Chaplains Commission Weekly Newsletter – October 8, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 4:34 pm
“Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (Psalms 23:4 NLT)
Someone said a number of years ago that there were only two certainties about life, death and taxes. While I would strongly protest that there are far more certain things than these, surely death is one given reality that we are all too familiar with. For chaplains, death is an up-close and personal reality on an almost daily basis, perhaps more for some than others.
In the Church of God we have had our share of unfortunate news alerts bringing to us the sad awakening to another loss for some precious family. This past week the alert came concerning a beloved friend and pastor from South Georgia, Reverend George Moxley, who lost his dear son, a fine young man who was only 26 years of age. We need to hold this family up in our prayers and remember their grief that we all know is way beyond words. Tommy Smith, our missionary to Indonesia, was having breakfast with Barbara and me only hours after the tragic accident; and it was he who shared the news with us. During our discussion, he recounted the death of Paul Dana Walker, his close friendship with him and how horribly difficult it was for the Walker family to face the inevitable news of their son’s death. While Tommy spoke, although that moment was many years past, his eyes began to water as if it were a story as fresh as the day.
Death does not leave us! Its reality is ever present with us. The loss of a loved one is terrible, but the loss of a child seems almost unbearable. For chaplains who must be the first responder at times of death, this type of loss is one of the most challenging. I learned a long time ago as a young pastor, at the age of 23, that being with a family during their season of loss is perhaps the most conflicting time in one’s own life. While helping them to weather the hour, you must also stay in touch with how you personally are being impacted. When you move into the scene of death, you do not leave your mind, body, emotions, heart and our soul at the door. You walk in as a whole person. Everything, both past and present, is with you. Chaplains are not robots! You are mighty men and women of God, powerfully spiritual individuals with a word from God, but more so a presence like God in as much as you are, as the Psalmist said of the Lord, “beside” them. I do not have the words to express my gratitude for your service in all areas at all times, but I especially applaud you for your anointed ability to be there for others during times of death. I know each and every moment impacts you personally, but I also am keenly aware that it deepens your level of spiritual maturity and it defines more clearly who you are in Christ. May God bless you as you continue to do His great work!
Dr. Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director, Chaplains Commission
Executive Administrator, Care Division
Full-Time Chaplain Field Reports
I am blessed each week to read the reports coming in from our full-time chaplains. It is obvious that God is at work in and through their ministries. Below is a sampling of the great things the Lord is doing.
· Clinical Chaplain Ruth Bordeaux works in the specialized field as an in-home juvenile sexual offender specialist. She works with both children who have been victims of sexual offense, as well as juvenile offenders. She informed our office that there may be a possible opening in Knoxville with her organization. If you have specialized training in this area and are interested in this position, you can contact Ruth at ruthbordeaux@juno.com.
· We rejoice with Chaplain Carol Johnson, who witnessed a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in a recent service where 43 inmates gave their hearts to the Lord. PTL!
· Chaplain Dony Donev, our Bulgarian Chaplaincy Coordinator, announced the establishment of a Masters Program in Chaplaincy Ministry through the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute. Chaplain Donev and many others have been working hard for several years to bring this effort to fruition.
· Congratulations to Chaplain Thomas Mills, who was awarded the Veterans Affairs Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Chaplaincy at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in September.
· Congratulations to Chaplain Ray Williams who has achieved permanent Active Duty status as an AGR (Active Guard and Reserve).
· Congratulations to Chaplain Brian (Jake) Jacobson who was selected for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
· Welcome home to Chaplain Phil Bagrow who returned from a seven-month deployment on the USS JOHN L HALL.
We currently have several Church of God chaplains who are deployed. Please remember to keep them and their families in your prayers. When our social network is up and running, more information regarding this will be available on a secure site.
Richard Pace
Endorser and Coordinator of Full-Time Chaplaincy Ministries
CSC Field Reports
I am so happy to report to you that our Community Service Chaplaincy among our Hispanic Churches and communities is growing rapidly. We have scheduled five Hispanic CSC seminars between now and the month of February. Chaplain Abel Cuen and I will be in Chicago for the first of these seminars on the 15th of October, where 77 Spanish-speaking ministers and laity will be meeting for their chaplaincy training and certification.
Again I wish to highlight some of the vital ministry activity which is being done by our Community Service Chaplains on the field.
· Chaplain Terry Joe Kaskadden of Oskaloosa, Iowa, is promoting a benefit to raise money for the purchase of scooters and motorcycles for Haitian Pastors.
· Chaplain Bob Gibson, Law Enforcement Chaplain from Rock Hall, Maryland, held the Third Annual Concerns of Police Survivors Benefit which raised over $12,000 for the surviving family members of police officers lost in the line of duty. Bob and Irene are fully committed to this great chaplaincy ministry.
· Community Service Hospital Chaplain Debbie Thompson, Orlando, Florida, was wonderfully used this past month in her outreach to the hospital. She made 132 ICU visits and 34 Neuro floor visits. Debbie was at the side of a 19-year-old girl who died of a drug overdose. No other family members were present to comfort this young woman.
· Law Enforcement Chaplain Terry D. Wigley, while waiting for his official appointment from the new Police Chief, was privileged to participate in an annual Law Enforcement Retreat in Satsuma, Alabama.
· Chaplain Pete Shoars, Fredricksburg, Virginia, preached at Fort Pickett, Virginia and had more than 100 Marines and 250 Virginia Defense Force Soldiers in attendance.
· Chaplain William Smith, Lindenhurst, New York, ministers through the Talbot House Drug Rehab Program, where he witnessed the salvation of 12 souls last month. PTL!
In addition to all of the fine reports of service which come to us each day, we are also consumed with a burden for the many prayer requests which reach our desks. We pray regularly and consistently for our CS Chaplains, Full-Time Chaplains and in this day, especially for those Chaplains deployed to foreign soil. Their families do not go unmentioned. We are very aware of their great sacrifices.
So many of our Community Service Chaplains give of their time, talent and resources on a daily basis. Some of them we know do ministry that will not be recognized till we enter the Kingdom of God. Our thoughts and continued prayers remain with them. Please know that I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful cadre of Godly men and women who are serving so selflessly the Kingdom of Christ.
Jake Popejoy
Coordinator of Community Service Chaplains and Training
Contacts
Chaplain Richard Pace, Endorser and Coordinator of Full-Time Chaplaincy Ministries, pacer@cogchaplains.com
Chaplain Jake Popejoy, Coordinator of Community Service Chaplaincy and Training, jakepopejoy@aol.com
General Information, chapcm@cogchaplains.com
Web Site: www.cogchaplains.com
DWS/als
Categories: Weekly Update
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