Church of God Chaplains Commission

Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

Friday, February 15, 2008 at 7:32 pm

Choice Christian greetings!

I just returned from the Patten University Board session. As most of you know, Patten University amalgamated with the Church of God several years ago and today stands as one of our most outstanding ministerial training centers. Dr. Gary Moncher, a long-time friend, colleague and great supporter of chaplaincy ministries, is Patten’s President. At this meeting, our Chaplains Commission Coordinator of Disaster Response Ministries, Reverend Thomas Offutt, was made a Board Member. Dr. Dennis McGuire, Dr. John Nichols, Reverend Charles Fischer, Reverend Dan Moore, and Dr. Carlos Moran are the other Church of God Board members. Other Members of the Board come from various faith groups and backgrounds. How did this great relationship with Patten University begin? I met Dr. Moncher, a fellow endorser, in Washington, D.C. He told me about the fabulous ministries of Patten University, going back to the early 1940s. In my first visit there, I met Dr. Bebe Patten, the founder of Patten University, and one of the most profound, important Pentecostal women in the world. From the very beginning, Dr. Bebe Patten became a “world evangelist.” She had such a deep and lasting relationship with the country of Israel that, at one of their Orthodox Rabbinic centers, you will find a chair of Protestant Theology named in her honor. From meeting with Dr. Moncher and my introduction of Bebe Patten to the Church of God began discussions that would lead to our present amalgamation. There are many responsible for the final plan to bring Patten University into their current relationship with the Church of God. I had the privilege of planting the seed, but many toiled the ground; and finally, the harvest came. That sums up in a nut shell why our chaplaincy ministries are so effective around the world. They are built on relationships of integrity. We see it in places like Romania where we are preparing to dedicate a million dollar medical/care/chaplaincy center; throughout South America where we have chaplaincy programs in every country; and in the U.S. in prisons, hospitals, schools, orphanages and other agencies. Violate early relationships and you will have seed that will never grow to fruition. Nurture early relationships, and, with truth, keep them “above board,” and you will see fruit in abundance. It is not the one that can leap over tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding bullet; it is the one that, like our chaplains around the world, daily ministers from the position of truth and integrity.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SPECIAL REPORT

Campus Chaplaincy Coordinator, John Unthank, Knoxville, TN, sent this special report: “I just spoke with Kelly Malm from the DeKalb, ILL Church of God as they are responding to the crisis at Northern Illinois University in their city. About 100 of the University students attend the Church of God. The DeKalf church opened their facilities for counseling and prayer. Many students were ministered to. They also participated in a prayer vigil on campus last night. The Church conducts weekly Bible studies on campus as well as a highly organized evangelism effort called…No Soul Left Behind. Keep all the students, their family members and the campus ministers in your prayers”

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY REPORTS:

1. Keersti Jacobson, wife of Navy Chaplain (LT) Brian Jacobson, Curtis Bay, Maryland, just came out of one of many surgeries over the past few years. Chaplain Jacobson stated: “Keersti is doing as well as can be expected. They talked about transfusions to lift her blood counts, but have decided on prescriptions as an alternative. Pray that her iron level will increase; and pray for me as I attempt to cook meals with beef liver and other means to lift her iron count.”

2. National Guard Chaplain (LTC) Ray Williams, assigned to Iraq, returned home for a surprise visit for a few days. I had the opportunity to talk with him, assuring him we will continue to pray for him as he completes his assignment in Iraq. Just last week, he pinned on his Lieutenant Colonel’s rank. Send your notes of congratulations to Ray and his family at: ray.williams@us.army.mil.

3. Retired Navy Chaplain Jairo Moreno, now pastoral therapist in Portland, Texas, notes: “In my therapeutic program, I saw 6 teens accept the Lord as they completed their rehabilitation program. Keep these kids in your prayers.”

4. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory, Korea, sends this most inspiring testimony: “My wife, Susan, has been visiting me in Korea. Shortly after her arrival, I was given the “Order of Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of Artilleryman Award.” To add to my blessing, my commander took Susan and me to the observation post Ouellette, the only remaining U.S. controlled op that flies the American flag. Susan was awarded the American flag that was flown in her honor on this special day; and she received a certificate that reads, United Nations Command Security Battalion affirms that this flag was flown in Susan Marie Gregory’s honor in the Demilitarized Zone of the Republic of Korea, located 25 meters South of the military demarcation lines dividing North and South Korea. The blessings did not end there. I was also given the Imjon Scout Certificate for Commendable Service in Defense of Freedom along the DMZ. Susan and I know that these are simply awards on earth; that our final awards will be in Heaven. But it is good to witness God’s grace placed on us for such a time as this.”

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Former Air Force Chaplain, now Veterans Affairs Chaplain Michael Doan, Marion, Illinois, requests prayer for their daughter, Diamond. She is taking special medications that assist with liver problems and her immune system. Chaplain Doan also notes, “Our chaplaincy services have been given a significantly higher role in the interdisciplinary teams that provide care for patients and families with special needs. This is a great step forward.”

2. Continue to pray for our chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan and other crucial areas; also for their families they left behind.

3. Chaplain Keith Honeycutt, Penrose, North Carolina, requests that we pray for several former inmates who are now attending their local church. He states that we need more churches that will support inmates who have given their hearts to the Lord. He also reports that 16 other inmates accepted Christ during their jail services in January.

4. Chaplain Rick Mann, Martinsburg, West Virginia, requests prayer for 30 of their race track personnel who are in his addictive behavioral program. He noted: “One lady came to us last week in the greatest spiritual bondage I have witnessed in some time. The Lord showed me this is spiritual, as well as chemical, imbalance.”

5. Clinical Chaplain Kathryn Schuck, Lanette, Alabama, sends this prayer need: “I am working in the French Quarters of New Orleans. We take teams there as bridge builders during special holidays. Pray for these street people as we bring ministry to them.” It should also be noted that Chaplain Schuck recently completed programs in FEMA- Emergency Institute. She was also given Board certification with the International Board of Christian Counselors.

6. Jail/Prison Chaplain Karl Adams, North Hampton, Ohio, reports: “Pray for four men that accepted Jesus as their Lord last month. Also, for a young lady I have been dealing with in our detention center. She is now back home; and I know that God has not only softened her wounded heart, but is changing things in her life.”

7. Ireland Chaplain John Walsh, currently on missionary assignment to Indonesia, requests prayer for their daughter-in-law, Noreen, who is expecting their first child. Prayer is needed also for Noreen’s mother, who has been given only a few weeks to live.

8. Prison Chaplain Betty Standifer, Cleveland, Tennessee, sent this prayer request for a female inmate: “She is a brilliant 20-year-old woman. A few weeks ago, she was in an isolation cell with no clothes on. They simply could not keep her from tearing her clothes off. She has a history of drugs and prostitution, and is diabetic. Through prayer, she is doing much better. Her blood sugar is under control and she talks to us freely. She is asking for a Bible. Pray that God will use this brilliant mind.”

9. Chaplain David Manning, Covenant Transportation chaplain, Chattanooga, Tennessee, always sends us a list of truckers and other personnel who are in need of prayer. Chaplain Manning believes that prayer brings results, as he has witnessed it over the years. He is asking us to pray for everyone involved with his industry in that the economic downswing has brought burdens on many families’ lives.

10. Chaplain Cheryl Allison-Perry, Charlotte, North Carolina, sent us pictures of several women in their local jail who were being baptized in water after having accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord. Chaplain Allison-Perry notes: “The Chaplain and I had the honor of baptizing 44 women at our local prison. Many of these women came out of the water giving praise to Almighty God, some speaking in other tongues.”

11. Hospice Chaplain Gene Bordeaux, New Orleans, Louisiana, requests prayer for their son-in-law, who will be deployed to Iraq in April, 2008. He is HM3 Allen Ladd. This will be his third deployment.

12. Continue to pray for our Executive Secretary, Valerie’s, mother, Jean, who is extremely weak from two sessions of radiation over the holidays, but scheduled for chemotherapy this Monday.

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY NEWS (hospitals, prison/jails, college campuses, industry, etc):

1. Jail/Prison Chaplain Jessie Mae Newman-Munson, McDonough, Georgia, reports: “We have been working in this county jail for more than two years. Recently, a Muslin inmate, who is charged with murder, accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and was filled with the Holy Spirit. In the past month or so, 38 inmates have accepted the Lord; 14 received the Holy Spirit; and 18 have been baptized in water.”

2. Law Enforcement Chaplain Jeffrey Wolf, Milford, Ohio, reports that out of his local church, there are 24 trained chaplains that the Lord has given ministry access to the juvenile detention center.

3. University Chaplaincy Field Coordinator John Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee, reports: “We just completed a research project that provides the connections of our ministries with 900 colleges and universities located in areas where the Church of God is present. This is harvest field untapped. We are trying to match these educational institutions with our local churches. In our college ministries at the University of Tennessee last month, we made more than 800 student contacts, had 38 of our students involved in homeless ministry and were represented at our Spring Semester organizational fair.” It should be noted also that we celebrate with Chaplain John and Shelia Unthank on the birth of their granddaughter, Lilly, born February 15, at 9 lbs, 14 oz!

4. Prison Chaplain Carol Johnson, Longview, Washington, notes that even though the Super Bowl was on, 65 men showed up for her services. She states, “Something happened I have never seen during my many years as a prison chaplain…all 65 inmates came forth to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

FINALLY:

Chaplaincy is indeed on the very cutting edge, “beyond the gates” ministry. Chaplains go places ordinary folks avoid. In one of the reports received this week, our chaplain talks of ministering in a very hostile “motorcycle club.” One of the members of the club died in his sleep. Since this chaplain used to be a member of this radical group, he was asked to conduct the funeral. The deceased man was laid out on a pool table at the club house; and the funeral was conducted in a very dangerous place. This is, undoubtedly, going on the front line of the battle to snatch back mankind from Satan’s grasp into the arms of the Lord. This dangerous task can also be applied to our military chaplains, who spend part of their lives in harm’s way; our hospital chaplains as they encounter death and dying, the struggles with AIDS and all the other physical ills confronting our world; and powerfully illustrated in the lives of our prison chaplains who literally walk the last mile with an inmate preparing for execution. Now you know why we call this ministering “beyond the gates.” You also understand why our ministries are based on Hebrews 13 whereby we are challenged to go outside the safety zones to where our Lord lived and died, and bring men and women to God and God to men and women. Thank God for our Church of God chaplains; continue to pray for them and their families.

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