Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 6/18/2010
Friday, June 18, 2010 at 8:39 am
Choice Christian Greetings!
One of my long-term friends, going back to the 1960s, is Ministry to the Military leader Roy Humphrey. Roy and I go way back, too many years to admit. I have been with him in Ministry to the Military and Chaplaincy events in Korea, Germany, the Philippines and throughout the United States. To use an old expression, “We are joined at the hips.” Today, Roy is recovering from cancer surgery/treatments. I want all of you who love Roy and Ann, their family, and their ministries around the world to take Roy Humphrey to the very throne of God in your prayers. To me, he is more than a blood brother. He is a brother with much integrity. He loves the ministry, and his latest work in the Philippines is an example of that love. In one of the most devastated areas of the Philippines, you will find a delightful ministry to thousands of children. This ministry provides food, worship, and training for some of the world’s most needy people. Night and day Roy and Ann raise funds for this dynamic ministry. It is rightful, biblical, and in our souls to pray that God would bring healing to Roy Humphrey. Roy, we all love you; your face will forever be burned on our hearts. May God, who has proven to you and me on so many occasions to be miraculous, once again, intervene on your behalf. As a footnote from Lena Barber, Roy’s daughter, we learned that even while in the hospital, struggling with his own difficult and critical situation, he has been a dynamic witness to other patients, nursing staff, and, as is typical of Roy, anybody that comes within a few feet of him. Roy has never met a stranger, because every stranger is a potential, dynamic Christian with gifts for ministry that can be used in the same manner that God has used Roy and Ann.
The Retirement of Army Chaplain (LTC) Calvin Eastham
Chaplain Eastham went out in style! Which, you would expect of one who has had such a distinguished and outstanding Army chaplaincy career. The retirement ceremony started with a dynamic prayer by another Church of God Chaplain, Army Chaplain (CPT) Danny Claypoole. There were troops from all the major units, a full band, and even the cavalry sitting with distinction on their beautiful horses. As you would expect, of the 42 who were retiring on this special occasion, Chaplain Eastham was the first to be called forth. Having been honored a day or two earlier with the Legion of Merit medal, the Commanding General gave Chaplain Eastham personal commendations for a “job well done.” Following Calvin’s formal retirement, forty-one others came behind him representing military individuals and spouses from throughout the United States. Following this formal ceremony, we watched “passing in review,” with bells and whistles, and a final rendition sung by the band members, “Old soldiers never die, they just pass away.” After hugs and tears and much celebration, we then assembled at the Officer’s Club for a special “Calvin Eastham Luncheon.” The Command Chaplain, Chaplain Jones, followed by pastors, chapel personnel, friends of Calvin and Barbara, to include me, the Director of our Chaplains Commission, all underscored the love that we have for this unusual couple; and we give our many thanks for their “pastor’s heart” in rendering chaplaincy ministries around the world. I summed up my remarks by saying that when my brother died suddenly, Calvin Eastham was the first one to receive my call. In times of crisis, as well as the good times, you want a true blue brother or sister close at hand to be praying for you and loving you through your crisis. That, more than anything else, epitomizes the ministry of Calvin and Barbara.
Chaplaincy News
· Civil Air Patrol Chaplain and Pastor, Paul Harne, Hagerstown, Maryland, writes: “A few weeks ago we had a great Memorial Day service. Sixty Veterans were present; members of the local Marine Corps League, and a great congregation as we honored our vets and their families. All the vets joined us at the end of the service for a meal, with my congregation giving a great ‘thank you.’ It was a great day!”
· Circuit Rider Chaplain William Smith, Lindenhurst, New York, sends this note: “As you know, we are not stationed or assigned to a specific area; rather, we travel in our motor home, singing in churches and promoting chaplaincy. Chaplaincy has taught us, with conviction, the essentials of really being sensitive to an individual’s upbringing and core beliefs. We were asked a couple of nights back, following our musical presentation, to pray for a family whose son had recently committed suicide. He was in his 40s. We know that God is a God of love and cares for those who are hurting. While we have many questions about this situation, we will leave the answers to God.”
· Campus Ministries Coordinator, John Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee, informs us that his dear mom passed away on May 28, 2010. He writes, “I was with her when she made her journey to heaven. She opened her eyes, smiled, and was then with the Lord. Everyone, including the nursing staff, sensed her spirit and her love for the Lord; and they were all drawn to her room. They stated that they could sense her peace, her holiness, and her presence with the Lord. In the course of her time in this long-term facility, 16 nursing home persons were led to the Lord at mom’s bedside. In her weakness and infirmity, God used my mom and the Holy Spirit to attract others to Him. I have been blessed to have a wonderful heritage.” Send your notes of prayer support to John and his family at: revjeu@yahoo.com
· Army Chaplain (MAJ) Taz Randles, US Army Medical Command, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, sent this testimony: “We all miss Chaplain Howell; he was an inspiration. I recently conducted several baptisms in our physical therapy pool. It was a wonderful blessing and opportunity. In my more recent assignment, I will be counseling the wounded, ill and injured soldiers from the Warrior Transition Brigade. I look forward to more direct ministry contact with our soldiers.”
· Community Service Chaplain Daniel Wessell, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, notes: “Thank you so much for your prayers for Cheryl following her automobile accident on May 5th. She is now home, but faces a long recovery. She may not be able to drive for six months or more. She is hoping to get back to her mental health practice by mid-July. In looking at the car, following the accident, I can assure you that this was a miracle. So, we are thankful that the injuries were not anymore severe and that God gave her His grace and sustaining goodness.”
· Gospel Rescue Mission Chaplain Julius Martin, El Paso, Texas, sent us a full report of their new facility, which will provide them with men’s dormitories and other much needed space. He gives thanks to God for this new building which will provide for the poor of the greater El Paso area. Chaplain Martin has been a long-term Gospel Rescue Chaplain and administrator.
· Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Jonathan Hurt, San Antonio, Texas, informs us that he is preparing for a move to Hurlburt Field, Florida in August. He requests prayer for the family of a young airman, whose dad died in the local hospital the night after his son’s graduation from basic training. He met the family at the hotel and gave them much support.
· Chaplain Jackie Williford, Jessup, Georgia, informs us that she is employed as a staff member and chaplain at a local internal medicine doctor’s office. She states, “I am the first person that the patient sees after the doctor confirms the test results, whether good or bad. Recently, I had the opportunity to pray with a patient after she had been informed that she had lung cancer. After treatment, she walked up to my desk, and I didn’t recognize her. The change was unbelievable. She informed me that she was cancer free.”
· Nursing Home Chaplain Bobby Williford, Jessup, Georgia, reports: “In this ministry, I have the opportunity to hear and witness confessions of those who are struggling. One stated recently, “I know I am going to die, but I am not ready.” Three days ago I received a call from another nursing home asking me to come and visit with a man. Upon arriving, I learned that he was near death and in great need of prayer. After a time of comforting and praying, he assured me that his sins were now forgiven and that he was prepared to be with the Lord. This is a wonderful ministry.”
· Our congratulations go to Chaplain, Dr. Jerry Cash, Southside, Alabama. He recently graduated from Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision.
· Army Chaplain (LTC) Mickey Jett, deployed to Afghanistan, reports: “I conducted a memorial service for one of our Canadian soldiers. His name was Kevin McKay. We gathered at the NATO flags, lowered the Canadian flag, and had a most solemn ceremony. This young soldier only had two days left on his deployment period. Each Monday at our Command Headquarters, we start off the morning brief with a remembrance ceremony; in which our nations that have lost a military member are highlighted. It doesn’t matter which nation is represented, we all suffer together. May God help us to bring this war to an end, and bring peace into our world.”
· Navy Chaplain (CMDR) Barry Metzger, reports that his eye surgery went well. He underwent a partial corneal transplant in his right eye. This is a very delicate surgery. I know that all of you will continue to pray for Chaplain Metzger as he recovers. We give God the praise for His healing through our medical personnel.
Finally
In dealing with our more than 3,000 chaplains, serving around the world in 73 different countries, we sometimes forget that “their families” are also a genuine part of our Commission’s ministry and mission. These chaplains’ families include spouses who are gifted as medical doctors, educators, and chaplaincy workers; we simple could not do this job without their help. Also, let us not forget the children. These kids, for the most part, have grown up in a chaplaincy family and environment. They represent the very heart and soul of this ministry. Today, I want to share with you, in part, a letter that I received from Veterans Affairs Chaplain Michael Doan, and his wife Cindy. The letter concerns their beautiful daughter, Bethany, who, just a few weeks ago, graduated from high school. Let me read to you parts of this letter:
Bethany has always been dedicated to her studies and to trusting God, who has been her light and has guided her path in all endeavors. One of our treasured memories of Bethany’s development has been our involvement in teaching her to read. She began reading on her own at the age of four; we can still see her face beaming with joy from those exciting days. At four, she began her violin lessons. And whether well or sick, she would jump out of the car and take off running just to be on-time for her music lesson. Over her short teen years, she has been an avid reader, reading thousands of books. We use to check out 50 library books at a time; she never could get enough pleasure from reading. And now, at 16, she is already involved in completing an associate’s degree at a local college. She is still searching for her future university and for medical school, which she plans to complete on her way to becoming a child psychiatrist. Keep Bethany in your prayers. We know that she is called of God to fulfill a longing in her heart to help mentally and developmentally challenged children.
There you have it; one of hundreds of our chaplaincy kids, whose special gifts join with the giftedness of our chaplains and spouses making us an unbeatable team in taking ministry “beyond the gates.”
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (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
RDC/als
Correspondence
Categories: Weekly Update
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