I serve them as Chaplain.  Recently, I had the opportunity to give spiritual services to National Guard Units that are being deployed to combat areas.  We are allowed to minister to the soldiers and their families until the soldiers depart on buses.  On one occasion, I laid hands on each bus; but then, the Virginia National Guard Brigadier General asked me what I was doing.  When I answered, he said That’s not enough!  He requested I enter each bus and lay hands on and pray for each seat on the bus.  I did so without hesitation.  I count it an honor to be able to assist in such a vital ministry.”

4.      Law Enforcement Chaplain Mitch McClure, pastor of the Middle Valley Church of God, Hixson, Tennessee, has informed us that on Sunday, February 4th, his church will host a Super Bowl spiritual event.  Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, a volunteer service that watches after 26,000 citizens in their region. 

5.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Dan Kinjorski, Copperas Cove, Texas, was recently promoted to his current rank of Major and will be going to Fort Hood this April for a year in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Kinjorski at Daniel.kinjorshi@us.army.mil.

6.      Retired Air Force Chaplain John Secret, Palm Bay, Florida, recently had an angioplasty with a stint placed in one area.  Continue to keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

FINALLY:

The Church of God Chaplains Commission ministries can now be found in 68 different countries, representing 38 different types of agencies.  This, of course, includes military, hospitals, prisons, etc.  Some of our unique ministries are found in shopping centers, airports, railroad stations, racetracks and other such places.  One of our newest ministries is that of the Alpha & Omega Campus Ministries; a joint project with the International Youth and Christian Education department.  This ministry is coordinated by University of Tennessee Chaplain John Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee.  He believes, as all of us do, that the Lord would have us take back our campuses where the liberal agenda runs freely.  Since this ministry began, Chaplain Unthank receives many notes from students of how much prayer is appreciated as they struggle in the middle of this bastion of liberalism.  One student wrote:  “We are so thankful for our Church of God Chaplain on this large South Carolina University campus.  He brings hope!  He has a solid faith!  He has been especially good at relating to our international students.”  By way of internet, the Alpha & Omega website and these personal notes to Chaplain Unthank and other campus leaders, students now express the fact that they are no longer “alone.”  I know you will be praying for this new ministry, now on some 50 secular universities and campuses throughout the U.S.  Pray for all of our chaplains around the world, 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.cogchapalins.com

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