Church of God Chaplains Commission

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

Over the past few weeks, while experiencing the Christmas holidays and New Year’s celebrations, I have had the opportunity to listen to more cable news than I am normally accustomed to. One thing for certain, it has become crystal clear to me that numbers of individuals seem to have a plan for my (our) life. The numerous politicians repeatedly tell us they have a plan. Then the nation’s leader says he has a plan. Nevertheless, I don’t think I am willing to trust any of these hollow affirmations when I know the limitations of man. And I also know the futile promises of mankind. What I am ready to believe without reservation is God’s promise that he really does have a plan for my life and that plan is good not evil. This is always easier to accept when things are going well. When the bills are paid, the family is well and everyone is living on an emotional high but it is true even when the opposite is taking place. It is a true promise even if the bills aren’t being paid and the family is experiencing high levels of stress, health problems and emotional upheaval. God’s Word is always true!

For many of you, this has been a tough year. Your career has been threatened and/or changed, your own health has been diminished as well as your loved ones and your family has been right at the brink of total disaster. For many in the world, 2011 represents the worst of years. For many in chaplaincy, it has been a difficult year. I know many of you who are facing terrible health related issues. I also know that a number of our chaplains are feeling the pain of national economic woes that have brought an end to their ministries. And, I am aware of the intense turmoil that some of you face even within your own home. Hear me, God is watching and has not forgotten you. Some two weeks ago, I awakened from a deep sleep hearing in my heart a song that I had not heard nor thought of for nearly 40 years. The song was titled, “It Happened Just like He Said It Would”. It’s an old southern gospel number that recounts many of the miracles of Jesus and then responds to them with the words, “and it happened just like he said”. I could not shake it from my mind. And, I wondered why this song tonight, when I heard a still small voice say, “Remember, it will happen just like He said, God will do everything He promised, just like He said”. I began to weep and the next morning told everyone I could about what took place that night for I believe it was a word of promise from God, he will do everything he said. What did he say? “I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”. This will happen just like He said!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

This week I am in Northern Virginia attending the annual Endorser Conferences. Several organizations schedule their conferences back-to-back to facilitate endorsers being able to participate. Friday and Saturday, I represented our church at the Association of Religious Endorsing Bodies (AREB) Conference. This organization focuses primarily on chaplaincy issues in all institutions other than the military. The Commission on Ministry in Specialized Settings (COMISS), an umbrella organization comprised of endorsers, cognate groups, and practitioners for all types of chaplaincy, met on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, I am participating in the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) and Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC). Both of these organizations are comprised of endorsers to address military and VA chaplaincy issues. The Department of Defense Armed Forces Chaplains Board (AFCB) will meet with all the military endorsers on Thursday in a forum where the Army, Navy, and Air Force Chiefs of Chaplains will speak with endorsers.

As these bodies dialogue on the issues, challenges, and best practices of chaplaincy ministry, I am reminded of the importance for the Church of God to have a seat at the table with the key players that influence chaplaincy ministry. Our church shares close fellowship with many of these religious organizations and we have practically nothing religiously in common with others with the exception of chaplaincy ministry.

Among these organizations, there are divergent agendas that attempt to shape the theology and praxis of chaplaincy care. While most aspects of chaplaincy ministry are easily embraced by Church of God Chaplains, some approaches are incongruent with our beliefs. I have great respect for your ability to provide the highest quality of professional chaplain care while being faithful to our core beliefs.

News from the Field

Welcome home to Army Chaplain (CPT) Mike White who returned safely from Afghanistan to Fort Hood, Texas.

Correctional Chaplain Betty Standifer reported that her heart was deeply moved for the new women she visited in the prison. She requests continued prayer for the women who are deeply troubled and in need of God’s healing grace.

Congratulations to Army Chaplain (MAJ) Everett Franklin who completed the Intermediate Level Education course in December.

VA Chaplain Tim Staggs is thankful that his parents had only minor injuries from an accident that totaled their car. Please keep them in prayer.

Gary Metcalf informed our office that Mountain States Health Alliance in Johnson City, Tennessee has a position opening for a Corporate Clinical Chaplain. The job description and posting can be seen at http://www.mshahr.com/.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

A brand New Year! Wonderful! New possibilities, New ministries, New friends and New relationships.

Chaplaincy continues to be about relationships. Without them, we really cannot successfully fulfill the work that God has called us to do. The Chaplains Commission is immediately going into the New Year with full focus on training and preparation for ministry. We are having two Chaplaincy Courses in Cleveland, Tennessee, one in Bulgaria and one in Romania. A post course graduation for Hispanic Chaplaincy is also being conducted in Houston near the end of January. We are so blessed to be able to enter this New Year with exciting things yet to come.

Training is certainly going to be a key theme this year. So many requests for CERT (Disaster) Chaplaincy training are coming to us. We continue to pray that the Lord will protect us from unforeseen calamity, but we are determined to be prepared and offer our assistance where possible when the need arises. Therefore, I would encourage as many CSC Chaplains to gain as much training in this area as possible. You will definitely be needed.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain John Walsh, Cork, Ireland, reports the following: “This year is our 22nd year in ministry and it is our pleasure to once more give an account of our stewardship for 2011. This is to God’s glory without whose help and guidance nothing would have being accomplished. We also acknowledge your support and cooperation we have received during the past year and with many of you since this work-begun 22 years ago. I looked back the last year and saw how much the Lord has done and even though Betty and I spent time in the hospital, we praise the Lord for what He accomplished during that time in our lives and ministry.

We experienced:
• Advanced Chaplains Course in Scotland
• A Biker seeking God
• A prisoner seeking advice about personal issues
• Counseled with a pastor who had neglected his family
• Taught on the topic of Suicide and self-harming
• Drama group called Parables

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit in many homes and are aware of the many needs the people of God have. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.”

I would like to give recognition to Community Service Chaplain Mike Horton, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mike has been faithfully serving God in many capacities over the past several years. The following is a short synopsis of his ministry:

• 2002-2007: Moultrie Police Department – Senior Chaplain – Chief William Lang (Senior Pastor Moultrie Church of God)
• 2007-present: Estevan Police Service Senior Chaplain (Fostered program from scratch) Chief Dell Block (Senior Pastor Estevan Church of God)
• 2008-present: Royal Canadian Mounted Police – 5 regional detachments
• 2008-present: Senior Chaplain/assistant coach Estevan Comprehensive High school football program
• 2008-present: Associate Chaplain for the professional football team Saskatchewan Roughriders based in Regina Saskatchewan
• 2008-present: Chaplain role with Spectra Credit Unions of Saskatchewan (3 cities Estevan, Weyburn, Beinfeit)
• 2008-present: Chaplain role with law firm (2 cities – 35 employees)
• 2008-present: Chaplain role with city of Estevan staff (every department)

Mike, thank you for all of your ministry and chaplaincy service!

Community Service Chaplain Vernon Landreth, Regional Chaplaincy Coordinator for the Atlantic Sea Board has compiled the following report at my request. During the past year Vernon and Mary Landreth have served in the following roles:

• NASCAR Chaplain for Motor Mile Speedway (NASCAR Whelen All American Series) 22 Races
• NASCAR Chaplain for Martinsville Speedway (NASCAR Whelen All American Series)
• Chaplain Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
• Chaplain Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Critical Incident Stress Management Team (13 counties)
• Critical Incident Stress Management Team for the Local Emergency Planning Commission for the Town of Wytheville and Wythe County Virginia
• Disaster Chaplain Emergency Operations Center for Town of Pulaski and Pulaski County Tornado. Coordinated Volunteer Groups and Liaison for Church ministries to the Emergency Operations Center
• Disaster Chaplain Washington County Virginia Tornado, Va. Tech Shooting
• Chaplain Emergency Operation Center: Va. Tech Police Department
• Law Enforcement De-briefer for Tactical Team, Inner Perimeter Team
• Emergency Medical Services Team De-briefer
• Certified Community Service Chaplain Training Instructor Level 3
• Certified Training Instructor Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Trained Chaplain Level 1 courses
• Hosted 3 Critical Incident Stress Management courses certified through International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
• Coordinated a Virginia Granted course for Applied Suicide Skills Intervention Training
• Trained Crisis Response to Wythe County Ministerial Alliance
• Steering Committee for Regional 9/11 Memorial Service for Southwest Virginia
• Virginia Church of God State Chaplains Board

Vernon, we certainly appreciate all that you and Mary have done and continue to do for the Kingdom of God, your local church and the Chaplains Commission!

To hear a message from our Hispanic Coordinator please click the following link. Chaplain Cuen.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains