Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 6/29/10
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Choice Christian Greetings!
Within a few days, July 4th, we will celebrate our nation’s birthday; July 4, 1776. Of course, long before this very special day, a lot was going on in this “new world.” Already, there was the establishment of colonies, colleges, and, certainly a deep and profound religious foundation. And, with the beginning of this new country, the United States of America, came what has proven to be a long and successful chaplaincy connection. Even before our new nation was legally established, already there was a well organized and successful chaplaincy corps. George Washington, in 1775, called for all the denominations, at that time the mainline ones, to send chaplains to be part of the Continental Army. From 1775, until this date, including all the conflicts this nation has encountered, there have been military chaplains representing our numerous denominations and faith groups. And, even as I write this update, giving praise for our history of chaplaincy ministries, I am acutely aware that we have several Church of God chaplains in harm’s way. We pray daily for them and for their family members. A couple of them, Army Chaplains Mickey Jett and Patti Nichols, should be back from deployments in time for our upcoming General Assembly. We cannot wait to hear the stories of their ministries.
I know that many of you will be participating in July 4th patriotic ceremonies. Send us a report of your activities. May God continue to keep our nation strong; daily acknowledging that this nation, under God, was built on strong spiritual principles.
Notes Concerning our 73rd Chaplains Commission Pre-Assembly Conference
The theme for the upcoming Pre-Assembly Conference is “Maintaining Our Pentecostal Base While Extending Our Ministry Boundaries.” Our full-time chaplains, their families, and a number of our Community Service Chaplains, as well as retired chaplains, will gather beginning Saturday, July 24th. Our first Pre-Assembly Chaplains Conference was held during the 1980 General Assembly. There were only a few of us; but, from this humble beginning, these Pre-Assembly conferences have proven to be times of shared fellowship and serious reflection.
If you are a Community Service Chaplain, or a retired chaplain, and you would like to be a part of our conference, please notify Ashley Shoemake at 423-478-7706 or chapcm@bellsouth.net While we will not be responsible for providing hotel rooms or travel expenses for any persons other than our full-time chaplains, we would welcome our CSC chaplains and retired chaplains as full participants for all of our Pre-Assembly Chaplains Conference events. As stated, the conference begins on Saturday evening, July 24th, and continues through Monday evening, July 26th, with our Honors Dinner. You must notify us so that we can reserve a spot for you.
For Jeanette and me, this General Assembly gathering is indeed special. We will be completing 33 years as your Chaplains Commission Director, and your greatest supporter. We leave this assignment with a heart full of great memories; rising out of that initial step you took, with us, to accept a call to chaplaincy ministries.
Chaplaincy News
· Army Chaplain (MAJ) David Santiago-Cruz, currently stationed in Germany, notes: “Pray for us as we get ready for our new assignment at Fort Myer, Virginia. This month I ended my pastorate as Senior Chaplain of the Panzer Chapel Contemporary Service, and, concluded my service as Family Life Chaplain for the Stuttgart area.” (It should be noted that Chaplain Santiago-Cruz received the Army Commendation Medal, recognizing his outstanding ministries as Family Life Chaplain.)
· Army Chaplain (CPT) Ismael Serrano, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, a recent returnee from Iraq, notes: “During the month of May, more than 1,000 of my soldiers received our Safety Stand-down on Suicide Prevention instruction. Also, my wife and I had the opportunity to attend a Strong Bonds marriage event. While there, my wife had the opportunity to meet many of the soldiers of the battalion I was attached with during my Iraqi deployment. She met the Battalion Commander and Sergeant Major that I had the privilege of baptizing while in Iraq.”
· Army Chaplain (MAJ) Everett Franklin, Fort Hood, Texas, sent this report: “This summer I will complete my residency in Family Life Chaplaincy Ministries; and, in August, my family and I will move to our new assignment at Mannheim, Germany.”
· Navy Chaplain (LT) Harry Hansen, assigned to the USS Carter-Hall, out of Norfolk, Virginia, reports: “Continue to pray for our crew and their family members as we prepare for deployment. We are currently in the middle of our pre-deployment work-ups. We have a vibrant ministry developing; weekly bible studies, prayer services, and many opportunities for worship.” (Recently, Chaplain Hansen received the Navy Achievement Medal, recognizing his ministries at CAOC 7, Larissa, Greece).
Update on Ministry to the Military Leader Roy Humphrey
I just spoke with Ann; getting an update on my brother and colleague, Roy Humphrey. Due to some serious complications following surgery several weeks ago, Roy is back in the hospital being treated for what the doctor’s have now determined as cases of bacteria. Apparently the bacteria struggles are making it very difficult for Roy to take in solid foods; necessitating other means to keep his strength up until the medical staff finds the causes for the bacteria. In regard to Roy’s trust in the Lord and his dependency upon the Holy Spirit, that is well in place. Every day, regardless of his condition, according to Ann and others, Roy Humphrey is the “same” Roy Humphrey. He wakes up with the Lord on his heart, and it shows up in everything that he does, and he goes to bed in the same manner. Even in his weakened condition, anyone who gets close to his bed hears the same delightful attitude of, “How are you? Isn’t this a great day in the Lord? Don’t you just love to trust Him?” Recently, as reported by Ann and others, an older nurse came into his room to take his blood. Roy said, typically in his style, “Hiya doin’ today?” She reached for her back and said, “Not so good. My back hurts.” Roy took her hand and said, “Do you mind if I pray for you?” This lady shouted all over the room; receiving the inspiration that could only come from a genuine “Roy Humphrey.” I am asking all of you who love Roy and Ann, the tremendous work that they have carried on for years around the world, to pray for Roy’s complete healing. Roy has a special relationship with the Lord; and, this is our opportunity to join with him in asking the Lord, for His glory, to bring healing to this son of God.
Finally
As most of you know, just a few weeks ago we dedicated our new Chaplaincy and Care Center in Oradea, Romania. When the dust settled and the full reports came in, we were happy to say that through the help of the Lord and many wonderful donors, we were able to raise approximately 1.5 million dollars for this beautiful, five-story facility. As we have noted in previous updates, this facility is located in an area of some one-half million individuals; just a few hundred feet from a Baptist University, and, what excites us, near one of the largest population of gypsies anywhere in Europe. Since the Church of God has entered into a relationship with various Pentecostal gypsy groups, it is only natural that the center be a strategic outreach to meet some of these families’ personal needs for benevolent goods, medical services and training.
At the dedication, I spoke about the power of a single dream/vision; from a single individual, or, in this case, three individuals. Almost 10 years ago, I met with Pastor W.D. Watkins and Dr. Radu Tirle, who then was our Romanian Chaplaincy Coordinator, and who is now President of the Bihor Region. On the back of a napkin, we dreamed and drew; and, many years later, we now have this five-story, marvelous facility that will house a complete medical clinic for the poor, administrative and counseling offices, a huge area for storing goods for those in crisis, particularly during natural disasters, and, a beautiful area for training chaplains for assignments throughout Eastern Europe. On the top floor, we have a missionary-hospitality apartment; and, dormitory rooms for visiting mission groups, chaplaincy students, and others who will be involved in ministries of all types. It begins with a dream; a few notes and primitive drawings on the back of a napkin, and, a lot of hard work, donors who love the Lord, and a multitude of others who are willing to be a part of that mandate to care for those in need. You will be hearing more about this and our other chaplaincy projects; which are taking seriously the need for the church to be involved in ministries “outside the gates.”
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
Love the Lord, all you faithful ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant. So be strong and take courage all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:23-24 (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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