Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 9/11/2009
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Choice Christian Greetings!
On 9/11/2001, we were going about with business as usual at the Chaplains Commission office. Suddenly, someone rushed in to tell us about the terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. It was as if time stood still. We watched these infamous events, wondering their fatal outcome. One of the many stories that came out of that terrible ordeal was that of a young Hispanic woman, trapped in one of the towers, who called her mother on the cell phone to say, “Goodbye mom; there is no way out of this.” Sadly, she was scheduled to be married in just a few short weeks; and, she very calmly advised her mother to take the wedding gown back to receive a refund. This, and some 3,000 other stories, tell us not only about the death of those trapped in this ordeal of hate and passion, but the network of family members whose lives were not only interrupted, but permanently changed forever. This week, we declare to all of those who read the update, “We will not forget.” We will not forget for many reasons. Hate leads to such deadly results; and, because of this and other conflicts and tragedies, we must train chaplains and other pastoral specialists to be there in the middle of such pain.
Those who died on 9/11 came from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds; white and black, Asian and Hispanic. We remember the firefighters, policemen, Father Mychal Judge, a New York Fire Department Chaplain, and all the other first responders who did not give a second thought as they rushed up the stairs to rescue the dying; and, in the process of that attempt, they became a victim as well. We remember our own chaplains, Law Enforcement Chaplain Raymond McCranie and FBI Chaplains Gerald McGinnis and Jake Popejoy, Dr. Thomas Grassano, Director of Urban New York Ministries, and others who were on the scene at Ground Zero within a few short days to minister to those whose lives had been shattered and were walking around traumatized wondering, “What do I do now?” Hundreds of chaplains – many who had been trained through our Chaplains Commission’s Community Service Chaplain Training Programs – responded attending to the victim’s families for days, some for weeks. In addition, they attended to all those who gathered at the vicinity of Ground Zero wondering, “How did this happen; and how do we pick up the pieces and live again?”
Of course, 9/11 also signals for us that out of the rubble of a terrorist attack a nation must come together again to rebuild those buildings, to remember the victims and their family members, and to declare to ourselves that each day each of us will work harder to bridge that awesome chasm between love and hate. In small ways, it should compel us to make sure there are no strangers among us; to build new unity; to protect humanity at every level, whether adult or child; and, as is our chaplains motto, to go beyond the gates with a message of unconditional love to those who live daily with fear, hunger, mental distress. We must reach those trapped in social, economic and spiritual ghettos, where for tens of millions, everyday is a 9/11 event. To me, that is why God has raised up an army of chaplains. These events will continue to happen in the forms of tsunamis, terrorist attacks, Katrina’s, Columbine shootings, millions starving in faraway places, and right next door, where some predator is abusing an innocent child. Chaplaincy and 9/11 fit together as a tremendous challenge, as well as a tremendous opportunity for ministry. Thank God for each of our chaplains; they are the responders to tragedies and pain in a world that has lost its way, and whose victims are waiting for a chaplaincy response.
Community Service Chaplaincy
We could not do without our some 3,000 volunteer chaplains who are serving in 71 different countries. It is hard to believe that in a short 10 years, we have offered our regular, 47-hour and 27-hour Community Service Chaplain Training Courses to more than 6,000 pastors and laity. Those who take these courses know that they will be doing chaplaincy ministries on a volunteer basis, with the same passion and commitment of a full-time chaplain. They minister to some of our world’s most forgotten; including widows, residents of nursing homes, juvenile’s entangled in the court’s prison systems, and so many other areas of needs. Here are samplings of their ministries:
Chaplain Russell Lawley, Cordova, Alabama, reports that in his Celebration Recovery Ministry, they average more than 100 at each session. And, in a recent gathering, eight were saved and two were baptized in water.
Chaplain Michael Denney, Chillicothe, Ohio, started a chaplaincy training center, Crossway Marketplace Ministries, whereby they train workers for their area jails and prisons, nursing homes and hospitals.
Chaplain Arlis Beavers, Burnside, Kentucky, has developed a chaplaincy ministry to teenage boys who are addicted to drugs and are incarcerated. Also, this ministry reaches 15 public schools in Pulaski County; a program to educate students concerning drug problems/addictions.
Chaplain Russell Terrell, Middletown, Ohio, reports that in recent jail services, 16 inmates came forward for salvation.
Chaplain Jessie May Newman-Munson, McDonough, Georgia, has been doing volunteer chaplaincy ministries for 25 years. These ministries include services for 300 inmates each week, as well as outreaches for immigrants. This past month these outreaches resulted in reports of 20 who were saved.
Special Reports
Our sincere congratulations go to Army Chaplain (LTC-P) Bryan Walker, Fort Stewart, Georgia, who was selected for the prestigious rank of Full Colonel (O-6). Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Walker, his wife Sharon, and his entire family at: bryan.walker@us.army.mil
Congratulations are in order for Army Chaplain (CPT-P) Eugene Mack, Fort Carson, Colorado, who, in a few days will pin on the rank of Major. Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Mack, his wife Waveen, and his entire family at: wavmack@msn.com
Prayer Needs
Pray for our chaplains who will be deploying within the next couple of weeks; Army Chaplain (LTC-P) Bryan Walker, Fort Stewart, Georgia to Iraq, Army Chaplain (CPT) Meghan Hodge, Fort Stewart, Georgia, to Iraq, and Army Chaplain (CPT) Abraham Sarmiento, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia to Afghanistan.
Law Enforcement Chaplain Roger Daniel, McCalla, Alabama, has requested prayer for his brother, Reginald, a pastor in Iowa who was involved in a critical automobile accident that resulted in the death of Edith, his long-term ministry companion. Chaplain Daniel also encourages us to pray for this couple’s dear son, Derrick, who was very close to his mom.
Other Chaplaincy News
Army Chaplain (MAJ) Taz Randles, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, reports: “I am involved in an exciting and rewarding ministry; one of the most unique congregations you would find anywhere in terms of age, nationality and diversity. Our worship and singing is led by a pediatrician, and the services are attended by military retirees, DOD civilians, as well as their family members. Additionally, I am privilege to work with our wounded warriors who are in transition following illnesses and combat injuries. We worship in a chapel that was completed in 1931. It is both an honor and a joy to bring the Word each Sunday in a place with such a rich tradition of healing and sacrificial service to God and country.”
Army Chaplain (CPT) Ismael Serrano, deployed to Iraq, reports: “I am requesting special prayer for my brother-in-law, James, who recently had a heart attack. He is only 28-years-old, and is a minister. We recently had a prayer breakfast; most successful. I was able to participate in a 10-mile marathon; and following the marathon, we had a great gospel worship service. Thirty came to the altar and five gave their hearts to the Lord.”
Congratulations are in order for Pastoral Counselor Lloyd Looney, and his wife, Connie, Dacula, Georgia, on their 25th wedding anniversary. I have known Lloyd and Connie all of these years; and, I am encouraging all of you to send your notes of congratulations to them at: lloylny@bellsouth.net
Clinical Chaplain Richard Gilbert, Vancouver, Washington, requests prayer for his wife, Patricia. She is having surgery this week for the removal of a tumor in her stomach.
Dr. Betty Standifer, a university professor, Chattanooga, Tennessee, ministers weekly to women in lock down at a local prison. She reminds us in her reports that we cannot forget that these are “our mothers and daughters.”
Finally
On this week of 9/11, we are aware that we have many military chaplains who are deployed, and three who will be deployed to critical combat areas within a week or so. In Cleveland, our headquarters town, recently the 252nd Military Police Company were deployed to Iraq for the third time. On their first deployment, Army Chaplain (CPT) Aaron Jones, Washington, DC, was assigned to the 252nd. Initially he was a stranger to the men, women and family members of this unit; but, he instantly earned the privilege to be “their chaplain.” Even after all of these years, as this unit gets ready to deploy again, they remember his love and his ministry. Many of them still tell stories of how he led them to the Lord while they were on deployment four years ago; and, how he still keeps in contact with them and their families. They lovingly call him “our pastor.” What made possible such bonding? It’s no secret. It comes from what chaplains learn in their initial call, their training, and their passion for this ministry. It’s called “unconditional love.” Chaplain Jones is an African-America, while most of this unit is made up of whites. Unconditional love bridges, in deep significant ways, black and whites, as well as all other ethnic groups. It’s that spiritual awakening, which was described following the Azusa Street Revival in California as a blessing which erases color and all other man-made barriers that keep us apart from each other. Unfortunately, following that great outpouring, those color and other barriers were put back up again. But chaplaincy at its best, breaks down those barriers, and, for the common good, unites all of us into the Body of Christ.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
As the prophet says, “People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fade away. But the word of God will last forever.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (NLT)
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, tomoffutt@att.net
Prayer and Family Care, Elaine Offutt, elaineoffutt@att.net
General Information, chapcm@cogchaplains.com
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
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