Church of God Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update 26 August 2007

Choice Christian greetings!
The Church of God Chaplains Commission has a special ministry area that covers disasters and other compassionate response ministries. This area is coordinated by Reverend Tom Offutt, who has been a full-time staff member for approximately one year. Additionally, Brother Offutt is completing his Masters of Divinity Degree at the Seminary. Prior to becoming our Coordinator of Disaster and Compassion Ministries, Tom and Elaine were the outreach pastors at the Winchester, Virginia Church of God, with Senior Pastor, Dr. Darrell Waller; who, like Tom, is a long-term member of the Chaplains Commission Board.

Let me share with you a couple instances of Chaplains Commission’s compassionate response ministries during the past few weeks. While I was in Romania three weeks ago, I had the privilege of observing Romanian Chaplaincy Coordinator, Dr. Radu Tirle and his chaplains distribute 40,000 pounds of goods that had been shipped through Operation Compassion. These goods were made available to our chaplains in prisons and other institutions for distribution to some of the most destitute individuals and families in Eastern Europe. My sincere thanks go to Reverend David Lorency for arranging this Operation Compassion shipment. Within the next week or so, another shipment through Operation Compassion will make its way to Romania with 40,000 pairs of shoes for our Romanian chaplains to distribute to thousands of individuals in great need; many who recently lost all of their clothes in devastating floods and other natural disasters. Through this coordinated effort, hundreds of Gypsy children will receive a new pair of shoes prior to their fall enrollment in elementary and high schools.

Another example of the Chaplains Commission’s care ministries occurred this week. Here again, through partnership with Operation Compassion, we arranged a shipment of goods to be delivered to our chaplains and local churches adjacent to military bases at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The shipment contained quality luggage, cosmetics for female troops and family members, candies and cookies and other much needed support items. Most of these goods will be given to soldiers preparing for deployment to Iraq. You can imagine how important luggage is to these families as they, in many cases, relocate during deployments. Those on site assisting with the coordination of this effort are: 1) Army Chaplain (MAJ) Steven Cantrell, Fort Benning, Georgia with local church pastor Reverend Daniel McEachin of the Columbus – Cornerstone Church of God; and 2) Army Chaplain (MAJ) Charles Kuhlman, Fort Campbell, Kentucky with local church pastor Reverend Paul Nolan at the Clarksville Church of God. If you would like to be a part of our Chaplains Commission disaster and compassion ministries with donations of support, contact Reverend Thomas Offutt at: <mailto:tomoffuttcc@bellsouth.net> tomoffuttcc@bellsouth.net

SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDED:

1. The family of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Thomas Phythian, Falls Church, Virginia; on Friday, August 17, Chaplain Phythian’s son-in-law, Jesse Buccini, 33, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was married to the Phythian’s youngest daughter, Tammie, and left behind two children aged 4 and 18 months. Send your notes of prayer support to the Phythians at: <mailto:tomphythian@yahoo.com> tomphythian@yahoo.com
2. Sheena, adult daughter of Chaplain Randy and Darlene Imhoff, Syracuse, New York, is still in need of prayer. As most of you know, Sheena was seriously injured in an automobile accident many months ago; has been in and out of the hospital with multiple surgeries; and is being cared for by the Imhoffs and her husband and children. We consider her to be "daughter" to all of us in the faith, and we pray for her with passion and hope. Send your prayer notes of support to the Imhoffs at: <mailto:rimhoff@twcny.rr.com> rimhoff@twcny.rr.com
3. Our chaplains currently deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other critical areas continue to need our prayer; and especially their spouses, children and loved ones. The stress is enormous; but we serve a God who is bigger than the stress.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1. Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, Fort Riley, Kansas, and his wife sent this exciting news: "Unto us a child is born; a girl, given by God! This great and mighty miracle has occurred! We now have the wonderful blessing of being the adoptive parents to Maygan Janai. She was born Tuesday at 2 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs, 6 ozs. After 15 years of marriage, we are blessed to have a little one in our home! We wanted to share this great news with our chaplaincy family." Send your note of congratulations to the Bartels at: jtbartels@embarqmail.com.
2. Veterans Affairs and Retired Army Chaplain Pablo Gonzales, Huntington, West Virginia, notes: "Our son, Pablo, II, was married this month. We are all excited as he anticipates the future with his new bride. Also, remember my wife, Mona, who still suffers from high blood pressure."
3. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Terry Simmons, currently assigned to Afghanistan, recently sent us his Unit’s monthly newsletter, with much "good news" of their chaplaincy endeavors. In addition to their outstanding worship services, Chaplain Simmons and his team are conducting field work with the people of Afghanistan. This includes humanitarian aid missions and other local outreach. Through the Chaplain’s Office, Chaplain Simmons tells us his unit is supporting a Korean hospital and an Egyptian hospital located in their area. He notes, "In my heart, I feel we are making a big difference in so many lives. You should see the kids’ faces light up when they receive our gifts."
4. Army Chaplain (COL) Charles Howell, Command Chaplain at Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, D.C., informs us that his department is sponsoring a one-day seminar presented by Dr. Ed Tick entitled War and the Soul. Additionally, he will be sponsoring a three-day symposium on Spirituality and Trauma Stress. I have asked Chaplain Howell to give us more details on these special soldier and family support programs. Hopefully, we can share this material with other chaplains who are dealing with the stress that comes from a prolonged and difficult combat mission.
5. Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Roberson, and his wife, Amanda, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, sent us this exciting news by way of Jeff’s father, Chaplains Commission Training Administrator, Reverend Wayne Roberson: "Jeff and Amanda have a new baby girl, Abigail Grace, born August 20, weighing in at 7 lbs and 8 ozs. Mother and baby are doing just fine." Our congratulations go to Jeff and Amanda, as well as Wayne and Charlotte and all other family members and friends. Send your notes of congratulations to Jeff and Amanda at: jaroberson@affinity4.net
6. Navy Reserve Chaplain (LT CMD) James Mucha, and current pastor of the Shepherd of the Hills Church of God in San Antonio, Texas, sends this update: "We are now settled into our new home, and the church is doing great and growing. We have a wonderful congregation. I am drilling with the Navy Reserve and continuing my connection with the military; and was picked up for LT CMD (0-4). In addition to my pastoral ministry, I will be entering a CPE Residency program with the Baptist Health System. As you can see, my plate is full. But God is good in providing our needs." Send your notes of prayer support and congratulations for their outstanding ministries to:  jtmucha@yahoo.com

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY NEWS (Campus, prisons, hospitals, industry, etc.):

1. Long-term Prison Chaplain Bill Whittenberger, Yuma, Arizona, notes: "I have now accepted a position with the Florida Department of Corrections, Wewahitchka, Florida. I will be reporting to this new assignment September 7. Pray that we will sell our home in Yuma quickly, and that we will find this new ministry exciting and rewarding."
2. Community Service Chaplains Doug and Eddie Tindle, who minister out of the Trinity Chapel Church, Powder Springs, Georgia, informs us that Chaplain Eddie Tindle has been leading a team of 12 volunteers in ministry to the Cobb County jail. More than 50 souls have been won this year alone! Eddie will become a certified law enforcement chaplain for the Cobb County Sheriff’s office very shortly. Chaplain Doug Tindle, serving as a Community Service Chaplain since 2001, serves the Cobb General Hospital. He is also a minister at the local Powder Springs nursing home.
3. Prison Chaplain Doctor Betty Standifer, Chattanooga, Tennessee, notes: "As you know, I minister to women in special lock-down units. I have to speak to them through a small opening where they are given their meals. Often, they reach out their hands simply to be touched by anyone. Most are broken. I ministered to a woman who has been sentenced to 20 years for child abuse. She was raised in a minister’s home. Pray that God will continue to use me in this special ministry."
4. Community Service Chaplain Marlene Giordano, Bellevue, Nebraska, notes: "A few weeks back, I awakened not feeling well. I simply did not want to leave the house. But God gave me the strength and I made my way to my ministry assignment at a nursing home. As I entered one room, a frail woman barely opened her eyes. I played some music on my keyboard for her. As I was playing, There is Power in the Blood, something happened. She was saying very clearly, Jesus, Jesus forgive me. The Holy Spirit was in that room! After prayer, she began to praise the Lord. Now, every time I visit that area, I can hear her praying and praising the Lord."
5. Community Service Chaplain Valaria Hoskins, Cincinnati, Ohio, reports that through their ministries, they raised $2,000 for backpacks to be given to needy kids/families.
6. Keena Cox, former Hospital Chaplain, Denver CO, sent this note: "The final decree was made August, 10, 2007. From this day forth, this child will be known as Hannah Jordan Cox." (Send your notes of congratulations to Keena and David following the adoption of a beautiful daughter at: mrskeena@msn.com

FINALLY:

I just returned from the Patten University Board Session in Oakland, California. Like all of our educational institutions, we want chaplaincy to be a "household word/ministry." Dr. Gary Moncher, President of Patten University, has been a great supporter. We have offered several chaplaincy courses on this beautiful campus. As we often say in these Updates, "It is all about good relationships." Dr. Moncher and I met more than 20 years ago. Out of that relationship that began in Washington, D.C. at a chaplaincy gathering, he introduced me to Patten and all the great ministries available there. I had the privilege of introducing him and Dr. Bebe Patten, then President of Patten University, to the Church of God. His friends became my friends; and as a result, Patten University is now an official "Church of God" institution.

Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission