Chaplains Commission Weekly Update
Thursday, November 22, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Choice Christian greetings! Happy U.S. Thanksgiving!
As you know, the Chaplains Commission is an international ministry. We have vast chaplaincy activities in 70 countries around the world. We know that in most countries, there is a day set aside for “Thanksgiving Day.” In the U.S., Thanksgiving is family time. We gather around a table of great dishes, open our meal with prayer and generally reflect on those things by which we lift our voices to give Almighty God thanks. When we pause, we realize our blessings have been in abundance.
Thank you, Lord, for 2600 chaplains, representing 40 types of institutions. Thank you, Father, for the sacrifices of our military chaplains, now with more than 50 deployments to the hostile Persian Gulf Area, leaving behind family, friends and safety. In several cases, military chaplains who were deployed left behind newborn babies to be cared for by faithful and dedicated spouses. Thank you, Lord, for those chaplains that will spend Thanksgiving Day at the bedside of a dying patient; walking the corridors of a jail or prison, giving solace to inmates; and, in the case of our hospice chaplains, making necessary home visits to the dying or handicapped individuals. We are thankful, Father, for a dedicated Chaplains Commission staff; who, because of our expanding ministries, work long hours and give their all to ensure that every chaplain, wherever they are, feels special, loved and supported. Thank you, Lord for those chaplains who work with the mentally dysfunctional, the homeless and other disenfranchised in a society where it is a stigma to be poor, destitute, lonely or distressed. Lord, our list could go on forever; that is, thanks for our families, our donors, all our disaster workers; and especially, more than 2,000 volunteer chaplains (Community Service) who conduct their volunteer work seriously and passionately. Finally, we thank you for the freedom of our nation and nations around the world whereby we can, indeed, proclaim Your Name to be supreme; and to believe that eventually “every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ to be Lord.” And, on that glorious day of Your return, we will give thanks for our altar experiences, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the abundance that comes with the privilege of being Your child. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
LITTLE DEBBIE GOES TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:
This week, the Chaplains Commission spent practically a day at the post office mailing out 286 boxes of Little Debbie brownies to our deployed military chaplains for distribution to their troops during the holidays. A former Church of God missionary, who now works at the post office, volunteered his services to ensure that, not only were these boxes properly mailed, but that they went covered with his and our prayers. The funds for this special project came by way of a July 4th “God and Country” national celebration of donations from local churches. In addition to the brownies, our chaplains in these combat areas will receive enough Psalm 91 bandanas to give one to each of their troops, devotional materials and personal packages for the deployed chaplains and their family members left at home. As our chaplains receive these gifts and respond with testimonies, we will share them with you. In the meanwhile, continue to pray for our chaplains serving God and country in harm’s way.
NEWS FROM THE FIELD:
1. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Bob Sinnett, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, notes: “Someone left a prayer request in my Bible after the chapel service for an infant named Damian. He is currently hospitalized with serious respiratory disorders. Also, pray for Greg Brown who is awaiting a liver transplant.”
2. This testimony comes from one of our volunteer chaplains, Lucretia Hoffman, Ankeny, Iowa. Chaplain Hoffman’s full-time job is that of teacher in an alternative High School. She states, “During one of our activities, one of our students used the n word in addressing another student. Of course, this was fighting words. After disciplining the student for using the word, I spent time with the young man who had been the victim of this offense. I wrapped my arms around him right there in the class and prayed that Jesus would take away any hurtful or negative reaction to this terrible offense. I told him I would take the pain and hurt away if I could, but it doesn’t work that way…only the Lord can do that. Later, I brought him a Bible, and we formed a special relationship. I know this freedom the Lord has given me is for a purpose. We are planting seeds; and by faith, I know they will grow.”
3. Law Enforcement Chaplain John Hudnall, Woodland, California, gives us an idea of the significance of chaplaincy ministry. His report includes: “My kids took me out to dinner to celebrate my 63rd birthday. I was called out from the dinner to notify a family that their 60-year-old father had been killed when he was struck by an automobile while riding his bicycle to work. The next day, I was called to the scene of another accident; when I arrived, I found that an individual had been deliberately run down by a motorcyclist at the end of a long, high-speed pursuit, in which the biker reached 140 mph. As officers tried to enforce a road block, the motorcyclist gunned his bike directly at the officers. The motorcycle struck the officer while traveling at 80 mph. Fortunately, the officer survived. He experienced multiple fractures and will be laid up for a long time. As we anticipate Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be part of a wonderful Woodland police chaplaincy ministry.”
4. Law Enforcement and Hospital Chaplain Mitch McClure, Hixson, Tennessee, states: “On Sunday, November 18, we had a special day to celebrate our ministry to Veterans. Some of these Veterans served in World War II. Retired Navy Chaplain Bobby Williams was the guest speaker.”
5. Veterans Affairs Hospital Chaplain Michael Doan, Marion, Illinois, sends this report on their daughter, Diamond: “Diamond has been diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease. While this is a serious medical problem, we are thankful that it can be managed; and that the prognosis for the next few years is very good. This disease creates the condition whereby the body’s immune system acts as if the liver is a foreign organ. Thank God this has been caught in time to avoid severe liver damage. Continue to pray for Diamond. We are thankful God has helped us to properly diagnose her, and that the treatment plan is in place.”
TRAINING CONTINUES:
The Chaplains Commission offers a Basic 40-hour or 27-hour format Community Service Chaplains Course; and twelve specialized courses. In a calendar year time frame, we will offer some 40 courses in the United States and in other countries. These courses are undergirded by manuals, selected books, PowerPoints and other resources. The work is coordinated by Dr. Doc Williams. To support Dr. Williams, the Chaplains Commission has certified 35 additional trainers, either as trainer associates or primary trainers. The associate trainers are certified to assist Dr. Williams and other primary trainers in teaching courses, while primary trainers are qualified to coordinate the entire course; and, in a few cases, teach the entire course. I am not aware of another department in the Church of God that has such a vast training program. All of our courses are taught at a level whereby participants can receive undergraduate or graduate credit. Many of these courses are taught at the Seminary, colleges and universities and throughout the world at our Bible Colleges and Institutes. Several state and regional Administrative Bishops have declared chaplaincy training as an “absolute necessity” in the development of their pastors and churches. Dr. Michael Baker, Administrative Bishop for Virginia, has provided our courses to more than 200 pastors and laypersons. Dr. Doc Williams, along with Chaplain Peter Shoars, recently conducted a Basic Course in Virginia for 40 students. Paralleling the Basic Course was a specialized course in alcohol and drug rehabilitation/ministries, taught by Dr. Harold Spellman, Peniel Ministries. Dr. Spellman is our premier instructor in this specialized area. If you are interested in reviewing our chaplaincy program, purpose, design and goals, along with scheduled courses for 2008, visit our website at: www.cogchalains.com.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
We just received word that one of our Chaplains Commissions’ greatest supporters, Dr. John D. Nichols, has been diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Nichols has given us permission to let you know of his condition, knowing that everyone of our chaplains, their congregations and their family members will be praying for him. He knows we love him; and he loves chaplains and their ministries. In his younger years, he was a “Marine through and through.” That Marine spirit never left him in his passion for ministry, his preaching, his tenacity in making care a household word throughout the Church of God and all the other ministries God has allowed him to accomplish with exemplary results. It would please me if every one of you would send a note of prayer support to Dr. Nichols at: JDNorene@aol.com. While he may not be able to personally respond back to you, knowing John Nichols, he will treasure your concern for him, his family and ministries.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Luann Leonard, one of our staff, is recovering from recent illness.
2. Also from our staff, Valerie Abbott would like us to continue to remember her mother, Jean Judy, in prayer as she faces difficult decisions regarding spreading cancer and treatment options.
3. Remember a number of our chaplains who are experiencing late fall and early winter flu, colds, etc.; and chaplains who are experiencing surgery and other medical procedures.
4. Prison Chaplain Richard Paul, Silver City, New Mexico, who is recovering from stem cell implant for a serious medical condition.
FINALLY:
Our thoughts and prayers are with our chaplaincy family during this long Thanksgiving weekend. May God continue to give you much success as you minister in many difficult areas. Be sure to send us reports of your Thanksgiving Day and weekend activities; special services, meals for the homeless and other activities that are in abundance among our chaplains around the world. We love you and pray for you every day. God keeps your faces burnt in our hearts because you are the centerpiece and purpose of this great ministry.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Crick
Director, Chaplains Commission
Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net
Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
RDC/vja
Categories: Weekly Update
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