Church of God Chaplains Commission

Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 9:44 pm

Choice Christian greetings!

We know that our lives as Pentecostals are blessed by many individuals and many different faith groups. In my early youth, I was raised as a Presbyterian. In that little country Presbyterian Church I learned for the first time that God was real, that His Son died for my sins and that through the Holy Spirit I could have a special call within His Kingdom. Then, in my teen years, through a born again Director of a local, downtown YMCA, I was confronted for the first time with giving my heart personally to the Lord Jesus Christ. Both these experiences planted the seeds of the Gospel in my heart; and a few years later, in a Pentecostal worship, I made my way to an altar of prayer, received the wonderful grace of salvation, the sanctifying power of His righteousness and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As I look back on that experience of so many years ago, I do not see my religious heritage in fragmentation; as if these experiences are compartmentalized, detached from each other. On the other hand, I see it all as a Godly process; thus making me thankful for all those who helped pave the way for my salvation, ministry call and ministry journey. We are not alone in this wonderful relationship with the Lord. Chaplaincy, more than most ministries, teaches us to share the table with other faith groups; to appreciate the gifts that others bring. When I was in Vietnam, I shared my ministry space with Army Chaplain Charles Watters, a Roman Catholic priest. Each evening, in anticipation of enemy raids or mortar attacks, we prayed together; and I have to admit, there were times when I felt closer to him than any of my Pentecostal brothers back home. His anointing and special prayers for me will be burned in my heart forever. Chaplain Watters died in Vietnam while ministering to wounded troops on Hill 875. I was privileged to take part in his funeral. Later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously..

This week the blessings which come from our “other” faith group heritages were celebrated by our office staff as we prayed for Valerie Abbott, our Executive Secretary; and her family. Valerie’s Mom, Jean M. Judy, after a battle with cancer, passed away on Tuesday, February 19. Jean was a life-long member, Sunday School teacher, and choir member of the Ridgely Maryland Church of the Brethren. Valerie’s Dad, Roy, pastured that church for more than 40 years. Valerie, wife of our International Youth and Christian Education Director, Mark Abbott, is a great example of how the Church of God is enriched by many others who poured into us the inspiration and commitment for a life of service in His Church. We are not alone; in chaplaincy we often share the Lord’s Table with others; all united in Christ; bearing together the commitment to take the Good News to those in pain, “beyond the gates.” Thank God for the Charlie Watters and the Jean Judys; they have enriched our life and our ministries. And someday, all those, who lives are redeemed by His Blood, will share eternity together. That will be One Great Chaplaincy Event!

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY REPORTS:

1. Continue to pray for our chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hostile areas. Our chaplains in these critical areas tells us that our soldiers are emotionally stretched thin; and that they and their families deserve our genuine prayers and support

2. Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, Church of God National Guard Chaplain (LTC) Ray Williams, assigned in the same general area. Chaplain Bartels spoke of the joy of being with “another Church of God chaplain;” “Like meeting with a close relative.” You who have been in these isolated areas know the feelings. By the way, Theresa, Chaplain Bartels’s wife, sent us lots of pictures of their six month old daughter, Maygan. She is growing; and beautiful.

3. Army Chaplain (CPT) Chris Wilson recently completed a very successful assignment in Korea; and is now assigned to a unit at Fort Hood, TX. Upon leaving Korea he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service and ministry. His new unit at Fort Hood most likely will deploy for Iraq in June, 2008. Chris and his wife, Meghan have four daughters, all under the age of eight; and their fifth child is due sometime in March. I know you will be praying for this family; they represent the very best of our Chaplains Commission ministries

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY NEWS (Hospitals, Campus, Prisons, Industries etc)

1. Clinical Chaplain John Corcoran, Miamisburg, OH reports: “I am currently serving on the board of our Suicide Prevention Center; and a member of the County Suicide Prevention Coalition with the Mental Health Board. Recently, I conducted a debriefing for firefighters who were involved in a fire resulting in the death of three children. We worked through anger issues as the mother of the children, unfortunately, was intoxicated, escaping the building while leaving her children behind.”

2. Hospital Chaplain Rod Harwood, Pendleton, OR trained inmates as hospice volunteers for sick and older inmates at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute. He reports: “Those being trained opened their hearts and souls to me. Young and old, white, Hispanic and black…all joined together as one.”

3. Puerto Rico Chaplaincy Director Ismael Ponce is the central coordinator for their week long chaplaincy celebration. Chaplain Ponce was recently elected as the new Director of the Evangelical Police Chaplains Association. This association covers some 20,000 law enforcement personnel with 21 evangelical chaplains.

4. Community Service Chaplain Michael Vincent, Dahlonega, GA completed a trip to South Africa where he led a conference on “Overcoming Addictions.” While there, he states that “25 came to the Lord; with many being delivered from drug additions.” One of the local South African newspapers published the account of Chaplain Vincent’s life and ministry; to include his own addiction to cocaine for some twenty years. The testimony of his own deliverance from drugs is the heart and soul of his call to this special chaplaincy ministry.

5. Civil Air Patrol Area Chaplain John Gordy, Cleveland, TN reports: “I need your prayers for my Dad, who is under the care of hospice, with kidneys, liver and heart failure. He needs to know the Lord.

FINALLY:

This next week a number of our chaplaincy staff will be attending an International Care Conference in Quito, Ecuador. The conference in part will be held on the beautiful campus of the South American Seminary (Semisud). Some years ago, when Dr. David Ramirez was Seminary President, the Commission began offering courses to seminary students, pastors and laypersons in several South American countries; and later, through Commission Board Member David Kemp, pastor of the Fort Mill, SC Church of God, the Commission joined with other donors in building the new Urban and Chaplaincy Ministries facility. That facility will be dedicated next week during the conference. The new President, Dr. David Munguia, is continuing this chaplaincy development. All Seminary students and pastors are encouraged to incorporate chaplaincy into their local and other ministries. It is clear, we must teach future ministers how to "pastor communities; not just local churches." Chaplaincy is the best model in understanding this principle. Pray for our 2600 chaplains around the world; and for 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