Church of God Chaplains Commission

“And they shall call his name Emmanuel … God with us” (Matt. 1:23).

During this season of the year most of us are focused on a number of things such as family gatherings, church related events, purchasing gifts and an assortment of other seasonal lists. And yet, life goes on! For the chaplain, ministry continues. Crisis moments do not know nor understand holiday seasonal pauses. In fact, it is certain that during this time of the year many families face their greatest hour of distress. Many are overwhelmed by job loss, financial crisis, family illness and yes, even death. In areas where winter weather is so crushing, a number of elderly people do not survive and the homeless fight to see if they can make it through another horrible winter season. Without question, this is, for many, a time of both blessing and burden.

One thing is certain, the older I get the more sensitive I am to those who are less fortunate and those who face trauma during this time of year. I well remember that it was during this season that I lost my mother in death some eight years past. And, it was during this time of year that Barbara’s mother passed away about ten years ago. You see, this season can be both good and bad for us all. Nevertheless, the Word of God is true – “God is with us”. This Christmas season, I sense the presence of God more than ever before. Barbara and I have faced a challenging year. I am thankful to still have her whole and healthy. God has truly been with us. I have witnessed the hand of God moving in such miraculous ways just this year and I have also wept with those who have faced ultimate loss of life of their loved ones as well as other trauma.

Today, I am reminded of a family friend in Alabama whose wife was injured during the spring storms of the southeastern U.S. While he rebuilds his home, he has to stop each day to visit his wife in a rehab center. Even though months have passed, this young lady is still unresponsive. But listen, God is with us. When Barbara suffered the two strokes this past summer she said the one thing God told her to do was to praise him in the good and in the bad. Yes, in all things He is Emmanuel – God with us! And, this one thing we must not forget this holiday season – He is there!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

David said to me after the ceremony, “I can’t believe I ran four miles yesterday, just for fun.” I was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, last week for the retirement and change-of-command ceremony for Chaplain (COL) David Smartt, who is retiring from the Army after twenty-nine years to take a position at Lee University as a professor.

Chaplain Smartt has enjoyed a varied and productive career ministering in numerous locations and positions as an Army Chaplain. In most recent years, he has served as the senior chaplain at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on the Chief of Chaplains staff in the Pentagon, as the Command Chaplain for the Installation Management Command, and is retiring as the Commandant of the Army Chaplain Center and School where he has trained over 2,000 chaplains, chaplain candidates, and chaplain assistants. David and his wife Merial have represented the Church of God well in ministering to many thousands of Soldiers and their families over the years.

David Smartt, Ph.D. is retiring from Army Chaplaincy, but not from ministry. As a Lee professor, he will continue to educate and influence young men and women in preparation for life and service to the Lord. God has a place of ministry for each of our Vocational Chaplains who transition from Vocational Chaplaincy. You are a valuable asset to the Kingdom of Christ and the Church of God.

Standing in the change-of-command ceremony as one of Chaplain Smartt’s students in the Chaplain Basic Course was a new Church of God Army Chaplain (CPT) David Redden. David will graduate this week and he and his wife, Barbara, and their family will report to Fort Hood, Texas, right after Christmas to begin their exciting journey of ministry in the Army. The Reddens are one of the Church of God’s outstanding ministry teams, who after many years of pastoring God called into the chaplaincy. I could not be more proud to have David representing the Church of God as an Army Chaplain.

It was a great day to celebrate with David Smartt at the end of his distinguished Army career, and to rejoice with David Redden in his excitement on just beginning his. Oh, by the way, the David who ran the four miles just for fun was David Redden.

News from the Field

Congratulations to Air Force Reserve Chaplain Michael Doan who was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Michael also serves as a VA Chaplain.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

“Peace on Earth, good will toward all people.” It is hard for me, and I think it must be equally hard for you, to imagine any time in history that has been more in need of Peace and Good Will among all people. Nor, has there been a time when those of us who name ourselves Christian have been more vulnerable to cynicism and doubt, and attacks on our faith. Where do we look for hope? It is with certainty that we look to the heavens and to the One who is both Creator and Savior. Jesus Christ the King! Christ has been persecuted from His own infancy; and when Jesus is persecuted, the church is persecuted and even the world trembles at this. This is borne out by St. Matthew when he wrote in the 2nd chapter of his Gospel:
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.”
Herod was troubled, and if the King or leader is troubled, then the nation is troubled. It has been so, since the birth of Christ. Take heart, stand strong and do not waiver from our faith. God is using us and will continue to do so as long as it pleases Him!
I am proud to be in service with so many faithful men and women of God. Additionally, the unbelievable faith that you have exemplified over the past year is not only remarkable, but I believe miraculous. May Christ be glorified in all of our lives and family activities this Christmas season.
Reports from the field

Community Service Chaplain James Ahearn, Hunt Station, New York, reports, “Please pray for God’s blessing and leading in job situations. Significant Activities: 1 hospice haircut. I volunteered to clean cots
for the Red Cross. Attended chaplain’s meeting at church. I was able serve weekly as an usher and was part of our church’s harvest party team. I am able to serve monthly in our church’s children church ministry.” Fantastic, James, great ministry opportunities!

Community Service Chaplain John McClure, Westlake, Ohio, requests, “Please pray for discernment of God’s direction in the ministry, also pray for my health, as I went into the hospital on November 6th for a heart attack. HOWEVER, PRAISE GOD, the heart attack was RULED OUT; but they did find some blockage and things just haven’t been right since.” John, we will pray for you as this must be most difficult for your family, especially during the holiday season.

Please click the following link to hear an interview from Haiti.
Nesmy Profete Interview

Community Service Chaplain Pat Dew, Madisonville, Kentucky, reports, “Provided Thanksgiving meals to the needy, and also providing a Chaplain in our Food Bank to assist those in need, we are seeing salvations.” Praise the Lord, Pat.

Law Enforcement Chaplain Jeffrey D. Wolf, Milford, Ohio, reports that he is continuing to teach Citizens Police Academy for the Miami, Ohio Township Police Department.

Community Service Chaplain Anthony Clarkbanks, Semmes, Alabama, submits, “Prayers and Needs: keep praying for my wife and family. I only have 4 weeks left in the CPE course; pray for me to make it through. Awards and Presentations: I was promoted in the Alabama State Defense Force to Captain/Chaplain. My added duties consist of working with the United States Army National Guard Reserve unit in Mobile, Alabama, to establish a new officer candidate manual for the State Defense Force. Also, I still work with the Chickasaw Alabama Police Department as their volunteer Chaplain.”

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

Some thirty-eight years ago I was appointed to serve as pastor of the Leeds, Alabama Church of God near the metropolitan area of Birmingham. It wasn’t a large congregation. In fact, our attendance was less than 30 when I first arrived. However, at 23 years of age, it was, to me, a divine appointment. It was also my first encounter with a full-time chaplain. I was busy building a church parsonage that Dr. James Cross, my overseer, had stated I needed to build although I’m not sure I knew anything about how to do it. In our church, we had an elderly gentleman that had come to know Christ late in life. He was suffering severely from emphysema and always walked in church late with his oxygen tank in tow. He was a sweet man but talked very little. At the time, I was working on the parsonage from daylight till dark and then doing church visits, etc. in the evening. It was exhausting but also a great time of learning.

One night, after retiring to bed at midnight, I was fast asleep when the telephone rang at 2 a.m. On the other end of the line was his wife informing me that he was dying and I was needed at the hospital. I quickly dressed, reminded myself that I was really important now, and attempted to wake up on the way to the hospital. As I walked through the corridors of the hospital, I kept reminding myself of how important it was to be a pastor, even though I wasn’t clear as to how much I believed my own personal “pep talk”. In a few moments, I was in the room and his wife announced, “Oh pastor, you’re here!” Then she said, “Bud is dying, I’m going to the cafeteria to wait, please call me when he dies.” I protested but I don’t think she was listening. For those who have heard me share this story, you would know that over the next few minutes he asked that I bathe him and I remembered that my Lee College degree did not include, “Bathing dying church members 101”, but it wasn’t a request, it was an insistence.

After I finished getting him clean and changed he quietly said, “Thank you pastor, you had no idea” and then he rose up and reached for someone and said, “thank you Jesus” and he died! I was totally surprised and did not know what to do, where upon a hospital chaplain entered and began to lead me in knowing how to help a family when a loved one dies. You see, this is what each of you do every week. You help families in crisis periods and you also help young pastors who don’t know what to do. This is your gifting, it is your call and I for one will always be grateful for the chaplain who helped me in the most awkward time of my young pastoral work. May God bless you for daily blessing others!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

It was a solemn and eerie few moments watching the drops of oil surface on the murky water and quickly dissipate in the gently moving currents beneath which are entombed 1,177 sailors in the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. The watery mausoleum that is a place today for quiet meditation and reflection was a place of unprecedented horror for 110 minutes on December 7, 1941. Today is Pearl Harbor Day and we take time to remember.

It is interesting to read about the 28 chaplains who were there on the island of Oahu that day. One of them, Thomas L. Kirkpatrick, was below deck when a Japanese warplane dropped a bomb down the smoke stack of the USS Arizona penetrating five decks below to the boiler room before exploding. This was followed by another bomb that found the forward magazine area and ignited an explosion with the intensity of one million pounds of TNT. Chaplain Kirkpatrick was where he should have been that Sunday—with his sailors.

Ministering outside the walls of the church can carry with it some risks, more spiritual than physical. Some chaplains working in a pluralistic environment can become disillusioned with their own religious and spiritual foundations and become a casualty of unbelief in the bedrock doctrines of the faith. Others can become so identified with their secular institution that they forget they are there to represent Christ. It is important for chaplains frequently to conduct personal risk assessments to avoid becoming a casualty for the wrong reasons.

Some risks are inherent in chaplaincy ministry. Chaplain Kirkpatrick knew serving as a Navy Chaplain could be dangerous. His sailors were cognizant of the dangers too, which made his presence with them all the more meaningful.

Chaplain Kirkpatrick didn’t have the pride of standing on the deck of the USS Arizona shoulder to shoulder with his fellow shipmates as they steamed into home port with family and friends welcoming them home. He does have the honor of lying in death with his sailors as a faithful chaplain. Through his faith in Christ and his ministry to his men, someday we will know how many sailors will line the streets of heaven as a result of his ministry. Today we remember.

News from the Field

Congratulations to Air Force Chaplain Lance Giannone who was promoted to the rank of MAJOR last week.

Congratulations to Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his tour of duty at Fort Eustis, VA. Jeff also received the prestigious Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael from his Aviation unit. Jeff and Teresa are en route to Wiesbaden Germany.

Congratulations to Navy Reserve Chaplain, LT Ethan Everts who was appointed as the Associate Pastor at the Mount Olivet Worship Center, KS.

Congratulations to Army Chaplain Ric Rivers who was promoted to the rank of Captain last week.

Army Chaplain (CPT) Ismael Serrano was sharing with me this week the excitement of ministering in a training unit full of new troops. The last Sunday in November 25 Soldiers gave their hearts to the Lord. Ismael has baptized at least fifteen Soldiers each month he has been there.

Remember Chaplain Dan Wessell and his wife Cheryl in your prayers. Cheryl lost her father, Don Miller, who passed away on November 20 at the age of 77.

Clinical Chaplain Dennis DuPont and CSC Chaplains Bob and Irene Gibson provided counseling support to the Heritage Community Church in Severn Maryland in the aftermath of a car accident that took the lives of two teens of the church the Friday after Thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for these skilled chaplains who were able to provide support during this crisis.

Congratulations to Clinical Chaplain Rick Mann who is now a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Minnesota. Rick has taken a new position as a counselor with a Christian organization in Brainerd, MN.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News
Chaplaincy in Haiti is moving ahead and being used dramatically by the Lord, the Church in Haiti, and the Church of God. I am writing you from our Chaplaincy Command Center in Port-au-Prince. I am joined by Steve Wallace, my wife Becky, and our national Chaplaincy Coordinator, Nesmy Profete.

To date we have been able to train 30 disaster Chaplains, 77 CSC chaplains and approximately 100 local church chaplains. The overwhelming earthquake of January 2010 is behind, reconstruction and ministry is continuing, and we are grateful to the Lord that we, (the Chaplains Commission), have been able to be a part of this great response to the Island Nation of Haiti. To all of our Chaplains and Pastors who have assisted in these past two years, we are sincerely appreciative for your ministry and sacrifices.

Although our training of Chaplains remains a priority in order to keep the best trained and qualified chaplains on the front lines of ministry, we have hit a milestone in our Chaplains Commission training portfolio. God has given us some very talented Haitian Chaplains who have demonstrated great abilities in disaster response and debriefing. This fantastic team of Chaplains and leaders are very able to carry the torch of ministry to their fellow citizens who have been so affected by past storms and the earthquake. Please join with me as we encourage this team of ministers to accept the responsibility of teaching, training and ministry.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Cecy Rodriguez, Chicago, Illinois reports: “Special Prayer request for the Christian Youth; for Guidance, Direction and Understanding of God’s word and also for their protection.” Significant Activities: “This month I had the opportunity to counsel and most importantly listen to a teenage female facing low self esteem and suicidal thoughts. I also went to visit a family member of a neighbor at Rush Hospital in Chicago (Also a Youth) who was mistaken for someone else and was beaten by Gang members. Working closely with youth as a youth leader at my congregation motivates me to seek more of God and to do all I can to make a difference in their world.”

Community Service Chaplain Tammy Kappelman, Swan, Iowa, reports the following: “Please keep my husband and me in prayer. Please pray for some urgent issues which my family is facing. God is Faithful to understand our needs. Also, be in prayer for myself as I need a job immediately.” Significant Activities: I am involved in the Prison Ministry Street Evangelism every Friday night as well as Feeding the Homeless.”

Community Service Chaplain Coordinator Bob Schmidt, Oradea, Romania reports receiving a shipment of humanitarian goods for the poor of Romania. “Jake, we got the truck, and about 1,000 presents, clothing items, and other necessary goods arrived from the Samariten Dienst in Germany. Praise the Lord!”

Community Service Chaplain John Alton, Rock Hill, South Carolina reports the following: “One officer in Spartanburg was injured in a shooting. One officer in Lancaster was wounded in a shooting.” Significant Activities: “We gave away 105 food boxes during the week of Thanksgiving.” Praise the Lord John! Thanks for your great ministry.

Hispanic Chaplaincy Report

Esta semana, fue una de esas semanas intensas en el proyecto nacional de promover nuestro Seminario de “Capellania de Servicio Comunitario”. Como siempre una gran cantidad de experiencias emocionantes que compartir, momentos de amistad con personas especiales y encuentros que yo calificaria como citas divinas y en medio de toda esta actividad, el Espiritu Santo obrando milagrosamente abriendo puertas de oportunidad literalmente mientras caminamos. Tal y como le sucedia a el Pueblo de Israel que caminaba con una columna de fuego que alumbraba en la noche y una nube que los guiaba y les daba cuidado durante el dia.

Que alegria saber que Jesucristo es el mismo de ayer, hoy y por todos los siglos, que alegria saber que podemos disfrutar de su cuidado y direccion este mismo dia, en este mismo momento!

Como les decia esta semana le toco a Chicago IL. y como siempre que estoy en Chicago, lo disfrute al maximo. Por supuesto la actividad principal fue la graduacion de 49 nuevos Capellanes de Servicio Comunitario, con lo que estamos cruzando la barrer
a de los 300 nuevos Capellanes Hispanos en lo que va del anio solamente en los Estados Unidos de America. Y un gran numero de estos 300 Capellanes son Pastores de tiemplo completo lo que nos da una gran satisfaccion y esperanza.

El Obispo Administrativo de la Region Hispana Norte en USA, estuvo con nosotros en la ceremonia de graduacion por lo que estamos muy agradecidos, El Dr. Navas pronuncio palabras de reconocimiento a todos los capellanes de la region y reconocio tambien el Excelente trabajo que esta desarrollando el Coordinador Regional el Dr. Alberto R. Arias.

Por su parte el Dr. Alberto R. Arias hizo entrega de los Diplomas y las Certificaciones, asi tambien como las Placas de Capellan de Servicio Comunitario a todos los graduantes.

Mi viaje a Chicago continuo con una participacion en un foro de propuestas en politicas de inmigracion realizado por la prestigiada organizacion “World Relief” en la que representando a la Comision de Capellanes de la Iglesia de Dios me pronuncie por una reforma migratoria comprensible en nuestro pais.

Inmediatamente despues nos fuimos a una platica con Jovenes lideres de una iglesia local que esta siendo relevante en la comunidad, me refiero a la iglesia del Rvdo. Angel Najera, que es tambien un excelente lider en la iglesia hispana de la ciudad de Chicago.

Para finalizar mi estancia en la ciudad de los vientos, termine la agenda con una entrevista en Radio Esperanza en el Instituto Moody, un de los institutos biblicos mas importantes del pais. Esta entrevista fue conducida magistralmente por Jonathan Alarcon quien me saco palabras e informacion que hasta yo mismo me sorprendi, la verdad que da gusto mirar jovenes talentosos en sectores tan importantes y tan estrategicos para el avance del Evangelio en nuestra comunidad hispana.

Felicidades Jonathan por tu importante participacion en el mundo de las comunicaciones y quiero dar una mencion especial al programa “Que pasa Chicago” por su influencia positiva en los aires de la ciudad de los vientos. a Dios sea la Gloria para siempre. Aleluya!

Capellan Abel Cuen
Hispanic Coordinator USA.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

Church of God
Chaplains Commission
Weekly Update

November 30, 2011

Fulfilling our Missional Mandate

A couple of weeks ago, while visiting the Philippines, Jake Popejoy and I had the opportunity to be present during Pastor Gerald Holloway’s seventieth (70) birthday celebration. The staff at “Word for the World Church” did an excellent job in making his birthday a very important time for celebration and praise. I thought it unique how the staff incorporated the Pastor’s 31 year anniversary at this church together with his birthday event. And, while Dr. Popejoy and I were in Manila to conduct a “Community Emergency Response Training” course, it was refreshing to observe these two moments and reflect on how important they were. Once I had arrived home, I received by mail an invitation to Chaplain (Col.) David Smartt’s retirement ceremony and other related events surrounding this grand moment for an outstanding chaplain and also a great member of our Church of God Chaplain’s Commission. All of these, wrapped together, cause me to think even more about the importance of completing and/or fulfilling our own personal missional mandate. Each and every week, we receive reports of chaplains all around the world who are truly fulfilling their missional mandate. God has called each of us and challenge us to stay the course. I thank God for every remembrance of you and all the work that you do for Christ and the Kingdom of God. Make no mistake about it, there will always be attempts to detour you from your course. But, God has called each of us to a ministry of fulfillment. The same one who called us is able to keep us until the time he has designated for us to complete his work. May God bless each of you as you continue on.

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

Due to the sensitivity of the situation and not wanting to deal with the public disgrace, Joseph decided to break off the relationship with his pregnant fiancée Mary privately and secretly. Joseph’s reaction was predictably normal, keep embarrassing personal matters private.

To whom could Joseph talk about his personal dilemma and yet know that it would remain private and secret? If he was living today, he could talk to you—a chaplain. Chaplains are safe people to go to for help for the guarded areas of life. With the exception of some state laws, a client knows that the secrets shared with a chaplain remain secret. Not every chaplain lives up to the expectation of confidentiality. There are unprofessional professionals in every profession.

From personal experience, I know that it is not only the un-churched in a chaplain’s institution who seek out the chaplain for help with personal issues. A faithful member of a local church will come to the chaplain at work for spiritual guidance regarding a sensitive issue because he does not want his pastor to know the embarrassing secret. A chaplain equipped with counseling skills, working under the code of confidentiality and filled with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit is a vital asset to the kingdom of God.

God sent an angel to guide Joseph in how to deal with Mary’s pregnancy. The Lord and the Church of God have sent you to be that one hurting people can go to when they know no other safe place to go lay bare their souls. Church of God Chaplains collectively help hundreds of people every day work through tough issues of life. Thank you for all you do, including those things known only by you, your clients and the Lord.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Update from the Field

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are terms with which most of us, in North America, are familiar. They have become “important” indicators of our national affluence and especially the focus, which we have put upon items of importance to each of us. However, something else “Important” happened on these days. Community Service Chaplains around the world visited the sick in hospitals, fed the poor and homeless and visited the widow, the orphan and the infirm. Additionally, these Community Service Chaplains rode in patrol cars, responded to domestic violence situations and manned countless “hotlines” for suicide and depression, as well as operated soup kitchens and clothing closets for the needy. All of this, they did on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Jim and Gina Hudson (Haiti), Bob and Caroline Schmidt (Romania), Dennis and Vanna Tanner (Scotland), Kathy Popejoy (Philippines), Luciana Thevenin (Haiti) and many other Community Service Chaplains and friends to the Chaplains Commission spent their holiday on foreign soil. What were they doing? They are helping people. This is the hallmark of Chaplaincy. Wherever there are people, there are problems. And where there are problems, we find Community Service Chaplains ready to assist.

Reports and requests

Chaplain Robert Acevedo, Lakeland, Florida, reports: “Please pray for Continual Strength, Wisdom & new strategies against the enemy.” Significant Activities: Visiting patients & families in Hospitals, Hospice & homes to encourage & pray for them.

Chaplain Rudy Burroughs, Anderson, South Carolina, reports, “I am still doing some private counseling and enjoying it.” Rudy, thanks for your ministry and thank you for your past military service to our nation.

Community Service Chaplain Wendolyn Martinez, Northlake, Illinois, gives the following report, “Helped a woman from California that needed to find an apartment. I gave her as much information as I could find for her. I was able to listen to her problems and situation and was able to see her confidence in God grow. She trusts God will be the provider of her needs.”

Community Service Chaplain Dan Alewine, Mundfordville, Kentucky, sends the following report, “A truck driver that attended Truck Stop Ministries was moved by the service I had in October. He called me from New York afterwards to ask me questions about the Bible and is also having hip surgery. Please pray for Tom.”

Community Service Chaplain (LE) David Pinkard, Shreveport, Louisiana, continues to do exciting and faithful chaplaincy ministry with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Congratulations to Chaplain Dean Yancey, Cleveland, Tennessee, for completed his FEMA course IS-26 PODS course. Great job, Dean!

Community Service Chaplain Jake Popejoy, Cleveland, Tennessee, requests, “Please remember Mary Landreth, of Draper, Virginia. She has been struggling with illness for some time now and I would greatly appreciate it if we would keep her on our prayer list. Thank you.

John Walsh, Co. Cork, Ireland, reports, “I have been asked to share this by Kay McGrath, whose husband was given up for dead last March. By God’s mercy and the prayers of the faithful, he is restored to full health. The doctors have admitted he is a miracle. Kay appreciates all who stood in the gap for Jack and shares how people all around the world prayed for her husband.

I ask prayer for a young man Andrew O. Riordan 24 years old, who was in my youth group many years ago. He is diagnosed with cancer in the brain and spine. He needs a touch from the lord and he is saved. Thank you again for being there. I will fill you in on my recent trip to the hospital last week in my report this month. All is well with no problems.

PS. I am heading to West Cork tomorrow to officiate at a wedding where 40 bikers are attending. I will were my suit at the first part of the service and second part will wear my biker jacket which states Jesus is Lord and Jesus died for bikers too. Keep me in your prayers.”

Review of activities

The following items were noted at the Chaplain Commission’s annual Christmas Banquet.

Since 1994, Community Service Chaplains have trained 8,120 prospective Chaplains with 19% of USA pastors certified as Community Service Chaplains.

Church of God Chaplaincy and Care Center is in operational mode in Oradea, Romania, with training, Benevolence and Community outreaches to Moldova, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Over 660 reporting chaplains world-wide function regularly in hospitals, prisons, law enforcement agencies and campuses, industries, racetracks, juvenile courts, victim assistance, inner city housing projects, etc.

Disaster Response Chaplaincy teams are located in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Philippines, Canada and the USA.

Unprecedented Hispanic Chaplaincy growth is being experienced both in USA and Latin America. Two Hispanic Chaplaincy Centers organized, one in Chicago, one in Dallas and a third planned in Orlando before the General Assembly.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains