Church of God Chaplains Commission

On our recent trip to Romania and Hungary we were privileged to witness the unbelievable work of our chaplains who labor for Christ and the Kingdom under far less than the best circumstances. One point in fact is the significant financial battles they face daily. Things we take for granted, such as easy access to food products, gasoline, equipment and even adequate heating serve as primary obstacles every day. Gasoline is somewhere between $8.00 and $10.00 (USD) per gallon.

Bob and Caroline Schmidt have been ministering on behalf of the Church of God in Oradea, Romania for some five years now and have done an excellent job in serving as directors for our Chaplaincy and Care Center. They will be leaving following the Assembly this summer and we wish them well. Already an excellent replacement, who is a native of Romania who grew up in Oradea will be coming in the fall with his wife and three children. Brother Ulian is currently completing his CPE work at Vanderbuilt and we are so pleased with his vision for chaplaincy. He and his entire family are excited to return to their homeland and possess a great vision for enhancing our chaplaincy outlook.

While we were in Europe we witnessed firsthand the protest in major cities such as Bucharest and Budapest. We were blessed not to get hemmed in by any of these as many became violent. It is clear the world is in a quagmire of highly charged frustration and unabated anger. Please pray for all our chaplains who daily deal with these unpredictable challenges.

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

I had the opportunity to eat lunch with the Army Chief of Chaplains, CH (MG) Don Rutherford, during the Armed Forces Chaplains Board Conference in Washington, DC earlier this month. In Chaplain Rutherford’s presentation to the endorsers in the morning session he emphasized that, he is focusing the Army Chaplaincy mission on providing “religious” support above “spiritual” care. During lunch, I asked him to elaborate more on this point. He stated that Title X of the law places chaplains in the Army primarily for religious purposes and the free exercise thereof.

Vocational Chaplains understand the nuances between religious care and spiritual care. The broader category of spiritual care may or may not include religion. I know that in some settings institutions are moving chaplains toward providing spiritual care as their primary task with religion taking a secondary role. Even the term “pastoral care” is being challenged by those who believe it reflects a religious bias. A more neutral term that I have seen is “chaplaincy care.”

If chaplaincy moves away from a religious center to one focused primarily on the psychological and emotional wellbeing of the client, then the subsequent argument may be that chaplains do not need to be clergy whose primary training is in religion.

I am encouraged and supportive of Chaplain Rutherford’s emphasis on the religious support role for Army Chaplains. The people chaplains serve are diverse. Chaplains encounter a few atheists who want nothing to do with any type of religion. The vast majority, however, welcome the chaplain who brings to the pastoral relationship a vibrant faith in God.
I am confident Church of God Chaplains are men and women of God first, and staff members of institutions second. The Commission Staff prays daily for the Lord to empower you through the Spirit to minister effectively to those who benefit from your chaplaincy ministry.

News from the Field

Congratulations to Army Chaplain (CPT) Raymond Pettitt who was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Saber Plaque for his service in the 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

Industrial Chaplain Roger Lafferty enjoys an important pastoral status with the employees of Smith Services. As their chaplain he conducts pastoral visits to employees and their families in and out of the work place to include hospital and prison visits. This past month he rejoices in the two individuals who gave their lives to the Lord through his ministry efforts.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

God has blessed us to begin a new Chaplaincy ministry in the City of Sofia, in Bulgaria. Chaplain Bob Schmidt and myself are presently concluding a Level 1 CSC training with a total of 32 participants. Level 1 certification will be given to these chaplains upon completion of this week’s course.

Dinko Zlatarov is serving as the national coordinator for the new Bulgarian CSC ministry. Office and training space has been provided for us at no cost. For this we truly give thanks to the Lord!

SPECIAL PRAYER

Please be in prayer for Petia Zlatarova, she is the wife of Dinko the national chaplain coordinator in Bulgaria. Petia was hit by a car while walking her son to the Hospital. She has a concussion, but no apparent breaks. Please pray for her healing.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Lee Patterson, Francesville, Indiana, reports the following to us: “Please pray for Gary Varney, a 50 year old with cerebral palsy; he is in pain and choking. Also pray for Forest Miller who was hit head on by a driver who was asleep at the wheel; he is in his 80s and lots of broken bones. Significant Activities: On call at the Hospital 5 days, 3 visits at the hospital, 1 funeral, 1 wedding.” Lee, thanks for all of your continued faithful work.

Community Service Chaplain Tammy Kappelman, Des Moines, Iowa, sends us the following report: “Pray for my family and our needs. Please agree in prayer for God’s direction and peace through every issue. Significant Activities: December 3, 2011 – I I have taken a group of 8 individuals from my church-Destiny Bible Church to visit & deliver food & clothing to the homeless at their camps. I worked with my Pastor John Meaux and our church through the month of November gathering items for this
outing. We took all donated items & delivered them to people who go to the Central IA Shelter & Services.”

Community Service Chaplain Rick Walraven, Altoona, Iowa, reports the following: “Involvement in Disaster Response. Significant Activities: Got a call from Jake Popejoy to respond to three separate natural disasters: #1. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 5/14/11 – 5/24/11. #2. Joplin MO., 5/26/11 – 6/2/11. #3 Minot, ND. 8/6/11 – 8/12/11.” Rick we sincerely thank you for your services to God, the church and the Community.

Community Service Chaplain Michael Horton, Estavan, Saskatchewan, Canada, offers the following report: “Significant Activities: I am senior Chaplain for the Estevan Comprehensive high school football program, and department of athletics. Also, associate chaplain for the professional CFL team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders located in Regina, Sk. What I do with the team is conduct pregame services
primarily for the visiting teams. Senior Chaplain Barret Kropf does primarily the roughriders home chapel services as well as on site work during the week. Also share in crisis intervention or care ministry on personal level with players as needed too. I have been a Chaplain in this context of sports (football) for three years now.”

Community Service Chaplains Greg and Holly Charlesworth, Miamisburg, Ohio, report the following: “Significant Activities: Through our Peace of Mind Ministry we helped three families who otherwise would not have had much of a Christmas, we provided gifts of toys, clothes and coats . All told there are 7 kids who are provided for this Christmas. We also provided Christmas dinner to one family of 5 whose food stamps were inadequate. We have also helped new arrivals to the area info leading to their getting help with housing, food stamps, access to a case worker and other support. We have become active in a neighborhood church just starting up a Celebrate Recovery ministry. Greg is a 12 Step Group leader and is helping many men who are in recovery from hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Holly is beginning a children’s ministry for the attendees of the Celebrate Recovery as well.”

Hispanic Chaplaincy Report- Hispanic Director USA, Abel Cuen

Abriendo Nuevos Surcos (Opening New Tracks)
Mexico City, Mexico

“I did not know I could minister without being a licensed minister”, this is one of the phrases shared by one of the females students in class. There was excitement in the air and anticipation. Students gathered from Mexico City and from other areas. The Chaplains Commission held its first class in Mexico City, Mexico this 2-4 of January. There were 27 students who attended the course through Mizpah, the local Bible Institute, and their lives will never be the same again.
They came as students, pastors, laity and pastoral alike and were engaged for three days on the subject of chaplaincy. It was an exciting time as we opened new tracks (surcos) and believed for what could be in Mexico. Chaplaincy in Mexico is different because it is new. There does not exist such a thing.

The Instructor, Rev. Victor M. Artreche shared with them the philosophies of Chaplaincy ministry and they looked like little kids with ice-cream, they were taking it all in and asked questions left and right.
The seed that was planted in those days – only heaven will know the outcome. But we do know one thing that their lives will never be the same because, “you can minister without a license.”

All Walks of Life
Southeast Hispanic Region Church of God

Mechanics, Workers, Staff, Pastors, Leaders, Laity; these are just a few of the groups of people that were at the meeting. There was excitement in the atmosphere as the training began. Rev. Victor M. Artreche, the Southeastern Hispanic regional Director and his staff were ready for them when they arrived.
Along with Pastor Vic: Rev. Ismael Ponce (Caribbean Director for Chaplaincy) and the International Director for the Hispanics, Rev. Abel Cuen helped along in the training.

Resources were handed out that were given by various agencies to help the new chaplains.
The day was full of excitement, energy, and the presence of the Lord filled our day with possibilities for ministry. Thank you for your prayers.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

In his book, Spiritual Formation, author Henri Nouwen describes a period of great dissatisfaction in his life. At the time, he was an academic but sensed his journey with God was calling him to do far more than he was currently doing. It was a friend who offered him the opportunity to travel another road. This is so typical for us in our walk with Christ. How often we need the help of a friend while we attempt to navigate our weary souls through the rugged terrain of life. Nouwen was challenged to take a road much less traveled and it changed so much more than he expected it to. He said, “I …had to let go of all my previous notions of church and community, traditional understandings about who is in and who is not and to empty myself of long-held opinions and judgments. “But in return, I … found a new home of deep joy and purpose.”

This is what I think about when I meditate on our Church of God Chaplains! You truly are amazing and you have already taken that step to empty yourselves of traditional understandings of what church is and how it should be. Too, you have allowed yourself to become free from long-held trappings of church systems that want to put you in a box so that you will conform your life and ministry in keeping with their judgments and opinions of who you are and what you should be as a minister of the gospel of peace! As I am now traveling through Eastern Europe and in only a few weeks will move on to South Africa, I am once again encountering our hall of heroes, men and women of God who have given everything for the most important thing; and that is to live their life with purpose and fulfillment in the centered will of our eternal Lord! May the joy of our risen King be yours today!

Donnie W. Smith, D. Min.
Director

Vocational Chaplaincy News

Last week at the Commission on Ministry in Specialized Settings (COMISS) Annual Conference a recently published book, Professional Spiritual & Pastoral Care, edited by Stephen Roberts, was used as the basis for a few of the sessions. The book is a compilation of 33 chapters written primarily by chaplains on various aspects of chaplaincy ministry.

The first two chapters addressed the theology of spiritual and pastoral care. The first chapter, “Creating a Personal Theology to Do Spiritual/Pastoral Care,” by Martha Jacobs, revealed what I believe will be an increasing trend in chaplaincy ministry as our society moves toward a post-Christian religious norm. Jacobs states, “…the work that multifaith (underline mine) chaplains do requires that they be open to hearing another’s theology and working with that theology to assist the patient (or family member or staff).” She believes that chaplains must adhere to two religious theologies: one from their faith community and one they personally develop to become a multifaith clergy.

I strongly disagree with Jacobs’ position that a chaplain should strive to be a “multifaith” minister. This may have the appearance of meeting a utilitarian need for the institution to have “one-faith-fits-all” chaplains, but I do not think this solution addresses the religious needs of any patient with integrity and puts the chaplain in the position of struggling with internal incongruence.

In the clinical setting, the needs of the patient take priority over the needs of the chaplain. However, for a chaplain to presume that he can take on the religion of the patient when the religion is not his own can also be viewed by the patient as an act of disrespect for his faith. I would be highly offended if a Muslim chaplain attempted to pray in tongues for me as a patient because he knew I was a Pentecostal.

There is an important distinction between respecting an individual’s right to practice their faith and respecting the tenets of their faith. Chaplains do not have to adopt the faith of a patient to connect with the spirit of the patient. What all humans have in common is that we are all eternal souls. There is temporal value in connecting soul-to-soul with a patient to help them in the time of crisis (God wants us to give a cup of cool water in his name to those who are thirsty), but there is eternal value when, as chaplains, we help someone connect to God through faith in Christ.

The post-Christian society will take the position that all religions are equally valid. If this were true, then a multifaith chaplain would be the way to go. The one who is The Truth is not defined by society and chaplains should not adopt a personal theology that redefines Jesus. I know Church of God Chaplains stand firm in our faith in Christ. The challenge will be working with other “Christian” Chaplains who do not.

If you have thoughts about this, send me a note.

News from the Field

Congratulations to Army Chaplain Jeff Bartell, who was selected for promotion to the rank of Major.

Congratulations to Army Chaplain Ryan Wood, who was promoted to Captain.

Christmas was not only a busy time in local churches but also in correctional facilities. Correctional Chaplain Eugene Wigelsworth, who oversees the chaplain program for facilities in Mississippi, devoted significant effort to achieve meaningful Christmas celebrations in all 44 facilities in the state that resulted in many souls coming to know Christ.

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

Community Service Chaplaincy News

Community Service Chaplains are being trained, receiving awards and honors and are graduating with their certification on a regular basis. We are so very grateful to God for His hand of blessing upon the Church of God Chaplains Commission. Next week we are in training in Sofia, Bulgaria. We are truly trusting that the Lord will help our churches and leaders in this great country to reach out to their community in a strong effort of Community Service. Please be in prayer regarding this training and preparation.

Dr. Donnie Smith is in Romania this week with Jake Popejoy and Dennis Watkins, finalizing necessary paperwork for the Chaplaincy and Care Center in Oradea. God has given the Commission a great ministry opportunity in Romania and we are so thankful to Bob and Carline Schmidt for their tireless efforts to extend this ministry throughout Romania and surrounding areas.

Reports from the Field

Community Service Chaplain Ben Junion, Maryville, Tennessee, reports the following:
“Prayers and Needs: Our finances and prayers for our children and our grand-daughter. We are very thankful for our jobs and children.
Significant Activities: Helped with Christmas for needy families at the Church; working as a road chaplain and continue doing my work at juvenile every Sunday afternoon.”

Community Service Chaplain James Ellerby, Huntington, New York, reports the following:
“Prayers and Needs: Keep me in prayer. The back problem that sidelined me for several weeks in July arose again. But God is good. He got me up and around in much less time than the previous bout. Significant Activities: Lighthouse Missions Food Outreach, Hospital Visits, Men’s Ministry Committee Meeting and Ushering.”

Community Service Chaplain Frank Smith, Plantersville, Alabama, reports the following:
“Prayers and Needs: I need prayer and some speaking engagement to help with work I am doing in Honduras. Thank you all very much.”

Community Service Chaplain Douglas Messerly, West Des Moines, Iowa, reports the following:
“Significant Activities: Feeding the homeless in shelters every Saturday, go to homeless camps to pray and take food, Bible study, volunteer at homeless outreach warehouse 2 days weekly.”

Community Service Chaplain Ernest E. Bowes, Lenoir, North Carolina, reports the following:
“Please pray for: My Mom, My Sister, My Sister-in-Law, and several people in my church that are facing life threatening diseases. Also, please lift me up in your prayers as I have a ruptured disc in my neck @ the C 6 – C 7 level, and am in some hard pain at times in my hip and leg, and some in my neck… I go to the Dr. on the 17th, but I completely trust the Lord for my complete healing…. Pray for the shut-ins, and for jobs… Significant Activities: Hospital Visitation: Caldwell Memorial, Lenoir, North Carolina.”

Community Service Chaplain Rhonda Hall, King George, Virginia, reports the following:
“The special event we did this past month was our Christmas program. I was excited because I had 9 people from my work to come and see the program. I am praying about a new ministry effort that will start soon, which will be in my home and it will be for those who do not attend church. I am excited about this. Also, I am in contact with someone at Northern Neck Regional Jail about coming to minister to the inmates.”

Report from Hispanic Coordinator Abel Cuen

LOS CAPELLANES DE DALLAS TEXAS DE FIESTA CON LA GRADUACION 2011

Muy bien realizada y organizada estuvo la Graduacion de los Capellanes de la Region Sur Central en donde el Obispo Administrativo Dr. Fidencio Burgueño nos honro con su presencia y con su apoyo. El Obispo Burgueño dio la nota de la noche al animarnos a construir un futuro brillante, que sea digno de los hispanos pero sobre todo brillante pues somos la iglesia del Señor quien va delante de nosotros como poderoso gigante.

Damos las gracias tambien al pastor local en la iglesia Central Park el Rev De La Garza quien siempre estuvo a nuestra disposicion y las instalaciones de la iglesia de mucha calidad le dieron una vestimenta alagadora a la ceremonia.

Graduamos 52 Capellanes de Servicio Comunitario quienes a su vez trajeron invitados entre familiares y amigos habia una gran congregacion.

Presenciando la ceremonia el director de reclutamiento del departamento de Bomberos de la ciudad de Garland y el del departamento de Policia de Garland TX quien al participar menciono que la ciudad tienen las puertas abiertas a los capellanes de la iglesia de Dios pues la necesidad es muy grande y sobre todo tratandose de personal bilingue como es el caso de nuestros graduante.

Como siempre una felicitacion al trabajo de excelencia realizada por nuestro coordinador regional en la zona sur central de los Estados Unidos, Miguel Angel Esparza y a su familia quienes siempre estan con el en la logistica de todos los eventos. A DIOS SEA TODA LA GLORIA. AMEN.

Dr. Jake Popejoy
Coordinator, Training and Community Service Chaplains

“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