Church of God Chaplains Commission

This is a special week for the Chaplains Commission because we are hosting our “Community Service Chaplaincy Training Course” for Level I and II here at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Those who attend this five-day course and successfully pass the examination will not only be certified as a Community Service Chaplain but they will, in addition, have the opportunity to receive credit through the seminary should they wish to fulfill the additional requirements of PTS. In my opinion, this is one of the best training opportunities within the confines of the Church of God. Not only is it excellent for those who wish to become certified as a CSC, but it is also quite astounding how valuable the information taught can be for every local pastor who weekly faces a wide and varied assortment of critical ministry situations.

Dr. Jake Popejoy heads up our CSC programs here at the Chaplains Commission, and he has been a productive and active Chaplain for a number of years. His service as a State Administrative Bishop, Missionary Overseer, Police Officer and FBI Chaplain has more than qualified him as a leader among leaders. Most all of our CSC material has been written by Brother Jake, and I feel extremely honored to have him serving as the leader of this area of chaplaincy ministry. Brother Abel Cuen is working diligently with us in the area of Hispanic Chaplaincy, which is swiftly becoming one of our greatest areas of ministry advancement. He, along with our Board of Director’s member, Dr. Carlos Moran, who also heads up the Church of God Hispanic Ministries, are working together to make greater in-roads into the pastors within our Hispanic churches who seriously want to reach out to their communities through chaplaincy ministry.

It is my prayer that one day, every pastor will see the need to be an active participant within his community, and will take the time to continue his ministerial training by including “Community Service Chaplaincy” as a part of his commitment to his area of pastoral service. Some 18% or more of the pastors throughout the Church of God have already become “CSC’s”. Pastor Gerald McGinnis of Knoxville and Pastor Hugh Nelson of New York currently pastor two of the largest churches within our denomination. Not only have these men become Community Service Chaplains themselves, but they also have the largest number of certified chaplains within their churches of anyone I know. Their commitments to CSC, I’m sure, has provided a great wealth of success within the growth of their local churches. It is my belief that the New Testament church did not need to be encouraged to be a community outreach church, but rather it was their nature to naturally touch their world where they ministered. This is the model we find in Scripture and it still works today!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

Many of you may have noticed in the news that the Army now has a Hindu chaplain in the ranks. Some see this as an indicator of the erosion of traditional American religious values, or as a sign of the nation’s movement toward a post-Christian society. Though both of these positions have merit, the accessioning of a Hindu chaplain is a testimony to the Constitutional protection for Americans to freely exercise our religious beliefs.

There is a clear distinction between celebrating the value of a religion and celebrating the right to practice that religion. The same holds true for respecting the dignity and value of a soul created in the image of God, while at the same time possibly not respecting the behavior or beliefs of that person.

When Jesus made the declaration, “I will build my church,” He did so knowing He would build it in the midst of numerous religions of the world. The Holy Spirit living within you as a Church of God Chaplain insures the light of the hope in Christ shines brightly wherever you serve, and with whomever you serve.

You may hear a new voice on the phone when you call the Chaplains Commission. We welcome Ms. Falon Smith, no relation to our Director, to our staff. Falon is a graduate of Lee University who will be staying in Cleveland for a while. As a part of her duties, Falon will be working with the administrative processes for Vocational Chaplains and applicants.

Congratulations to Army Chaplain (Colonel) Bryan Walker, who graduates from the National War College in Washington, DC. Bryan is the first Church of God Chaplain to graduate from the NWC resident course. Bryan’s next assignment will be at the Pentagon.

Congratulations to Navy Chaplain, LTJG Ethan Everts, who graduated from the Professional Naval Chaplaincy Basic Leadership Course on June 1st. He is pictured below flanked by the Navy Chief of Chaplains, RADM Mark Tidd, on his right and the Naval Chaplaincy School Commandant, CAPT Michael Langston, on his left.

Army Chaplain (LTC) Joe Melvin provided the devotional for the opening of the Army’s World Class Athletes Program annual forum.

Clinical Chaplain and CPE SIT John Renfro completed the Spring ACPE Group at Roper Saint Francis Hospitals. John is preparing for certification as a CPE Associate Supervisory.

Congratulations to Clinical Chaplain Robert Justice, who recently completed the requirements for Certification in Pastoral Thanatology from the America Institute of Healthcare Professionals.

Clinical Chaplain James Hall provided pastoral care in 214 hospice visits last month, in addition to preaching six sermons.

Correctional Chaplain James Stogner implemented creative ministry with the formation of a Chapel Drama Group cast with inmates from rival gangs. The first play, “The Prodigal Son,” was performed before packed inmate audiences for all four performances. Numerous inmates responded to the invitation to accept Jesus as their Savior. Praise the Lord!

Richard L. Pace, D. Min.
Endorser and Coordinator, Vocational Chaplaincy Ministries

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Update from the Field

Having just returned from Mississippi, where I was able to visit several areas of flooding, I continue to receive reports from the field of Community Service Chaplains continuing to battle disasters, heartaches and human tragedy. Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota, continue to undergo flooding from the Missouri and Souris Rivers. Our chaplains are not only counselors, instructors and caregivers in the emotional and spiritual dimensions, but they are working side-by-side with city, state and federal officials in the “hands-on” work of fighting the rising waters that threaten their communities. Chaplains Sam Saylor and Dan Sweeney are two of our finest, doing a great work for their North Dakota cities.

Before returning from Mississippi, I received several calls and emails from pastors and leaders in the Joplin area asking for chaplaincy services in this terribly distraught and shattered community. Therefore we are again appealing to our chaplains for volunteers who would be willing to serve in the Joplin area to do counseling and debriefing as well as lead teams to assist in other capacities.

CSC J-Term In Session

We are presently conducting a Level II Chaplaincy Course in Cleveland, Tennessee. Students have come from Washington, Florida, Maryland, Tennessee and North Carolina to be in this session. We continue to be amazed at the overwhelming responses to training and ministry in the areas of Community Service Chaplaincy.

Community Service Chaplain Pat Henley, Seal Beach, California, reports having met with over 200 Royal Ranger boys and men at a three-day campout and training session. Classes were held for 47 new members of the organization.

Community Service Chaplain Ernest E. Bowes, Lenoir, North Carolina, reports participation in a fundraising event for the Tornado Relief Effort of the South. Two-Thousand Six-Hundred dollars was raised and sent to the project.

Community Service Chaplain Dan Alewine, Vine Grove, Kentucky, requests continued prayer for his recovery from heart and lung surgery. Dan, our prayers are truly with you.

Correctional Chaplain John McClure, Westlake, Ohio, reports that God has opened a door for him to minister to a “no rights” inmate on Death Row. John requests our prayers for him, as the man is scheduled for execution in August. Additionally, John has been privileged to hold two Death Row services.

Correctional Chaplain Margaret Pogin, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, reports that she has completed all online Prison Fellowship training and has her interview on Saturday. Let’s keep her in our prayers.

We wish to recognize Community Service Chaplain Linda J. Johnson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for all of her continued and faithful chaplaincy work. Linda was awarded the Meritorious Family Support Coin from the Military, as well as serving as officiating Chaplain at the Memorial Day cemetery services.

Community Service Chaplain and Trainer Candidate Irene Gibson, Rock Hall, Maryland, reports that she has just completed a five-day advanced chaplaincy training course in Glasgow, Scotland. Congratulations Irene.

Hispanic Chaplaincy

Chaplain Abel Cuen, Coordinator of Hispanic Chaplaincy, USA, reports the following:

El Capellan Miguel Esparza de la Region Sur Central esta a cargo de la coordinacion del Territorio que dirige el Dr. Fidencio Burgueno y esta realizando un trabajo excepcional ya que ha consolidado 4 seminarios de CSC para Pastores y Lideres Laicos en Albuquerque NM, Dallas TX, San Antonio TX y Houston TX.

Para mas informacion al respecto llame por favor a la Oficina Regional Sur Central Hispana de la Iglesia de Dios.

El Coordinador de La Comision de Capellanes de Chicago Dr. Alberto R. Arias esta por comenzar en el Centro de Entrenamiento Autorizado por COG Chaplains Commission “Centro Cristiano Aguilas de Dios” otro seminario mas de CSC que como siempre sera de gran exito e impacto en la ciudad de Chicago, hasta el momento reportan 100 aplicaciones recibidas.

El Capellan Eunice S. Rossback, represento al Coordinador Nacional en la convencion Territorial de la Region NorOeste Hispana de la Iglesia de Dios que se llevo a cabo en las instalaciones de la hermosa Universidad Patten en Oakland CA. Su reporte fue excelente y agradecemos al Obispo Administrativo Dr. David Munguia por sus finas atenciones y soporte a la Comision de Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios.

El Capellan Victor Artreche, Coordinador de la Comision de Capellanes en la Region Sur Este Hispana de La Iglesia de Dios que dirige con gran distincion el Dr. Angel Marcial, acaba de consolidar con la Oficina Regional las fechas para los proximos seminarios de CSC en las ciudades de Miami, Tampa y Orlando FL. sabiendo de antemano que estos eventos seran todo un exito y de gran beneficio para la Iglesia y la comunidad Hispana en el estado de Florida.

Sigamos adelante en el nombre de nuestro Senior Jesucristo sabiendo que el va delante de nosotros como poderoso gigante!!!

Los Capellanes Hispanos seguimos trabajando haciendo contacto con nuestras comunidades, llevando cuidado a los necesitados y participando activamente en la construccion de iglesia relevantes en su comunidad.

Adelante porque somos parte muy importante de la plantacion de Iglesias, de la distribucion de las buenas noticias y estaremos alli para recoger la cosecha… Consiervos Capellanes Hispanos de America, LO MEJOR ESTA POR VENIR!

More Upcoming Classes

Please check the website for current and upcoming classes to be conducted:

http://www.cogchaplains.com/ministry/course/

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains