Church of God Chaplains Commission

Church of God

Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update           25 Feb 2007

Choice Christian greetings!

The war in Iraq is very personal for many moms and dads, spouses, other relatives and friends.  This week, we received news that one of the survivors from the recent helicopter catastrophe in Afghanistan was a young man who sat on Church of God pews, with Church of God parents, wife and a host of friends.  He is one of a few who survived this terrible tragedy.  This young man’s grandfather is a long-term friend of ours.  He currently serves on the Church of God Seminary Board.  We were able, through our chaplains in the field, to quickly make contact with the young man when he was air evacuated from Iraq to Germany.  Our chaplain on site, Chaplain (MAJ) Joe Melvin, made a bed-side visit to the young man to discover that though seriously injured, he was in good spirits and will survive.  This exciting news was immediately passed to his father, wife and grandparents.  To make this ministry work, there were some 12-15 phone calls and many email messages.  That is what we call “the ministry of coordination.”  Chaplains know how important it is that we reach the right people with the correct message.  While we rejoice with this young ranger and his family for his survival, we realize that many other parents, spouses and loved ones received different news.  Why one survived and another did not is a question that will go unanswered into time.  The only answer that will come to those who survived and those who did not is found in Psalms 23, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”  The Psalmist does not say you will not hurt, grieve or forever have a scar to remind you of the deep loss.  He simply tells us that however our tragedy leaves us, He will be with us and comfort us in our loss and pain.  I know you will be praying for this soldier and all of those our chaplains serve, whether in Iraq, at a bedside in a hospital or in a prison, caring and witnessing to inmates and staff.  Keep our chaplains’ families also in your prayers.  .

RESPONSES FROM LAST WEEK’S UPDATE:

1.      We received many responses of prayer support for Sheena, the daughter of Retired Army Chaplain Randy and Diane Imhoff.  It is as if our entire chaplaincy family has spiritually adopted her as “our daughter.”  Day by day, one step at a time, Sheena and the family moves forward with confidence that God will restore speech, movement of arms and limbs and all the other bodily movements…to hug her three children and her husband, and to once again give all of us that marvelous smile that “God has made it right.”  Continue to pray for Sheena, her parents, her husband, Grant, and their kids.  You may send a message of support to her and Chaplain Imhoff at:  rimhoff@twcny.rr.com.

2.      Many of you responded to the devastating report concerning ministers and ministry in the U.S.  This information came from the Pastoral Mentoring Network

One note came from long-term friend, Presbyterian, Retired Navy Chaplain (CPT) Blant Ferguson.  He states, “I have forwarded these findings to all of my ministerial and chaplaincy friends.  It is amazing that chaplaincy is experiencing an entirely different response to the tensions of ministry today.  This is in spite of the fact that they, even more than pastors, are in critical, life-threatening areas.”

CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1.      Prison Chaplain Robert Dawkins, Troy, North Carolina, has suffered with the devastating results of Lyme’s Disease for many years.  He sent this note concerning a recent situation:  “My life has been blessed by knowing so many people from so many walks of life.  Last week, as I entered the hospital for the 47th time due to my condition, Libby and I once again had to look to the Lord for a quick response.  Our heating system went out, and we had no way to replace it.  One of my volunteers from my days in prison called to check on me.  When we shared our prayer request, before the day was out, he found a Presbyterian church that provided the funds for replacing the heating system.  The Lord is so good.”

2.      Pastoral Counselor and Commission Board Member Gail Lemmert, Cleveland, Tennessee, just returned from the New Orleans area where she spent a week giving free counseling service to victims of Katrina; and consultation and pastoral care for pastors and their families who experienced this catastrophe. 

3.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Joe Melvin, Baumholder, Germany, reports that he and another Church of God Chaplain, Chaplain (CPT) David Hall, are coordinating three days of revival services.  The theme for this revival is “Spiritual Reintegration, Reunion and Renewal.”  Also, Chaplain Melvin reports that Brenda Pace, working internationally with the Protestant Women of the Chapel, and wife of Army Chaplain (COL) Richard Pace, Washington, D.C., was in the Baumholder area for conferences.

4.      Kendra Kuhlman, wife of Army Chaplain (MAJ) Charles Kuhlman, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, sends this note:  “We are settled into our new assignment at Fort Campbell.  Charles is the chaplain for the 1st Brigade, 101 Air Borne; Chaplain (MAJ) Jimmy Nichols, another Church of God Chaplain, is the Brigade Chaplain for another unit.  Chaplain (CPT) Neal Durham, another Church of God Chaplain, is a Battalion Chaplain in our Brigade.  It is neat to be stationed with other Church of God chaplains.”

5.      Puerto Rican Chaplaincy Coordinator Ismael Ponce was recently given the Ministry Award for his chaplaincy development throughout the Caribbean.  The award was presented in a special service by Administrative Bishop of Puerto Rico, Dr. Lldelfonso Carraballo.  In attendance at the ceremony was Field Director for South America, Reverend Victor Pagan, who happens to be the father of U.S. Air Force Chaplain (CPT) Danny Pagan, Warner Robins, Georgia.

6.      Navy Chaplain (LT) Brian Jacobson, Curtis Bay, Maryland, informs us that he uses an email Bible study program to stay in contact with those he led to the Lord in present and previous locations. If you want more information, contact Chaplain Jacobson at:  brian.jacobson@navy.mil.

7.      Clinical Chaplain Thomas Phythian, Falls Church, Virginia, recently received recognition for his team ministry in regards to a dying patient.  The award, presented to Chaplain Phythian and other members of the healing team, read in part:  “A husband of one of our patients reached the difficult decision to withdraw his wife from the ventilator and allow her to die a peaceful death.  This wonderful healing team thoroughly prepared the family for this critical event.  Their supportive and attentive presence through the week of preparation excelled all expectations.”

8.      Every week, we receive from Prison Chaplain Betty Standifer, Silverdale, Tennessee, heart-rending prayer requests from her female inmates who attend a weekly Bible study.  Let me list three of these requests, as a reminder to pray for all our inmates and their family members:  1) Pray for my three-month-old child and my one-year-old toddler who has cerebral palsy; 2) Pray for my husband to get over his addictions; and that the two of us will put Christ back into our marriage; 3) Pray that the Lord will allow me to go home and be with my family.

A FEW SPECIAL REPORTS:

1.  We are blessed in having the volunteer services of Susan Gregory, the wife of Army Chaplain (CPT) Clayton Gregory, who is currently deployed to Korea.  One of Susan’s ministries is that of telephoning spouses whose husbands, like her husband, are on deployment.  One of these spouses noted to Susan, “My husband is halfway through his deployment, and we are so thankful for his safety.  Pray for me that the routine things like taking care of the car, household and kids will continue to go smoothly.  Pray that our three-year-old will get through this one-year absence from his dad with flying colors.”  Anther spouse Susan contacted noted, “My family is so thankful for the grace we have received from the Lord during this deployment.  Recently, when our youngest was ill, my husband, in the middle of the night in Iraq, began to pray for him.  After doing so, he emailed me and asked how our son was getting through his illness.  To God’s glory, our son woke the next morning completely well!”  Our many thanks go to Susan for this on-going ministry.

2.  This week, Dr. Doc Williams and I met with Youth and Christian Education Director Mark Abbott and Alpha and Omega Campus Coordinator, Reverend Mark Swank.  We had the opportunity to review the development of our Campus Chaplaincy and Alpha and Omega Ministries. At the present, we have chaplains on 50 secular colleges and university campuses; we have conducted five campus chaplaincy courses for youth leaders, pastors and laity; and we are getting fabulous reports through our Field Campus Chaplaincy Coordinator, Chaplain John Unthank, as he has set up a network for students and chaplains throughout the U.S.  This network gives students the opportunity to get the type of spiritual support they need to survive liberal education.  We anticipate this ministry will continue to grow; and the entire Church of God will catch the vision to take back our colleges and university campuses for Christ.

FINALLY:

In addition to our outstanding U.S. chaplaincy ministries, we have chaplaincy programs in 69 different countries.  Many of these programs are well established, such as in Romania where we have many trained Community Service Chaplains assigned to prisons, hospitals, orphanages, homeless centers and other critical areas.  Other ministries, such as in Russia, are just getting off the ground.  In a recent chaplaincy course in Moscow, 50 pastors made their way to the one-week course under adverse circumstances.  Those from Siberia had to ride the train, third class, for three days to get to the course.  I know you will continue to pray for our work outside the U.S.  In a few days, I will be attending the South American General Assembly in Uruguay.  This conference will bring pastors and key leaders from 9 different South American countries together for ministry, fellowship, strategy and planning.  We will be there to present to the delegates our plan to see that every country and region within South American has a strong chaplaincy program.  Continue to pray for our 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.cogchapalins.com

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