Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 4/30/10
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:04 am
CHURCH OF GOD
CHAPLAINS COMMISSION
Dr. Robert D. Crick, Director
Weekly Update April 30, 2010
Choice Christian Greetings!
As all of you know, generally, a ministry begins with a dream/vision given to one, or a few, individuals. Ministry visions and the fruition of that vision does not happen in board rooms, within our bureaucratic systems, or in all those other places where egomaniacs meet with that singular agenda to honor self and not the Lord. A real vision from the Lord humbles each of us. The first question that one might ask is, “Why me, Lord? Why would you give me such an awesome responsibility?” My mind goes back to Nehemiah; the Lord placed upon his heart to restore Israel after the long 70 year captivity carried out by Babylon and later Persia. I can imagine that, initially, Nehemiah questioned why the Lord had selected him. The conversation could have gone something like this, “Rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Temple!?! Where do we get the goods? What about all those stubborn bureaucrats in Jerusalem who are living rather comfortably with their captors?”
You will remember, in Nehemiah the first chapter, that this layman of the Lord had a serious conversation with a handful of his brothers from Judah and, then, with the Lord. His brothers told him what was going on in Jerusalem: the people were in great trouble; they had been disgraced; the walls of Jerusalem were broken down; and the gates had been burned with fire. After weeping over this desolate news, he then had a conversation with the Lord. It began with his admiration for an awesome God, lifting up God’s covenant of love that could be depended upon night and day. Then, he confessed his own sins, the sins of the Israelites, sins that were undoubtedly the reason for God’s people being in captivity. It was after this significant dialogue with himself, his brothers, and finally the Lord that he took on the awesome task of restoring God’s Temple and all of Jerusalem. As is typical with God, these awesome tasks begin with a person whose heart is clean enough to hear precisely what “God wants to do through me, not what I want to do in spite of Him.”
On May 22, 2010, we will dedicate our new, one-million dollar facility, the Church of God Chaplaincy and Care Center in Oradea, Romania. The mission of this center is to provide medical services to the underprivileged, benevolence goods to those suffering disasters and other crises, and chaplaincy training and development for Romania and Eastern Europe. In 2002, during a conference in Oradea, three of us met to discuss the dream and vision for such an awesome possibility. As is so typical with God, He gave us a dream, and then, for the next several years, we had the responsibility of raising the funds, dealing with all the legal matters (the bureaucracy that, for the most part, got in the way of the process), and all those other things that come with fulfilling God’s vision. What a privilege to carry out these visions of the Lord, even with all the sweat, tears, time, and energy extended to such a vast project. It is not by works of righteousness which we do this, but rather, the mercy that God shows to us in allowing us to be part of His plan for humanity. As long as it is His vision, and ultimately to honor Him, then we will continue to have such awesome possibilities. To God be the glory.
Special Announcement
CPE Supervisor, Jose Cedillo, manager of CPE programs, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, as of April 19, 2010, was certified as a Clinical Pastoral Education Full Supervisor. Send your notes of congratulations to Chaplain Cedillo, and his family, at jcedillo@aol.com. It should be noted that with this full supervision certification, Chaplain Cedillo became the first Pentecostal Latino CPE Full Supervisor in the nation.
Chaplaincy News From the Field
1. Army Chaplain (CPT) Raymond Pettitt, Germany, tells us that he will be deploying to Afghanistan June, 2010. I know that you will continue to pray for Chaplain Pettitt and his family.
2. NASCAR Chaplain, and Training Instructor for the Chaplains Commission, Chaplain Vernon Landreth, Barren Springs, Virginia reports: “Our NASCAR Chaplaincy and Training program was featured in the Pulaski County Patriot. We are continuing to work in this specialized ministry. We have the privilege of conducting chapel services at the track and one on one counseling ministries to a number of individuals.”
3. Reverend Otniel Pesel, Germany, worked for a number of years as an Administrative Assistant with the Chaplains Commission. After he graduated from our seminary, he returned to Austria where he conducted a one-year clinical program in a hospital setting. We are happy to let you know that he is now a part of the European Theological Seminary faculty and staff. You may send your notes of congratulations to Otto at: opesel@cogchaplains.com
4. Campus Chaplain David Wessell, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, reports that “Students continue to make their way to my office wanting me to help them resolve issues involving rebellious children, domestic violence, and other crises. In one of my classes on stress and mental health, a student shared with me that her sister still had not come to grips with the recent death of their father. She had displayed suicidal tendencies. Her sister reports that, through the Holy Spirit, God had spoken to her in my class, and she was able then to minister to her sister. I am amazed at the opportunities that God has given to me to minister on a secular campus.”
5. Clinical Chaplain John Corcoran, Miamisburg, Ohio, continues to serve as the President of the Ohio Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and works with his county as a consultant on suicide prevention.
6. Army Chaplain (MAJ) David Santiago-Cruz, Germany, reports that he recently received orders for a new assignment at Fort Myers, Virginia.
7. Army Chaplain (COL) Bryan Walker, currently deployed to Iraq, sent this note: “You have been in my prayers as you have made trips to Indonesia and other places. I rejoice with you for what God is doing in Asia and other parts of the world. I deeply appreciate your prayers and support of Sheryl, as well as our kids. I am sorry that I will miss the upcoming General Assembly and the opportunity to thank you for your many years of ministry. Seasons may change, but ministry always moves forward. My thoughts and prayers remain with you as a mentor and a friend.”
8. Air Force Chaplain, Major, Eddie L. Jones, currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, invites all of his friends, as well as chaplaincy colleagues, to his retirement ceremony, to be held May 31, 2010, at the Scott Air Force Base Chapel. Retired Air Force Chaplain, Colonel, Benjamin Pérez, Director of the CAPS program, Lee University, will be officiating the retirement ceremony. In a later update, we will give you an overview of the significant and exemplary ministries of Chaplain Jones. You may send your notes of congratulations and a “job well done” to Chaplain Jones and his family at: jonese2781@msn.com
9. Army Chaplain (LTC) Calvin Eastham, currently stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, has notified us that his official retirement from the US Army will take place on June 5, 2010, at the main chapel at Fort Sill. In the near future, we will be sending you additional information concerning this very important event.
10. Prison Chaplain, Dr. Betty Standifer, Chattanooga, Tennessee, reports: “In my last visit, I spotted two women that I just felt led to. One is an alcoholic who doesn’t see any hope; the other is a woman who has much anger, which creates internal tension, as well as problems with others. Both of these have been touched by the Lord, are reading their Bibles, and praying. As I visited these women, I noticed that one of the guards was tracking me, listening to everything that I said. When I got ready to leave the prison, the guard put her hands on my shoulder and said, ‘Ms. Betty, God has many stars to go into your crown for coming to be with these women.’ I learned that the guard is going through various problems at home, and she coveted my prayers. What a joy to be a part of such a great ministry.”
11. University of Tennessee Chaplain, John Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee, states: “I headed up a tour for Army Chief of Chaplains (MAJ GEN) Douglas Carver this week. Also, I have been asked to serve on the National Prayer Commission, participating in a special program entitled “Cry Out America.”
12. Army Chaplain (LTC) Mickey Jett, currently deployed to Afghanistan, sent us this report: “As I was walking by the emergency room of our medical facility, I spotted US soldiers hustling and bustling about. An emergency event had taken place, where three of our soldiers were seriously wounded. It was my privilege to be onsite to offer to them the comfort, grace, and healing of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep our soldiers in your daily prayers.”
A Special Report From Haiti
The Chaplains Commission Ministries Director of Training and Community Service Chaplaincy, Dr. Jake Popejoy, just returned from Haiti after coordinating the first phase of our chaplaincy trauma and debriefing ministries for a nation that has been devastated by tragedies. Dr. Popejoy reports that in the first debriefing session, there were over 100 pastors. Our program in Haiti will be a one-year program, broken into three phases: (1) Fact Finding – The initial two-day training session for the 100 pastors and leaders mentioned; (2) A Special Three-Day Conference – This conference will identify those pastoral leaders capable of serving as our Commission debriefing personnel; (3) Each month, a two-day course/debriefing will be offered to groups of 30-50 Haitian pastors and other leaders, under what we have labeled “Post-Earthquake Response for Haiti.” These workshops will offer seminar and crisis response programs which include the following: Basic understanding of the dynamics of trauma and crisis; understanding of the fight or flight responses; basic understanding of grief and its effect; identification of fear and its impact on individuals, families and systems; change through transitions; new beginnings and the hope of full recovery. The second day of this special training/seminar will offer the participants, in small group settings, an opportunity for personnel trauma debriefing. Phase three will also bring about the building of a permanent trauma/debriefing/counseling center.
This one-year program will cost approximately $100,000. We would invite our chaplains, as well as others who love these ministries, to send a donation in support of this program to the Church of God Chaplains Commission.
Finally
Last week, I had the privilege of being present for the Seminary’s Hall of Prophets Induction of the late J. Frank Culpepper, former pastor, Overseer, Executive Committee Member, and Executive Liaison to our chaplaincy ministries. I knew this pioneer of the faith through most of my 50 years of involvement in Church of God ministries. Among his many loves for Church of God ministry, he thrived at his best when he was with Church of God military chaplains and Ministry to the Military personnel. I traveled around the world with Brother Culpepper and witnessed first-hand his love for hurting humanity, his dynamic preaching, and, most especially, his love for his family. His son, General Overseer Raymond Culpepper, proudly lifted up the many attributes of this loving father and church leader during the ceremony. The Church of God Chaplains Commission, with its 33-year history, was built and maintained by those who caught the vision of the significance of ministry “beyond the gates.” These are individuals and leaders who knew that God did not save us to rest comfortably within the “temple;” but saved us to send us to the marketplace. Our Lord makes no distinction between the temple and the marketplace; both are sacred to Him. Our thanks go to these pioneers, Brother Culpepper and thousands of others, who have demonstrated that God is the God of both the temple and the marketplace. Chaplaincy, better than any ministry I know, exemplifies this principle.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love one another.
John 15:16-17 (NLT)
Contacts
Director, Dr. Robert D. Crick, cricksot@att.net
Full-time Chaplaincy, Dr. Jerry McNabb, jmcnabb@cogchaplains.com
Community Service Chaplaincy and Training, Dr. Jake Popejoy, jakepopejoy@aol.com
Public Relations and Recruitment, wroberson@cogchaplains.com
Special Projects, 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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