Church of God Chaplains Commission

Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 9:47 pm

Choice Christian greetings!

On behalf of chaplaincy ministries around the world, we wish you a very, very Merry Christmas! It goes without saying, chaplaincy has been blessed abundantly this entire year. Therefore, it is with a grateful heart that we enter into this holiday season, recognizing it is not what we have done, but what He has enabled us to do in reaching a wounded world for Christ.

Christmas reminds us that God takes our “nothingness” and turns it into “eternal hope and ministry.” I was saved only a few months when the little frame church where Jeanette and I worshipped burned to the ground. The fire took place a day or two before Christmas; during our annual Christmas play/celebration. Someone struck a match to light a candle, and suddenly the tree was ablaze; underneath the tree were the presents for all the members and children of the church. You see, we did not just celebrate Christmas at home, the church was family; and this was the occasion to exchange gifts. The members stood traumatized as they watched their church burn to the ground, along with gifts and all the other goodies that come with this festivity. Though discouraged, I saw no one giving up or laying blame to God or anyone else. In fact, the child who had struck the match that caused the fire was consoled by the elder members of the church. As a new Christian, I witnessed what it meant to have a “Christ-centered Christmas.” It certainly did not mean that the fire was prevented; or that the rest of our lives would be a panacea. It meant that when God or circumstances see fit to reduce us to “nothing,” that is simply the beginning of God’s work in us. Even as the members of that little church grieved the loss of their facility, you could hear the elders in the background making plans for a new, even bigger and better facility. God took us out of our temporary dwelling place in order to give us His permanent place. To me, that is what our chaplaincy ministry represents. It represents going “outside the gates” into destitute places; and with God’s protection and grace, watching Him make something sacred out of the nothingness of our lives. As the Apostle Paul states, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved, it is the power of God. For God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; He chose the lowly things of this world, and the despised things – and the things that are nothing – to nullify the things that are; so that no one may boast before Him.” (I Corinthians 1:18; 27-29)

CHAPLAINS COMMISSION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Please be advised that the Chaplains Commission offices will be closed beginning December 14 at 3 p.m. and will not reopen until Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Underscore the fact that we are not closed for ministry. I will be available throughout the holidays for any emergencies, or for other needed ministry. My cell number is 423-240-8031; Dr. Jerry McNabb’s cell is 423-650-1080; do not hesitate to call either of us at any time. To contact Dr. Doc Williams in regards to Community Service chaplaincy and training, call 423-650-2536.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

1. This week, approximately 100 chaplains, staff, supporters and friends came together for our annual Chaplains Commission Christmas luncheon. I wish all of you could have been with us. As much as was possible, we made it “chaplaincy centered.” Dr. Betty Standifer, jail and prison chaplain to female inmates, reflected on the fact that one million women are incarcerated in the U.S., and the tremendous needs of these mothers, sisters, daughters and friends for the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Executive Committee members Dr. Orville Hagan, Tim Hill and Dennis McGuire gave inspiration on what the season means to the Church; more particularly to those ministering “outside the gates.” This luncheon gave us the occasion to say thank you to a marvelous staff and more than 2600 chaplains in 69 countries; and to give special tribute to our military chaplains serving Christ in harm’s way.

2. Other department special Christmas events with Chaplains Commission presence were the Smoky Mountain Home for Children’s annual Christmas festivity, World Missions’ Department Christmas banquet and the Youth and Christian Education Department’s Christmas celebration.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1. Army Chaplain (COL) David Moran, Germany, requests prayer for our soldiers and chaplains who are experiencing individual and family stress. Chaplain Moran, whose doctorate is in the area of counseling and marriage and family, reminds us that there are those, soldiers and even chaplains, whose stress level is so high that they would consider suicide as an alternative to living. While Christmas is, for most, a time of celebration, for those distressed, it can be one of the most devastating, grieving times of the year.

2. In regard to these issues of depression and stress, we commend Air Force Chaplain (CPT) Lance Giannone, San Antonio, Texas, for his recent intervention of one many miles away who was considering suicide. One of the resource persons working with this case stated: “My chaplain, Chaplain Giannone, stood over me making sure I was saying the right things as I dealt with this person threatening suicide. He being there helped reassure me that I was directing this person in the right manner.”

3. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Terry Simmons, Afghanistan, shared with us his monthly brigade newsletter. Last month, he reminded soldiers of how much combat changes them; especially their relationships with family members. He emphasized the importance of learning how to “reintegrate” into family once deployment is completed. He stated: “Learn to communicate openly and honestly; avoid cynicism and defensiveness; and recognize that your family members have changed also during your separation.” Chaplain Simmons reminded his soldiers that deployments, when properly negotiated, can be a means of reaching a higher level in our relationships with those that we love. Thank you, Chaplain Simmons, for such a timely and well-written article.

4. Air Force Chaplain (MAJ) Eddie Jones was recently reassigned to Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from England. Upon leaving his assignment in England, Chaplain Jones was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. Our congratulations and prayers go to Chaplain Jones and his family.

SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS:

1. Dr. John Nichols, CEO of The Lazarus Foundation and former Executive Director of Care Ministries are undergoing extensive treatment for cancer at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Dr. Nichols expressed his deep appreciation to all of you who recently sent prayer notes to him. He will complete chemotherapy this week and return home for a period of recuperation. Continue to pray for Dr. Nichols; he loves chaplaincy…it shows in all he does and says.

2. Continue to pray for our chaplains and soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and other dangerous areas.

3. Pray for Randy and Darlene Imhoff’s daughter, Sheena, and hundreds of others who need a healing touch. This week I had the opportunity to visit with Sheena and her parents. I must say that I received far more than I could ever give. You could feel the anointing and faith in a deep and profound way. This family’s unity in the Spirit is what the Lord desires for His entire Church.

4. Prison Chaplain Richard Paul, Silver City, New Mexico, has gone through extensive stem cell transplant surgery and is facing long recuperation with heavy financial responsibilities.

5. Law Enforcement Chaplain C. L. Brasfield, Charlotte, North Carolina, reports that last week he stepped off the curb and sprained a muscle which resulted in excruciating pain and eventually “blacking out.” He is going through a number of tests and asks us to lift him up in prayer.

6. Clinical Chaplain Joseph Schuck, Lanett, Alabama, requests prayer for his son, Mark. The medical staff determined that most likely, due to complex medical problems, Mark will never walk again.

7. Retired Prison Chaplain Bob Dawkins, Troy, NC; who only recently was released from the hospital.

8. Pray for our chaplaincy families, especiallythose kids that need a touch >from the Lord. While our chaplains are outstanding ministers, they and their families are human like all of us. They bleed, cry, face financial difficulties; and many of them simply need a fresh touch from the Lord.

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY NEWS (prisons, hospitals, college campuses, industry, etc):

1. Congratulations go to Law Enforcement Chaplain Bob Proctor, Bakersfield, California, who will receive his Doctorate of Ministries Degree from Azusa Pacific University on December 15^th. His dissertation was entitled, “Community Service Chaplaincy; doing God’s Work in God’s World.” Dr. Proctor has also been asked to develop a Basic Chaplaincy Course at the Master’s level for Azusa Pacific University.

2. Hospital Chaplain Paulette Coleman, Leland, North Carolina, sent this testimony: “A young man, 36, was brought in to our trauma center. God enabled me to bond very quickly with his young wife, helping her find housing and other support. Finally, the tough decision was made to remove him from life support. I stayed with the family and witnessed this young man’s departure from this world to a world of eternity. Pray for this family.”

3. Chaplain Chauncey Biby, El Dorado, Kansas, was instrumental in getting the Church of God in Kansas to contribute $1,000 for the Spiritual Life Center at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. Our special thanks go to Kansas Administrative Bishop Bob Maggard and all the others that made this gift possible. This new Spiritual Life Center will shortly be completed and will serve as a lighthouse of hope for inmates and staff.

4. Juvenile Ministries Center Chaplain Floyd Coffman, Fairfield, California, reports that during the past month, 52 juveniles have given their hearts to the Lord. Chaplain Coffman also serves as a local law enforcement chaplain for the Fairfield Police Department.

FINALLY:

I love all the Christmas cards and messages that come >from our active chaplains, volunteer chaplains and a number of retired chaplains. When I get one of these cards, my mind goes back, sometimes a long way, to how and when that individual began his/her chaplaincy journey. One of these Christmas letters came from Retired Air Force Chaplain Paul Stewart, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While a student at Louisiana State University, Paul felt the call for missionary service. He was an outstanding missionary to Central and South America; and was a certified pilot, flying from one missionary station to another. He and Regina raised their children on foreign soil. When Paul returned to complete a Master’s Degree at the Seminary, and later was employed as one of our staff personnel, I had the opportunity to engage him around the subject of “chaplaincy.” It did not take much to convince him that accepting a chaplain’s assignment was not the termination of his missionary call, only an extension of it. Paul spent 20+ years as an outstanding military chaplain, with assignments in many areas within the U.S. and other countries. Spanish was a second language to Paul and Regina; therefore, they were always called upon to serve in official and unofficial areas of ministry requiring the Spanish language. When Paul retired from the military, chaplains, Airmen, Air Force Officers and enlisted personnel and a host of others gave honor to this dedicated missionary who spent his entire life ministering to those “beyond the gates.” Paul’s Christmas letter reminds us to take time to reflect; to remember where we were when we received that very special “chaplaincy call.” It is a gift with unbelievable dimensions.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our chaplaincy family, friends and supporters; and to all who love and embrace ministry “beyond the gates!”

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