Weekly Update May 2, 2013

Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 10:19 am

This past week a number of individuals from the Care Ministries Division attended the Latin American Summit in Guatemala City, Guatemala. It was an exciting week filled with dynamic worship services and numerous classes covering almost every area of church ministry. Some 1500 leaders from across the entirety of Latin America attended the day services and in the evening services an additional number of local leaders numbering approximately 1000-1500 joined the evening time of worship. I deeply appreciated Dr. David Ramirez, the Field Director of Latin America for allowing Care Ministries to be involved. From the Care Division Board of Directors, we were able to provide assistance in the amount of $80,000 (US) to help some 200 leaders in the travel, lodging and other expenses so they could attend. How wonderful it was to, not only participate but also to observe the attendees as they faithfully attended all worship services and all classes. This was no small accomplishment in as much as the morning services began at 7:45 am and continued all day into the evening that usually concluded around 10:30 pm. In the afternoon classes, every class seemed to be packed full. It was an extraordinary commitment that I have not witnessed in years.

The Latin American Summit night services were outstanding filled with powerful video presentations, awards and also the preaching of the gospel. Dr. Tim Hill preached a powerful message on Wednesday evening and I was able to share the preached word on the concluding night, which was Thursday evening. Of special note was the televising of the evening services. According to Dr. Ramirez, some 11 million people were able to view the night services on a cable station that covered all of Central America. I cannot express enough my deepest appreciation to the Executive Committee of Latin America that chose to present me with a special award on Thursday night. I love and appreciate these brethren that I have worked with for many years, they are among the most choice servants of the Lord.

The Chaplains Commission was particularly highlighted being the only ministry that was provided the time to teach a full course of instruction for CSC certification. Dr. Popejoy and Becky, along with CSC Administrative Assistant Diana Cardona did an outstanding job the entire week. We were particularly glad to have Diana and Dr. Esdras Betancourt from the Ministerial Care Office to assist us with the language translation. For those of you who were praying for us, please know we felt the strength of your prayers.

May God continue to bless you is my prayer!

Donnie W. Smith, D.Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy

Ministering on the edge of eternity is one way to describe hospice chaplaincy. Hospice chaplains have the opportunity to walk with their patients in their final days of life on earth up to the edge of passing into eternity.

One of our newest hospice chaplains is Chaplain Elizabeth Buckner. Elizabeth, who has extensive experience ministering to young people and the military (she is a new Army National Guard Chaplain), had never thought of doing hospice chaplaincy until recently. She told me, “Since taking advantage of the opportunity to work for hospice, I have found that I love my job.” She said that it is rewarding to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Chaplain Buckner enjoys working on a professional team. Her hospice team, like many others, consists of a doctor, a registered nurse, a certified nursing aide, a licensed social worker (MSW) and a chaplain.

As a chaplain to all, her primary objective is not to proselytize. She provides spiritual and pastoral care during her visits within the scope of the patient’s beliefs and her own. However, she has had patients ask her about her faith in their final days and she has had the blessing of being able to share the love of Jesus Christ with them and see them experience the miracle of salvation just days before death. She also said, “I have met many faithful saints during my time with hospice and have had the bitter sweet experience of seeing them go home to be with the Lord.”

Hospice chaplaincy is a growing area of Vocational Chaplaincy that may not be for everyone. Chaplain Buckner believes, “For those called to it, it is a wonderful ministry experience and blessing that warms the heart.”

News from the Field

Congratulations to Army Chaplain Steve Cantrell who was selected for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Navy Chaplain, Commander, David Gibson announced his upcoming retirement from 29 years serving the Navy. The Florida Administrative Bishop also announced David’s appointment as pastor of the Covenant Church of God in Pace, Florida. Congratulations to David and Tami for both their retirement from the Navy and the appointment to their new place of ministry.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

The world of Community Service Chaplaincy is expanding; literally expanding around the globe. The Church of God Chaplains Commission has taught 33 courses since December 1st, 2012. This does not include the many courses taught by our Chaplains Commission certified affiliates in many other parts of the world. I am personally having conversations with Church, civic and educational leaders who are seeing the need to “diversify” their ministry outreaches in order to reach a larger group of people in the market place and their communities.

After a successful Latin American Summit in Guatemala City, where the Chaplains Commission had ample opportunity to present certified Community Service Chaplaincy. (Photo at right, Chaplain Popejoy and Diana Cardona meet with several Latin American Chaplains.)

We are now honored to have back to back courses in Dublin, Ireland this week and next. National Chaplaincy Coordinator for Ireland, Daniel Sylverston is once again assembling a group of pastors and laity for his 2nd annual Chaplaincy Congress in Dublin.

Please keep us all in your prayers as we instruct another team of men and women to go into the market place of ministry.

PLEASE NOTE: LEVEL III TRAINING is fast approaching. Make your reservation to attend this class May 29th – 31st, 2013, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Online registration is available at www.tiacsc.com.

(NEW) Level III CSC Training – May 29th – May 31st, 2013
Cleveland, Tennessee – USA

Updates and Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Myrna A Moody, Dryden, Washington, reports the following: “Prayer and Needs: Pray for an 8 year old to respond positively to counsel and possible medication. Pray for good guidance for the mother to parent both boys with great success. Thank you. Significant Activities: Drove many miles to give emotional support to a young mother of two boys; helped calm them and give direction and steps for family counsel.”

Community Service Chaplain Ralph Flores, Fairburn, Georgia, submits the following report: “Prayer and Needs: Spanish-English Prison Ministry Inc. I would like to become a Full Time Chaplain in the Prison. Significant Activities: Ministry at Robert Deyton Detention Center.”-Chaplain Flores, thank you for your continued service to the ministry of corrections.

On behalf of a fine Administrative Bishop, Community Service Chaplain and grand supporter of Church of God Chaplaincy I submit a great letter of recognition on behalf of the United Nations:

To His Excellency Bishop Humes,

First of all, I would like to thank you for your availability and your willingness to meet with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As discussed during our meeting, we are actively looking for new partnerships in The Bahamas and in particular we are seeking shelter alternatives for refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. As you are aware, UNHCR has a limited budget for the Caribbean Region and that obliges us to maximize the effective use of our resources. In that sense, I would like to follow up with you to see to what extent UNHCR could make use of some of the dormitories that you have available to host some of the refugees in The Bahamas. For your information currently there are a total of 12 persons of concern to UNHCR that are in need of shelter until a durable solution is found for them (most likely resettlement to a third country). UNHCR is actively working with different Governments and partners in identifying durable solutions for the refugees. However as this is something that not only depends on UNHCR, there is no exact time frame until the most appropriate durable solution is identified.
For your easy reference, I would like to share with you the framework agreement for operational partnership with UNHCR as well as a donation letter that would enable us to transfer any funds required for this arrangement. UNHCR looks forward to working with the Church of God and is available to answer any questions that you may have.

Yours sincerely,

Diego Gomez
Program Associate
UNHCR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Please take note that the CSC website is now located at www.tiacsc.com. Your visit and registration will be appreciated.

The Church of God Irish Chaplains Commission will be hosting our 2nd Annual CSC Training the weekend of May 3-6, 2013, in Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

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Weekly Update April 25, 2013

Friday, April 26, 2013 at 9:28 am

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

This scripture is such a depiction of chaplaincy work. God is making it clear through Peter that even during corrupt times we must hold on to these monumental characteristics in order to stay effective in what He has called us to do. Not only is He making it clear, but it is only through His help that we can even maintain such virtues.

We are able to stand in the midst of opposition, act in kindness and persevere through pain because God is our strength. It amazes me how clearly God outlines what our behavior and lives should portray to the world that is so diligently watching. As chaplains, you can be assured that your every step is carefully watched by those around you. You carry a light and a love within you that these patients, troops and inmates have to consistently see to believe. You know more than anyone that without kindness, love, knowledge and perseverance there is no fruit in what you do.

Take a look at your journey in becoming a chaplain…many of you were required to earn a certain degree, take courses, pursue credentialing and gain experience in the ministry field. As you met these requirements you moved forward in the calling God placed you in. Now you are ministering in such a way that may not have been possible without adding to your faith; for there really is no way to share the knowledge of Christ with others unless you first know Him yourself.

I believe it so important to be reminded of what God expects from us as His children. Peter said himself, “Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you…” (2 Peter 1:13). God desires for us to be reminded of these things because He sees the outcome of our decision to obey. Every time an inmate repeats a prayer of salvation, a troop receives internal healing through truth, and a hospice patient receives the tender love of the Father through the life of a chaplain, it makes every effort to uphold these virtues all the more worth it!

You see, God knows the beginning from the end. It is no accident that He has called each one of you to chaplaincy. He has a specific purpose for each decision He makes. I want to thank you personally for accepting the call God has placed on your life. The reports that come into our office every month prove the effectiveness and fruitfulness of your efforts in this ministry. I pray you are encouraged to know that many have come to the knowledge of God’s saving grace through your decision to serve Him and follow His guidance.

May God bless you abundantly as you continue this amazing journey.

Donnie W. Smith, D.Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy

“You are not qualified to be a chaplain,” is what Peter would have heard from the religious leaders following the Day of Pentecost. That is, if the religious institution of which he was a member would have had chaplains. When standing before the highest council of his church to explain his actions in healing the man crippled from birth, the council quickly determined that Peter did not meet the ecclesiastical qualifications to be a religious leader. Peter, of course, did not engage in the ministry of miraculous healing with institutional authority, but by divine empowerment from the Holy Spirit.

This is a similar message I heard this week from a preacher during the Women in Ministry Week at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. The point was that a person does not minister merely with the credentialing authority of a church, but with the calling and empowerment from the Holy Spirit.

As I reflected on the ministerial limitations that are sometimes placed on women called by God, I could not help but be proud of the women endorsed by the Chaplains Commission who serve as Vocational Chaplains. These women not only meet the educational and professional requirements of the most respected institutions in society, they also minister under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. I fully anticipate Church of God women to reach the highest levels of leadership in the institutions in which they serve as Vocational Chaplains.

As Christians, we shake our heads in disbelief at the spiritual nearsightedness of the Jewish Council that would not acknowledge the anointing on Peter because he did not meet their standards for a religious leader. If I were the endorser back then, I believe I would have found a way to endorse him as a chaplain.

News from the Field

Please remember Correctional Chaplain Carol Johnson and her family in your prayers. Many of you know Carol’s story of losing her daughter several years ago, and then recently losing her granddaughter. Now tragedy has struck Carol again. She last week lost her great grandson in a car accident. Please pray for the Lord to strengthen and sustain her during this overwhelming time of grief.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

This is an extraordinary week for the Community Service Division of the Chaplains Commission. We are in Guatemala City attending a Latin American ministry summit. The Chaplains Commission has the largest instructional portion of the summit, as Dr. Ramirez indicates his desire for a strong chaplaincy program in Latin America.

We are giving a detailed orientation to 30 pastors from 15 countries of Central and South America, as well as one on one interviews with prospective chaplaincy coordinators for these nations. The tools which will be given to these pastors will allow them to begin their important journey of Community Service outreach in Latin America. This photo is part of the international chaplains being trained at the Latin American Summit.

Church of God and The International Association of Community Service Chaplaincy is circling the Globe; and we, in Community Service Chaplainy, are an important part of this ministry. Please continue to support and pray for Community Service Chaplains everywhere. The blessings being realized in Asia and Africa through Chaplaincy minsitry are continuing to be one of the most important outreaches to the church.

PLEASE NOTE: LEVEL III TRAINING is fast approaching. Make your reservation to attend this class May 29th – 31st, 2013, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Online registration is available at www.tiacsc.com.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Ralph Flores, Fairburn, Georgia, reports: Prayer and Needs: “Spanish-English Prison Ministry Inc. I would like to become a Full-Time Chaplain in the Prison.” Significant Activities: “Robert Deyton Detention Center Inc. March 9-13 two services pod a, March 10-13 two services pod d, March 16-13 two services pod c, March 17-13 two services pod a, March 23-13 two services pod a.” Awards and Honors: “Stewart Detention Center, Lumpkin, Georgia, Easter Service One Service, March 30-13, Arrendale State Prison, Alto, Georgia, Easter Service One Service, March 31-13.”

Community Service Chaplain Vannette Jackson Collins, Stamford, Connecticut, reports: Prayer and Needs: “Prayer for all the children in Southern New England.” Significant Activities: “Praying for the community, visiting the sick in the hospital and visiting nursing homes and shut-ins.”

Community Service Chaplain Russell D. Terrell, Middletown, Ohio, reports: Prayer and Needs: “Keep me in your prayers as I recover from surgery.” Significant Activities: “The Holy Ghost moved in a mighty way at the Middletown City Jail this month during our church services. He touched the hearts of 9 men prisoners, who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Thank you, Jesus! Praise God! All we are is a set of hands and feet, and a mouthpiece for Jesus!!” Russell, thanks for your report this month.

Bahamas are now working with the Atlantic Seaboard Chaplaincy Region.

At the request of Bahamian Overseer and Bishop John Humes, the Bahamas Chaplaincy ministry will now coordinate and cooperate with the Atlantic Seaboard Chaplaincy Region. The request was made following a very successful CSC Level I training course, instructed by Chaplain Vernon Landreth. Chaplain Carlos Thompson, Bahamas National Chaplaincy Coordinator, will continue to liaise with Chaplain Landreth to insure continuity of growth and training.

Please take note that the CSC website is now located at www.tiacsc.com. Your visit and registration will be appreciated.

The Church of God Irish Chaplains Commission will be hosting our 2nd Annual CSC Training the weekend of May 3-6, 2013, in Dublin, Ireland.

Please make plans to attend the Annual Training Seminar of The International Association of Community Service Chaplains. The dates of this important training seminar are September 25th – 28th, 2013. Information about this event will be broadcast in May 2013.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

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Weekly Update April 18, 2013

Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 11:18 am

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

The present world we are living in is ever changing, and I dare say it is getting worse by the day. Most of us have heard all of our lives, “Jesus is coming! Be ready, Jesus is coming!” In fact, we have heard it so consistently that the urgency of this warning has faded. God has warned throughout scripture to stay sober and alert so we may not be caught off guard in the last days. My friends please do not be found asleep.

Living everyday dead to the flesh and alive in Christ takes effort, faith, love and hope. It is difficult to be sober and alert with no purpose. It is common to lounge around and be sluggish on occasion when there are no plans on the calendar; however, when there are goals to be made and assignments to be completed, there is no time for laziness or lack of focus. Passionate love for Christ energizes the believer to press on and hope of eternal life within an eternal kingdom encourages us to stay vigilant and awake; however, it is first through faith that we can even achieve the above.

We, as believers in Christ, are on a journey and our destination is heaven. God desires for His people to be spiritually cautious and active, we cannot stand firm against an enemy who desires to intoxicate us unarmed and ill prepared. The enemy wants nothing more than for the children of God to become spiritually weak and idle. God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us through this short life here on earth. Even though, life is indeed short, every day has a kingdom purpose and though there are times we do become weary, the only way for us to be in tune with what God expects of us is to be completely focused on Him.

My heart goes out to the people in Boston who have been affected by the recent bombings that occurred during their annual marathon. My heart not only breaks for those families who have suffered death or bodily injuries, it breaks for those who may not know Christ and therefore have lost all hope. The truth is, we do not know what tomorrow will bring and you know as well as I that it is surely not promised. Please keep Boston in your prayers as they go through this difficult time. The Commission is praying daily for healing and a quick recovery.

As Chaplains, each one of you have made the decision to dedicate your life to the Lord. I want to encourage you this week to stay strong, always watchful (spiritually and physically) of your surroundings and stay full of love. God’s promises are yes and amen and just as sure as there is a beginning and an end, Christ will return for His people! My prayer is that the urgency of His soon coming no longer fades, but increases by the hour. Lord come quickly and let us be found blameless in Your sight!

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:6

Donnie W. Smith, D.Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy

The explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday shook the international community as runners from around the world participated in the event. The media has done a thorough job of keeping us informed on both the facts and speculations pertaining to the attack.

Most of us have offered our prayers from a distance for all those affected. We know God hears our prayers and his hand reaches across the miles to touch those in need.

Though I have not heard anything about the ministry of chaplains in response to the bombing, this tragic event emphasizes the value of vocational chaplaincy. At Boston hospitals where the wounded were taken for treatment, we can be sure that chaplains were fully integrated into the clinical staff. These chaplains provide pastoral support to the injured, to the hospital staff, and to the families of the wounded. It was comforting for those in Boston to know people around the world were praying for them. It is invaluable that the touch point for those prayers is the hand of a chaplain standing beside them. It may be a hospital chaplain like Clinical Chaplain Jeremy Lambert who is an integral part of his hospital team.

We hope the person or persons responsible for the attack are quickly located and brought to justice. When they are locked behind bars, a chaplain will be there to provide ministry. The guilty person or persons who will stand before a court will someday stand before God. Chaplains minister to the eternal soul.

It may be a chaplain like Correctional Chaplain Timothy Staggs. Tim is an experienced Vocational Chaplain, yet new to Correctional Chaplaincy. He weekly preaches the gospel, teaches the Word, and provides pastoral care to the 1400 inmates incarcerated in his facility. He rejoices, as do the angels in heaven, when offenders come and pray the sinner’s prayer. He admits that sometimes the ministry is intense, as it recently was following the stabbing of a staff member.

I am thankful for our courageous, well trained, Church of God Vocational Chaplains who minister in the intense events of life. They are God’s hand of compassion to the hurting, as well as, God’s heart of conviction to those who have inflicted the hurt.

News from the Field

Congratulations to Elizabeth Buckner who was selected to serve as an Army National Guard Chaplain. Elizabeth and her husband, Edward, live in Providence, RI where she serves the Associate Pastor for the Beacon Avenue Church of God.

Congratulations to Otis Coles who was selected to serve as an Army Reserve Chaplain. He and his wife, Shevon, have two children, Otis and Nila.

Congratulations to Allen Galindez who was selected to serve as an Army Reserve Chaplain. He and his wife, Amanda, have one son, Noah.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

In our recent training seminars around the world, the Community Service Chaplaincy department of the Church of God Chaplains Commission is seeing a greater need to focus on family issues. Domestic Violence is on the increase and the stressors of life seem to be overwhelming men and women everywhere. After every training session, there are men and women who personally comment to our instructors how they have been helped by the training. The irony is the training is actually designed to equip men and women, new CSC chaplains to assist others in the market place ministry and outreach. Yet, they themselves testify of being helped. For this, we are very privileged to be part of the lives of these men and women.

This week, I finalize a long training journey to South Africa. Level I and Level II training seminars were taught across the country over a 31 day period. As many as 20 training instructors were certified as Community Service Trainers for the Church of God and for The International Association of Community Service Chaplains. With this certification, the instructors are already scheduling new courses in South Africa and even in Zimbabwe. In addition to the trainers which have been certified, we were also able to certify 115 new Community Service Chaplains and to certify 66 Level II Community Service Chaplains. Among the newly certified are 12 academic students from the South African Pentecostal Bible College in Irene, South Africa. They are shown in the attached picture.

Church of God and TIACSC chaplaincy is circling the Globe, and we, in CSC chaplaincy are an important part of this ministry. Please continue to support and pray for Community Service Chaplains everywhere.

PLEASE NOTE: LEVEL III TRAINING is fast approaching. Make your reservation to attend this class May 29th – 31, 2013, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Online registration is available at www.tiacsc.com.

Reports from the Field

On March 16, 2013, the Puerto Rican chaplaincy had the 4th National Chaplain Day. It was attended by the directors of 25 agencies and ministries of chaplaincy in Puerto Rico and outside the country.

The event was dedicated to the Hospice and Hospital chaplains. Two awards were given to two institutions. The San Francisco Hospital and CPE program and the Peace Hospice were both recognized.

Also recognized were six chaplains: two hospital chaplains, two hospice chaplains and two Virgin Islands chaplains, for the contribution to the development of the Commission of Chaplaincy in the Caribbean. We are very grateful to Community Service Chaplain Ismael Ponce for his continued dedication.

Community Service Chaplain Mark Ledbetter, Sylacauga, Alabama, reports: Significant Activities: “Appointed Chaplain Coordinator for the Sylacauga Police Department. Responsibilities include managing, recruiting and training chaplains for the department. Established Emergency Response Safety Security Consultants (ERSSC), a service assessing safety and security issues for local church and community that assists with development of an emergency operation plan; can train local members to serve on point of distribution team members as an outreach in disaster, how to respond to active shooter, become a point of distribution, serve elderly and those with special needs.” Congrats again, Mark; doing a great job.

Regional Coordinator continues to grow chaplaincy ministry!

Atlantic Seaboard Regional Coordinator Vernon Landreth (who serves as Chaplain for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office), along with ASR Chaplains Dr. Pam Frasier and EMT Lesa Viers, responded to Carroll County after a 95 vehicle crash on Interstate 77 South in Carroll County took the lives of 3 and injured more than 20. The local VFW opened its doors to establish a shelter where the Red Cross and a host of local citizen volunteers were able to receive a school bus full of survivors. The survivors were provided with food, physical and emotional care and were assisted in housing and transportation. In addition to ASR Chaplains, Chaplain Landreth called in fellow team members from the Wythe County Local Emergency Planning Commission’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and was able to help Survivors and First Responders in the aftermath of this tragic accident. Once the Chaplains and CISM Team Members were established in the Shelter, Chaplain Landreth served in the Sheriff’s Communications Center in order to provide instant response and aide to any of the responding agencies for the duration of the crisis event. The ASR Chaplains along with the CISM Team will be providing follow up care and debriefings in the days that follow.

Community Service and Fire Chaplain William Howard, Saginaw, Michigan, report: Prayer and Needs: “For the families of firefighters who have recently died. A Saginaw Firefighter recovering from cancer radiation treatments and is very ill.” Significant Activities: “My activities for this month are drastically reduced due to my falling on ice last month and injury to my right hand, arm and shoulder. An MRI is pending. My hours at the fire stations were very few; I did, however, communicate via telephone and texting and emails.” Thank you, Chaplain Howard, for your continued dedication to the Saginaw fire community.

The Church of God Irish Chaplains Commission will be hosting our 2nd Annual CSC Training the weekend of May 3-6, 2013, in Dublin, Ireland.

(NEW) Level III CSC Training – May 29th – May 31st, 2013,
Cleveland, Tennessee – USA

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

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