Church of God Chaplains Commission

On September 11, 2001, America was targeted for terrorist attacks. As horrified observers, we helplessly watched hijacked planes fly into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A final plane, before reaching its target, crashed when fearless passengers overtook the hijackers. In response, churches were flooded looking for answers to make sense of it all. According to USA Today (8/22/11) at least one pastor, Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, was encouraged. He stated, “Life is filled with opportunities to do good. We don’t know how many we have, so you want to be there to invest, love and not take any day for granted.” Turning toward God in distressing situations is a reassurance for many believers. But, where are those individuals who flooded the churches after 9/11?

Ten years have elapsed since that ominous day. As the claim of religion has remained strong, people attend church less. However, 95% of all Americans still profess their belief in God or a higher power. Those in Christianity, Judaism and the Islamic faith, continue to struggle finding their place in this ever-changing world. According to the Pew Research Center, almost 2.2 billion – one third of the globe’s population – live where religious persecution rose between 2006 and 2009. The need for ministry is stronger than ever before today. And, this is good news for the Church of God Chaplains Commission because we have been called to go “beyond the gates”. There seems to have been little, if any change regarding the feelings that people have toward religion. In point of fact, most people still claim to be highly religious, but what about actionable faith? What about faith that is lived out daily? That appears to be fading fast. To each of us, that is the current challenge. God has called us to move into the marketplace of life and be a spiritual lighthouse for those who live in darkness. Fortunately for us, we (as chaplains) have the opportunity to go where others cannot.

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

Military Chaplaincy is alive and well, and the Church of God is a key player for the Services. Before America could declare its independence in July of 1776, the Continental Congress established the military in June of 1775. The Congress understood the importance of troops having the opportunity to exercise their religious beliefs. In the “Rules and Regulations” governing the Army, Congress wrote in Article II of the regulations, “It is earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers, diligently to attend Divine Services.” General Washington and the commanders in the field quickly realized it was near impossible for troops to worship without chaplains. Congress added chaplains to the ranks in July of 1775.

This past Friday, the Church of God added 5 ministers to the ranks of those who have graduated from the Army Chaplain Basic Course. Chaplain (COL) David Smartt, the first Church of God Commandant for the Army Chaplain School, and I are the proud bookends in the photo with the graduates shown below. From left to right are: Chaplain Smartt, Chaplain (1LT) Winston Wilks (Army Reserve), Chaplain (1LT) Ric Rivers (Active Duty – Fort Lewis), Chaplain Candidate Elizabeth Buckner, Chaplain Candidate Alan Galindez, Chaplain (1LT) Ryan Wood (Active Duty – Fort Bliss) and myself. With the quality of ministers the Church of God is sending to the military, I am confident the troops are in good hands.

News from Vocational Chaplains

Congratulations to Army Chaplain (MAJ) Randy Imhoff who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as a Family Life Chaplain at Fort Drum, New York, during his recent three-year recall to Active Duty.

Air Force Chaplain, Capt. Tom Baize conducted two marriage retreats for fifty-five couples. He also was recognized as the Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. Congratulations Tom!

Clinical CPE Supervisor Chaplain Keith Munford and his wife Pam were featured in the Cleveland Banner for their efforts in delivering shoes to those in need in Oaxaca, Mexico. As a part of the “Shoes for Orphan Souls,” you can read the article online at the following link: Cleveland Daily Banner – Pam Keith Munford delivered shoes to youngsters in Mexico

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Update from the Field

God has been so good to us in the Chaplains Commission. We have numerous opportunities for service and training. With the autumn season comes an overwhelming amount of training for which we are truly appreciative. Many of our trainers will be busying themselves as Primary and Covenant instructors. The CERT disaster training is now being requested across America as well as in several other countries. So, we truly look forward to being a blessing to many.

Reports continue to come in from Minot, North Dakota, and other areas about the great impact that our Community Service Chaplains are having in disaster areas. Additionally, the various disciplines of Community Service Chaplaincy are growing regularly, and we have the great privilege to reach into our communities and give help and hope to many who are in need and long for spiritual uplifting.

Reports and Requests

Romanian Chaplaincy Coordinator Robert Schmidt reports from Oradea, Romanian: “For the past three weeks we have had several groups staying at the chaplaincy center. We had a group of four from the Wycliffe Bible Translators stay for almost a week while they ministered in local Romanian churches, and we also had a group of 17 young people from Holland staying while they worked in local Romanian and gypsy churches. Ministry in the center continues on a daily basis helping the poor in Oradea with clothing and whatever other services we can offer them.”

Community Service Chaplain Carline Paul-Court reports from Massapequa, New York: “I have been ministering at Phoenix House for women, spent time with the women there in meeting their prayer needs and had discussions on scripture bible verses; I also prayed with the men who joined the discussion.”

Community Service Chaplain Cynthia Basinger reports from Cumberland, Virginia: ‘Several hospital visits, five home visits, and prayer over rescue squad and fire department in Cumberland community. Praise the Lord for Chaplains to the fire and rescue.’

Community Service Chaplains Sulma Rodriguez & Elias Coello reports from Houston, Texas: “Helped coordinate our 2011 VBS. Elias Coello erected a 20ft x 50ft tent from scratch for the VBS and coordinated the sports/recreational games for the VBS. We conducted donations of bed/mattress and frame, bunk beds, comforters and covers to help a family in need.”

Chaplain Mark Ledbetter reports from Sylacauga, Alabama: “Continued ‘On-Duty’ Wednesdays as a volunteer chaplain with the Sylacauga Police Department. Responded to a 4:40 Sunday morning call from the Coosa Valley Medical Center regarding the death of a patient.” Awards and Presentations: Received a plaque from the Coosa Valley Medical Center for volunteer work during the 4 year absence of staff chaplain who had been called up by the Army National Reserves. Also, the staff chaplain, Glenn Winter, presented me a special coin from the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in appreciation for service allowing Chaplain Winter to attend to his duties for the U.S. Army.” Great job Mark!

Report from Hispanic Coordinator Abel Cuen

La Comision de Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios, esta sacando de sus cuatro paredes a muchos de nosotros que por mucho tiempo hemos estado como desconectados, encerrados y ajenos al quehacer y suceso diario de nuestras ciudades y comunidades a todo lo ancho de nuestro pais.

Si este pais que declaramos es nuestra tierra prometida y para nuestros hijos es ya su tierra natal, nos necesita urgentemente. Es imperante que como pastores, Lideres y Siervos de Dios nos integremos de una vez por todas en la lucha que se esta librando en las calles, las esquinas y los rincones de nuestra sociedad, esta sociedad que quizas no sea igual a la que anoramos pero es en la que vivimos.

No me queda duda que tenemos un Dios de propositos y cada uno de nosotros debe descubrir el proposito de Dios en nuestras vidas. Jesucristo quiere revelarse al mundo que nos rodea a traves de nosotros, es por eso de suma importancia entender que la escencia del verdadero avivamineto es la manifestacion de Jesus en nuestra vida diaria.

Los Seminarios y Programas de Certificacion de La Comision de Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios, estan resultando una herramienta poderosa para este tiempo y para esta hora en el proceso de transformacion de muchas iglesias de manera que estas sean relevantes en el entorno en el que estan. Tambien es “un machete y una hacha” en el proyecto de plantacion de Iglesias para los Obispos Regionales ya que los Capellanes son pieza clave para hacer camino entre la maleza.

A continuacion les anexo este reporte que nos llego de una Iglesia Local que se ha convertido en punta de lanza a nivel nacional en la implementacion del Programa de Capellania de Servicio Comunitario de la Iglesia de Dios:

Junta de la Comision: Chicago tierra de Capellanes
Un Capitulo de La Comision de Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios, Cleveland Tennessee.

La Iglesia de Dios ha patrocinado un programa de capellanes en Chicago, que ha arrasado la ciudad. El programa ha inspirado a muchos cristianos a salir de su rutina normal y dar un paso de fe para tomar este curso. El programa se inició hace 14 meses y ha tenido una gran respuesta con 210 graduados y como resultado estos Cristianos han comenzado muchos programas en sus comunidades.

Se ha producido un incendio dentro de nuestros graduados guiados por el espíritu de Dios para servir a su pueblo.

El programa de capellanes comienza por la formación de sus miembros en servicio a la comunidad básica. Luego entonces, el programa sigue preparando a sus miembros a asumir un papel más definido en nuestra sociedad y especializarse en diferentes áreas.

Sobre una base semanal el Pastor Alberto Arias trabaja con sus miembros para ayudar a desarrollar y trabajar con los jóvenes, las personas sin hogar, las parejas con problemas matrimoniales, a los enfermos y las familias en crisis.

Como resultado de este trabajo se han creado los siguientes programas:

Ministerios Pan Diario – Este ministerio comenzó hace 4 meses para ayudar a alimentar a las familias sin hogar en la ciudad de Chicago. El programa ofrece una comida de 6 diferentes platos (tradicionales) para las personas sin hogar una vez al mes. Cuenta con una asistencia de alrededor de 114 personas sin hogar. Este programa permite a los capellanes para que sirvan no sólo alimentos, sino la palabra de Dios. También permite a los capellanes a dar consejo y trabajar con las personas sin hogar en la comunidad.

Los Ministerios de Get Well Soon – Este programa conecta a muchos capellanes de la ciudad, en un esfuerzo para visitar a los enfermos en los hospitales. Los capellanes ofrecen la oración y una palabra de consuelo a los enfermos y sus familias.

Libertad en la prisión – Este programa ha sido desarrollado para ayudar a restaurar a los prisioneros y prepararlos para la sociedad. El programa proporciona ayuda dentro y fuera de la cárcel. En este programa, todos los capellanes del área de Chicago se unen en un esfuerzo por enriquecer la vida de los prisioneros.

Los hombres de Poder – Este programa está creado para jóvenes varones 12 – 21. El programa ofrece a todos los jóvenes (varones) un contacto personal con varones cristianos y mentores que han tomado el curso de los Capellanes. Permite que estos jóvenes con problemas tengan un lugar a donde acudir y alguien que los guíe en momentos criticaos y desicivos de su vida. El programa ha tenido varios éxitos en los 3 meses que ha estado en existencia.

DIVA “Divina, Inteligente, Virtuosa, Adorable – Este programa ha sido creado para servir a las mujeres jóvenes de entre las edades de 12 a 21. El programa promueve la abstinencia, un comportamiento adecuado, el asesoramiento y muchos otros tipos de gran ayuda para las jóvenes que lo necesitan. Las jóvenes que participan en este programa de mentoria han resultado ser de gran ejemplo para muchas mujeres con problemas pequeños que han sido víctimas de nuestra sociedad.

Estos son algunos de los programas que han sido iniciados por los primeros graduados del programa de Capellania de Servicio Comunitario de la Iglesia de Dios aquí en Chicago.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains