Church of God Chaplains Commission

Transition

Transition is not a word that anyone especially enjoys to hear, particularly if the discussion revolves around his or her family, life or career. And yet, over the past two years we have heard more than our share of discussions revolving around the concept of transition. We hear that our nation is in a transition, that the world at-large is in a transition, that our church is in transition and even state and local governments are in transition. And, the list goes on and on.

Simply stated, transition is to change from one scene to another. Hence, to transition means to move from one’s comfort zone, typically, to a new unfamiliar area. Now, we all know about this. As the commercial of years past said, “This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile.” Well so what, when was the last time you even saw an Oldsmobile? Principally, we are now fulfilling the Star Trek mantra to “Boldly go where no one has gone before.” And, it doesn’t feel very good at all.

Chaplains know more about transition than anyone else I know. Some of you I have known for years and well remember when you were serving pastorates and the decisions you made to move into chaplaincy. Some became military chaplains and others institutional. Collectively, all now have experienced measurable change in your lives.

And, while the world cries foul to the heralding of transition, you can, with great experience, instruct them on the manner and method of dealing with change. You’ve been there and done that!

The transitions we now face are particularly painful. Our economy means many have lost their positions of ministry. I wish I didn’t think there would be more pain but I am certain there will be. Some of you are already feeling the pain of our present season. It hurts and it hurts really badly! But you are more equipped than anyone else I know to face the future of a world in transition.

Recently, I was praying in the early morning hours about our lives, our families and the many of you who serve the ministry of Christ with such excellence. I felt so strongly that God was saying to me that these are the “birth pains” of the end times. If so, we must take heart for Jesus said, “When you see these things come to pass, look up, your redemption draweth nigh”. Knowing this, I pray for you, I pray for my children and grandchildren and I pray for the saints around the world. It is a day of great transition but also a day for great faith.

A few days ago, my eldest son was awakened before dawn by a strange presence of the Holy Spirit. He went to his church and the Spirit of God told him to write down five things from scripture that God would do to care for his people in the last days. When he went home he shared this with his wife, not knowing our eleven-year-old granddaughter was listening. She then said, “Dad that sounds very frightening.” Shane, our son, said to me, “Dad, the Holy Ghost moved on me and I said, ‘No, honey, this is the best time for you because you are about to witness Red Sea miracles.’” He then went on and said, “Alyssa, you are a part of the generation that will see the miraculous hand of God in biblical proportions, do not fear.” I am certain this is God’s word to each of us, “Do not fear, this is a time for miracles!”

Dr. Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Full-Time Chaplaincy News

What does it mean to be a Pentecostal Chaplain? As a Church of God minister serving in a prison, a hospital, the military, or some other institutional setting, how do you approach ministry that may be different from other chaplains? Do you carry the label “Pentecostal” Chaplain simply because you are credentialed by a Pentecostal church, or is there a unique way you minister to those under your pastoral care that may differ from a chaplain who is not a Pentecostal?

The Pentecostal distinctions are most frequently identified within the context of corporate worship of those who share the same Pentecostal experience. Yet there is a personal dynamic of being Pentecostal that is not always on public display. Since most of our chaplains minister in non-traditional religious settings, it is the personal aspect of Pentecostal ministry that can have the greatest impact on how we do ministry and how we impact those we minister to.

I will discuss some of my thoughts about this over the next few weeks. If you like, send me your views, or post them on one of our chaplaincy network pages.

Marine Chaplain LCDR James Mucha has published his arrival to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. As he is settling in to his new living environment, he notes what those of you who have been deployed can confirm, “The services are dynamic with great music and are packed with about 300 persons per service.” Pray that God will use James to touch many troops with God’s love.

Navy Chaplain LTJG Ethan Everts reported this week for training to learn how to be a Navy Chaplain. Keep Ethan in your prayers for the next three months. He is scheduled to graduate on June 2nd.

Chaplain John Renfro convened a new Introductory ACPE Group last week. He will present this group to a National Certification Committee in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Associate Supervisor. Keep him in prayer as he meets the Certification Committee.

Clinical Chaplain Miguel Ramos reports that God has opened the doors for him to establish a Chaplain Volunteer Training course for the University Medical Center of Tucson. The training will take place twice a year for those interested in becoming volunteer chaplains at the hospital.

Retired Army Chaplain Robert Sinnett has accepted a position to serve as a hospice chaplain with the Marietta Home Health and Hospice. Congratulations Bob.

New Zealand Clinical Chaplain Ray Bloomfield, Totorua Hospital, sent a special request for prayer in response to the needs from the recent earthquake in New Zealand. He has opened his home to help assist those who have lost everything. Keep Ray in your prayers as he provides pastoral care to those who are suffering.

Church of God Chaplains provide exceptional pastoral ministry every day to thousands of people all around the world. You are a part of a large caring family which is making a positive difference in our world. I pray that God will bless and expand your ministry influence in the location He has placed you.

Dr. Richard Pace
Endorser and Coordinator, Full-Time Chaplains

Community Service Chaplaincy News

I trust that you are all being wonderfully blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Chaplains Commission is experiencing great blessings from God as we are able to reach into many areas of the USA and the world. We have a large number of upcoming seminars and conferences which will certainly bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Recently we have, from the Chaplains Commission, made several important field appointments to help assist our Community Service Chaplains as they do ministry across our nation and around the world.

The following chaplains have been appointed by our Executive Director of the Chaplains Commission to serve as regional coordinators:

Chaplain Abel Cuen – Hispanic USA Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Steve Wallace – Gulf States Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Sam Saylor – Northern Plains Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Dennis DuPont – Delmarva Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Vernon Landreth – Atlantic Seaboard Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain John Corcoran – Great Lakes Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Paul Stockard – At Large Chaplaincy Region, – Chaplain David Redden – Midlands Command Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Cindi Bowen – Pacific Northwest Chaplaincy Region, Chaplain Christian Sandru – Ontario, Canada Chaplaincy Region – Chaplain Ismael Ponce – Caribbean Hispanic Chaplaincy Region.

A complete listing of our USA and International Chaplaincy regional coordinators will be posted within the next few weeks.

The following are some important reports from the chaplaincy field.

Community Service Chaplain Dolores Ann Fox, Naples, Florida, reports of continued counseling and prayer for single parents and families, as well as numerous visits to hospitals and hospice facilities to pray for and assist patients.

Community Service Chaplain Victor Artreche, Orlando, Florida, reports having conducted funerals for two health care professionals. As we see, hospital chaplaincy is not only about the patients. Thanks for your ministry Victor.

Community Service Chaplain Dow Moses, Decatur, Illinois, is continuing to do community outreach with the Decatur Police Department. Great ministry Dow!

CS Chaplain Carline Paul-Court, Massapequa, New York, reports chaplaincy ministry with the Light House Mission food and clothing pantry, as well as with her local church prayer chain.

CS Chaplain Jessica Blackwell, Marion, Virginia, reports continued chaplaincy ministry to 11 widows for whom she is caring and ministering.

CS Chaplain Zulma Cruz Gomez, Glen Burnie, Maryland, reports a fantastic ministry of prayer and spiritual support to those in her area. Thank you so much Zulma for your great chaplaincy outreach of prayer.

CS Chaplain John McClure, Westlake, Ohio, reports many spiritual blessings to the inmates of the Lorain Correctional Institution.

LE Chaplain John Campbell, Burnsville, Minnesota, reports conducting a seminar with Community Service Chaplain Roger Daniel on the 24th of February. He is planning a Law Enforcement Seminar the last of the summer or early fall.

Please pray for the Haiti team which just left today for further ministry in this very needy nation. Your prayers and contributions have been so important to the successful chaplaincy ministry in Haiti.

The Chaplains Commission sincerely appreciates all of the many financial contributions made by our Community Service Chaplains. We are ever in your debt as you continue to help us do ministry around the world.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains