Church of God Chaplains Commission

  Choice Christian Greetings!

 I am ceaselessly amazed at all the talent and special skills of our Chaplains’ spouses and children.  Our Chaplains’ kids have all made us look “so very good.”  They excel in many areas; selection to the Military Academies, the completion of PhD programs, exemplary musical skills and many other special areas.  Our spouses’, equally, excel in so many ways.  In addition to supporting their husbands/wives ministries, they have full-time jobs as professional nurses, teachers, writers, credentialed ministers and, like their kids, they bring much credit to themselves and this vast ministry.  I just finished reviewing Brenda Pace’s recent new book.  Brenda, the wife of Army Chaplain (COL) Richard Pace, Washington, D.C., is well -known for her leadership as an International Director of the Protestant Women of the Chapel, keynote speaker at women’s and other conferences around the world, and, TV guest on several major networks.  Her recent book, “The One Year Yellow Ribbon Devotional,” is co-edited by Brenda and her friend, Carol McGlothlin, the wife of a retired Army Aviator.  The book is published by Tyndale Publishers, and is available in many major book outlets, as well as can be ordered through Amazon or other internet services.  This, “One Year Yellow Ribbon Devotional,” gives focus to life in the military, seen through the eyes and hearts of these two military wives.  One of the subtitles of the devotional states, “Take a stand and pray for those who have taken a stand for your freedoms!”  There you have it; the gifts and passion of our Chaplains’ spouses.  We are strengthened by these strong families who add such a powerful dimension to our chaplaincy ministries.  Keep these families in your prayers; they, like our Chaplains, are doing fantastic ministries “beyond the gates.” 

 News From the Field

  Ø  Susan Gregory, wife of Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory, Fort Benning, Georgia, sends this testimony: “I just returned from the Protestant Women of the Chapel International Conference in Dallas.  I had three roommates, like me, from Fort Benning.  We had a great time getting to know each other.  One evening, when I entered our room, my roommates were awake and having a great conversation about the Holy Spirit.  For the next thirty minutes or so, I was able to share my testimony concerning the Holy Spirit and what He means in my daily walk with the Lord.  God has given me many opportunities.  Here I am, at a conference with 1,000 women, the wife of a great Chaplain, and having the privilege to share my love of the Father, His Son and the ONE I absolutely cannot dismiss, the Holy Spirit.”

  Ø  A great big welcome home to Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels.  He just returned from Iraq to join Teresa, and daughter Maygan, Fort Riley, Kansas.  They are packing up to move again; this time to Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Send your notes of welcome home to Jeff at: terrrific4t@hotmail.com

  Ø  We are sending this special prayer alert to our chaplaincy family around the world.  It concerns Jonathan, the oldest son of French Chaplain Michel Layes.  I am including this sad note as you remember Jonathan, and especially the Layes family in your prayers: “This morning the diagnosis of the medics is that Jonathan does not have long to live.  He does not have the possibility of ever breathing correctly, only staying alive with the help of a machine.  Even the doctors wept as they gave us this news; telling us what a great example of Christ’s suffering has been revealed through the suffering of Jonathan.  Jonathan is still smiling; with his smile he is saying to us, ‘Everything is okay.’  We pray that his departure to be with the Lord through eternity will take place in a loving way.”  Jonathan has been bed-ridden for many years.  Through a mishap during what is thought to be routine surgery, he was left with unbelievable and painful conditions; paralyzed from the neck down, and had to be cared for around the clock.  Chaplain Layes’ French Military chaplaincy ministries were cut short; taking an early retirement to take care of this son.  Send your prayer notes to the Layes at: Michel_layes@hotmail.com

  Ø  Army Chaplain (MAJ) Randy Imhoff, Fort Drum, New York, sends this latest report on Sheena, their adult daughter: “Sheena recently received her new, lighter wheelchair and her Scalamobil.  We are now able to get her up and down the stairs; saving wear and tear on our knees.  She continues to do well.  We pray for God’s grace and continued healing.”

  Ø  Newly appointed Army Chaplain (1LT) Ismael Serrano, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, sends us this report on his wife, Shelly’s, father, Tony Rodriquez: “My father-in-law suffered a heart attack; this led to five stints, and then another heart attack.  Also Shelly’s grandfather, Fedencia Valdez, had a heart attack.  Continue to pray for Shelly’s father and grandfather.”

 A Special Welcome Home Ceremony

Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Roberson, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, just returned home with his unit.  Reverend Wayne Roberson, and his wife Charlotte, part of our Commission staff, were there to watch the plane land, see their son step off into the arms of his wife and four young daughters, and a marvelous post-deployment ceremony.  One of the local newspapers did a feature story on Amanda, Chaplain Roberson’s wife, and their four young daughters.  In part the story states: “When Chaplain Roberson returned from Baghdad, his wife and four daughters couldn’t get to him quick enough for a hug, a kiss, a peek, a hello.  Amanda, his wife, said, ‘Coming off the plane they all look the same; so, you are just looking for your soldier.’  Finally, when the soldiers were released to greet their families, cries of joy erupted, and his seven year old, Hannah, tripped over a metal bleacher, slamming her knee into the steps.  As much as it hurt, the ear-to-ear grin did not leave her face.  Her daddy was home.  Amanda Roberson said that she cannot wait to get back to everyday life with her husband.  She missed experiencing day-to-day life with him; having him there to express the joys of each day, or, the sorrows of the day.  She stated that it’s ‘more than what we could have ever hoped for.  We hoped he would be back before Christmas.  We never anticipated he would be home for Thanksgiving.’”  Send your notes of welcome home to the Roberson’s at: 8396ja@att.net

  Special Announcements

  ü  Dr. Keith Munford, CPE Supervisor and our Field Coordinator for Clinical Ministries, is encouraging all Clinical Chaplains to check the new Church of God Clinical Chaplains website, www.cogccn.com  The website has been established as a forum for fellow Chaplains regarding topics of interest, prayer concerns, job openings and other needs.  You can contact Dr. Munford at: kmunford@siskinrehab.org

  ü  Dr. Oliver McMahan, Director of the Doctorate of Ministries program, Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee, sends this special announcement: “The Church of God Seminary offers a D.Min. degree that is only 36 hours beyond a M.Div. degree.  You can select the area of concentration and are only required to attend a tw0-week campus cohort each October.”  For more information concerning this very flexible Doctorate of Ministries program, contact Dr. Anthony Lombard, Registrar, at: alombard@cogts.edu

  Finally

 This past week, I had the occasion of being the guest speaker at a Veteran’s service, Middle Valley Church of God, Hixson, Tennessee; Senior Pastor, Law Enforcement Chaplain Mitch McClure.  Chaplain McClure is no stranger to our chaplaincy ministries.  He takes seriously his responsibility to “pastor a community; not just a local church.”  Present for this moving ceremony which honored deceased and current vets, were Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson and Tennessee State Representative Richard Floyd.  Both of these politicians love the Lord and are committed, in their government and civic services, to keep supporting our military, veterans and family members.  Chaplain McClure noted that since he has been the pastor at the church, he has conducted the funeral for many of our “old vets.”  One of those veterans was noted for being the first person to set foot on the French shores of Normandy during that great World War II invasion.  That “old vet” is now with the Lord.  I recently read that there is only one surviving American veteran of World War I; and, that some 1,000 veterans of World War II pass away each day.  While we delight in these modern-day ministries, at the same time, we must not forget that somebody made possible these ministries and the freedom that we have around the world to exercise them.  Chaplain McClure said it right, “Hug a vet everyday; thanking her/him for their commitment and service.”  It is an honor to honor those old soldiers of the past; and, all the new ones, carrying out great ministry exploits “beyond the gates” to some unbelievable areas of the world, with, unbelievable results.  

  Sincerely,

Robert D. Crick

Contacts

 Director, Dr. Robert D. Crick, cricksot@att.net

Full-time Chaplaincy and Public Relations, Dr. Jerry McNabb, jmcnabb@cogchaplains.com

Community Service Chaplaincy and Training, Dr. Doc Williams, dwilliams@cogchaplains.com

Community Service Chaplaincy Administrative Information, wroberson@cogchaplains.com

Disaster and Compassionate Care, Reverend Tom Offutt, toffutt@cogchaplains.com

International and General Information, chapcm@cogchaplains.com

 Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com

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