Church of God Chaplains Commission

 

 

 

Church of God

Chaplains Commission

 

Weekly Update           25 Mar 2007

 

 

Choice Christian greetings!

 

This week has not been without incidents.  Below, you will read the story of a Church of God military chaplain who was wounded in Iraq…  This story will touch your heart, encouraging you to pray for our chaplains and military personnel.  Additionally, you will be notified of many critical prayer needs of chaplains in other areas:  hospitals, prisons, even in shopping centers and on college campuses.  These various reports, sent each week, simply notify you of what a great ministry we are privileged to experience on a daily basis.  Why would someone be so excited about ministering in a Gypsy camp in Romania?  Or, as in the case of Chaplain Wester, endangering one’s life simply to get to a wounded soldier who is probably from some other faith group?  Then, in the case of our prison chaplains, to give undivided passion to inmates who, unfortunately, have been written off by society?  Our chaplains are excited about these acts of ministry to some of the world’s most unloved, unwanted and neglected because of that often quoted, but misunderstood words of our Lord, "As you do it unto the least of these, you do unto me."

 

CHURCH OF GOD CHAPLAIN WOUNDED IN IRAQ:

 

Church of God Army Chaplain (CPT) Barron K. Wester was wounded this week in Baghdad by a sniper.  Chaplain Wester is the first Church of God chaplain ever to be wounded in combat. I talked to Chaplain Wester after he was medically evacuated from Iraq to a military hospital in Germany.  We have also been in contact with his wife, Dawn, assuring her and their two children, Erin and Samuel, that we will give them our undivided support.   Chaplain Wester gives this account of the situation which led to his being wounded:  

 

"Our unit has been in the process of setting up new forward outposts in the heart of Baghdad.  In this new military endeavor, we have already taken casualties.  We knew this is a dangerous but important mission.  In this latest crisis, my chaplain’s assistant and I accompanied our battalion commander to the scene of a forward unit which had been hit, taking several causalities.  .  The Army Chaplaincy Corps motto is, Nurture the Living, Care for the Wounded and Honor the Dead.  I did precisely that.  I knelt close to one of our dead soldiers; praying for his family and all his comrades who were observing the scene. I knew his death would deeply cut to the heart and soul of those back home who loved him.  He was a Catholic soldier; but that made no difference.  He was my brother; and I was his chaplain.  I moved among the other soldiers, praying with them; laying hands on the wounded, asking for God’s mercy and healing.  Suddenly, I felt the bullet that went through my arm, exiting and wounding another soldier sitting near me.  My chaplain’s assistant, to whom I will always be indebted, in the process of taking care of his chaplain, pushed me under the vehicle and literally laid near me so that I would be protected from further sniper fire.  He was willing to take the bullets on my behalf!  A short time later, I was evacuated to a Field Hospital and then transported to Germany.  My battalion and brigade commanders came by with the comforting words, Chaplain, we need you; get well quickly; you were doing exactly what a chaplain is supposed to be doing."

 

The Church of God Chaplains Commission has a tremendous support network of chaplains.  Almost immediately upon arriving in Germany, Army Chaplain (MAJ) Joe Melvin and Army Chaplain (CPT) David Hall, both stationed in Germany, had been alerted by the Commission and were at the bedside of Chaplain Wester.  Chaplain Melvin notes the following:  "When I arrived at the hospital, Chaplain Wester was ministering to PFC Richardson, a soldier from his unit who was injured in the same fire fight.  It was obvious that the soldier, though seriously wounded, greatly respected his chaplain.  Knowing that his chaplain would probably return to Iraq to his unit, PFC Richardson offered a farewell to his chaplain with the words, Chaplain, when you get back down range, take care of yourself and our soldiers.  They really need you, especially now.  They departed with a special bond and appreciation that only those who have experienced the pain, fear and trauma of combat would understand."

 

We will keep you informed concerning Chaplain Wester’s recovery.  Keep him, his soldiers and all of our chaplains and soldiers serving in harm’s way in your prayers.

 

SOUTH AMERICAN CHAPLAINCY REPORT:

 

I had the privilege of conducting a chaplaincy seminar at the recent South American General Assembly to Overseers and other key leaders.  This meeting, which takes place in a different South American city every four years, brings together the leadership of South America for strategic planning, focus on special ministry areas, fellowship and worship.  Dr. Dennis McGuire, General Overseer, was one among many outstanding speakers.  At our chaplaincy conference with these leaders, we were able to lift up chaplaincy as one of those future ministries which will bridge local churches to agencies of their communities.  Reverend Roland Vaughan, International Director of World Missions, made the statement during the conference, "I want every South American pastor to become a chaplain."  He went on to say that, from his perspective, chaplaincy is a new strategy for reaching a hurting world.  He stated, "They will not come to us.  By being trained as a chaplain, whether full time or volunteer, this will enable us to go to them."  At that meeting, we officially appointed Dr. Eric Vasquez as Administrative Coordinator for our South American Chaplaincy; and Chaplain Paul Stockard as Chairman of the South American Chaplaincy Board of Directors and Chaplaincy Training Coordinator.  We already have a vast chaplaincy ministry throughout South America.  Reverend Victor Pagan, South American Field Director, also gave his total support to these chaplaincy endeavors. Incidentally, his son, Danny Pagan, is one of our outstanding Air Force chaplains.

 

REPORT FROM RANDY IMHOFF:

 

Retired Army Chaplain Randy Imhoff, now Pastoral Counselor in Carthage, New York, reports that his daughter, Sheena, who was involved in a devastating automobile accident before Christmas, will be leaving the rehabilitation hospital to continue her recovery at home.  He requests our prayers.  Sheena has a long way to go, and we know this family must be undergirded with prayers and support as they, day by day, nurture Sheena back to a stable and health situation. Send your notes of prayer support to the Imhoff at: pastoralcounselingcenterofnny@verizon.net

 

OTHER CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

 

1.      Chaplain Lucius Edmondson, President and Founder of the Team Jesus Ministries, Incorporated, reports:  "Team Jesus Ministries, Inc. is made up of 80 ministries, mostly in the area of evangelism.  Many of these ministries are found in jails and clinical centers.  Last year, through Team Jesus Ministries, 10,000 came to the Lord."

2.      Disaster Response and CAP Chaplain John Gordy, Cleveland, Tennessee, reports:  "In addition to my other ministries, I serve as a Cleveland police department Chaplain.  One of our deputies, Larry Ingle, passed away a week ago.  I represented our police department at the funeral.  Also, I had the privilege of being the "mission chaplain" for a recent CAP/USAF search and rescue exercise held last weekend.  On a personal note, pray for my dad, George Gordy.  His kidney function is at 18%; he has congestive heart failure and breathing problems."

3.      Those who watch the most popular TV program, American Idol, will find it interesting that one of the 10 remaining performers is the son of clinical Chaplain Gary Stacey, Smyrna, Tennessee.  Phil, Chaplain Stacey’s son, comes from a long line of Church of God ministers.  He is the grandson of two Church of God pastors, and the son of a Church of God chaplain/pastor.  His father-in-law is a Pentecostal pastor in Oklahoma.  Phil has been a featured soloist for three of the last four General Assemblies.  He has been a featured soloist also at a number of Winterfest activities.  He served as president and student director of the Lee Singers, and his wife served as president when he was student director.  Phil has been serving in the U.S. Navy for the past 3 BD years where he is a featured vocal soloist for the Navy.  He has served as minister of music in local churches.  Throughout the American Idol competition, he has been a powerful influence backstage, joining others in prayer.  You can send your notes of congratulations to Phil and to Chaplain Stacey and his family at:  gkstacey@comcast.net.

4.      Chaplain Sedika Fushekati, Albania, reports:  "Thank God for our chaplaincy training in Albania.  As a result of this training, we now have chaplains in several prisons.  We are in the process of planning a big evangelistic campaign for two of our prisons this summer."

5.      Air Force Chaplain Gabriel Rios and his wife, Marilyn, San Antonio, Texas, were just notified that their son, David, has been officially accepted in the Air Force Academy.  They state, "It is his dream that has come true!"  Send your notes of congratulations to the Rios Family at redrios@yahoo.com

6.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Steven Cantrell, Fort Benning, Georgia, will be officially promoted to Major on Friday, March 30.  Chaplain Cantrell, who served with the 173rd Airborne in Iraq, is in many ways the chaplain repeating my own Army chaplaincy journey.  I served with the 173rd in Vietnam, just a few years ago; and Chaplain Cantrell also served with the 173rd, with the distinction of making the only combat jump of a Church of God chaplain in Iraq.  Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Cantrell at:  steven.cantrell@us.army.mil.

7.      Law Enforcement Chaplain Doug Hardy, Carrollton, Georgia, reports:  "As you know, I am having serious heart problems.  The first Echo test suggested my heart functions between 30-35%.  The standard for the placement of a defibrillator is less than 35%.  This is not the news I wanted to hear.  I still believe God for my healing."  Send your prayer support notes to Chaplain Hardy at:  dhardy@westcentraltech.edu

8.      We are asking our chaplaincy family to pray for Dr. Tom Grassano’s dad, who recently underwent surgery.  Dr. Grassano states:   "After an MRI, the doctors did a biopsy on a tumor near the ear at the top of Dad’s neck and jaw.  The doctors believe it to be malignant.  If it is malignant, it is aggressive and the operation would require dissecting part of the base of the skull, a serious procedure."  I know you will be praying for Brother Grassano, former State Overseer, pastor, mission’s director.  I met the Grassano family in 1967 when I came back from Vietnam to attend the U.S. Army Chaplains School in Brooklyn, New York.  I found this family to be one of the most uniquely compassionate and dedicated Christian families I had ever encountered.  I was personal friends with Brother Grassano’s mom; and, of course, Dr. Thomas Grassano’s grandmother.   Keep this family, especially Reverend Thomas Grassano Sr, in your prayers.

9.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Thomas Lesh, Fountain, Colorado, reports:  "We just finished a great prayer breakfast whereby my outgoing brigade commander shared his own personal testimony."

10.  Prison Chaplain James Stogner, Ely, Nevada, sends this report:  "Continue to pray for our oldest son, James, III.  The Lord has been healing and restoring my relationship with him.  God has been in the process of giving me my son back over the last six months.  James testified in the church where I pastor how in a special youth service, Jesus touched him in a special way.  Also, pray for my inmates.  I used to have about 4-5 death notifications a month; since December, I have been having that many in a week.  There are days when I really don’t want to have to tell another one of my inmates that his parent or some other loved one has passed away."

11.  Clinical Chaplain John Corcoran, Kettering, Ohio, this week notified us that his youngest sister, aged 46, passed away.  I know you will be praying for Chaplain Corcoran and his family.

12.  Army Chaplain Candidate Danny Claypoole, Cleveland, Tennessee, was notified by the Army Chief of Chaplains Office that he has been accepted for active duty.  Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Claypoole at: d_claypoole@hotmail.com

 

FINALLY:

 

One of our greatest supporters is Reverend Bobby Collins, long-term pastor of the World Outreach Worship Center, Newport News, Virginia.  His wife of many years, Dot, passed away this week.  This beautiful couple have loved people "outside the gates" their entire ministry.  Brother Collins spent many years as an Army officer in the Reserve; serving faithfully, retiring with dignity and honors.  But his heart has been poured into the World Outreach Worship Center.  He and Dot built an international church that has reached out in most unusual ways to Jews, the military, those in jails and prisons and the list goes on.  They have truly been "chaplains at heart."  They loved people unconditionally; there is not a need "out there" that they do not feel a compulsion to fulfill.  There are times I feel so unworthy of being in their presence and being loved and trusted by individuals of this caliber.  Dot is Bobby’s special love.  I know you will be praying for this family; knowing each of us will some day walk this same path. 

 

A young soldier once painted a picture for me; it depicted this life and the after-life.  But there was a deep chasm between these two radically different postures for the Christian.  However, he had painted a bridge, shaped in the form of a cross, enabling the weary traveler to get from here to there.  That is the hope of us all; through Jesus Christ, that awesome journey will be one of peace, grace and eternal security.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Robert D. Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

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

Office email:  Chapcm@bellsouth.net

Website:  www.cogchaplains.com

 

RDC/via