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Chaplain Sands Receives Award

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:28:39 GMT

The Chaplains Commission congratulates Chaplain (CPT) Gary D. Sands for being selected as the best Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) Chaplain for the third consecutive year (2020-2022). CH Sands was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his duty performance and leadership that inspired his unit to win the SRU of the Year award for the first time.

The competition is steep for such recognition by the Army Recovery Care Program Senior Leadership Summit at Fort Belvoir, VA. There are 15 Soldier Recovery Units in the Army nationwide and they’ve cared for 55,000 Soldiers since their activation in 2007.

A native of Texas and a fourth generation Church of God member, Chaplain Sands has been married to Ginger Locklear Sands for more than 30 years. Both are graduates of Lee University and the proud parents of two adult children. Mrs. Sands is a career school teacher. In 1999, they established the Mount Olive Ministry Center in Arlington, TX, where they pastored for 16 years until Gary entered active duty on 21 September 2015.

Chaplain Sands is a 1996 graduate (M.Div) of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Afterwards, he earned a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2004) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (2020). He is also a Clinical Pastoral Education graduate from Madigan Army Medical Center, WA (2019).

Following this assignment, Chaplain Sands hopes to be promoted to Major and stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He wants to be assigned as an Airborne Brigade Chaplain, where he can mentor junior Chaplains in providing ministry to their respective battalions.

Thank you, Chaplain Sands, for making us all stand a little taller. Your faithful work and successful ministry at America’s largest military installation is sincerely appreciated.

Please send your notes of congratulations and encouragement to Chaplain and Mrs. Sands at his email address: garydonsands@gmail.com

--Charles Howell, Chaplain Colonel (USA retired), 23 FEB 2023

Connect, Learn, and Grow with Military Spouses

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

No one understands the challenges of being a military spouse better than other military spouses, which is why Claire Wood, wife of Army Chaplain Ryan Wood, set out to a create a space where they could walk through these challenges and grow together.

She and Kelly Artemis founded Milspo Gurus for this community, and engage in honest discussion through blogs, Q&A videos , and a personalized course . Their course was recently featured in military family focused Legacy Magazine , and both are published in other military resources, found on their site. Claire shares more about the creation of Milspo Gurus here:

Milspo Gurus was birthed from a desire to see military spouses flourish in their varied roles. Kellie Artis (my co-founder) and I connected over a shared interest in the Enneagram. The Enneagram identifies the root sin of nine distinct personality types, and how God can redeem that sin into a beautiful gift. We agree with Fr. Richard Rohr that the Enneagram is a “tool for discernment ...which can help transform lives, lead people to God, and release the great giftedness in us.”

We realized that so often military spouses seem to share a common pattern of life that can feel heavy and stressful: frequent PCS moves, unique marriage challenges due to separations, friendships that are in constant flux, professional frustrations, and the physical and emotional toll that military life can take.

Knowing this, we wondered, "What if by sharing an understanding of the Enneagram, we are able to point spouses to a helpful resource that would allow them to break free from some of their negative coping mechanisms?" And "What might it look like to have a community of military spouses sharing along in this journey?" Instead of feeling stuck, "What if military spouses were able to walk in their unique and God-given giftedness?"

Thus, we created the Milspo Gurus: Becoming Your Own Guru e-course . The course contains over three hours of video teaching broken down into short segments within four main modules. There's also a 17 page download of content that includes reflection questions, charts, and resource lists.

Interested in finding out more? You can find them on Facebook and Instagram @milspogurus or sign up for a monthly newsletter here .

We’re proud of our Chaplain’s spouses and their accomplishments, and thank them for all of their support and behind the scenes work furthering the kingdom!

Synchronous Web Training: Uniting Students and Chaplains Around the World

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Technology is changing the way we learn. Students can now interact with classmates and Chaplains from their own homes.

Distance is no obstacle for students who take synchronous CSC Training Courses. The January course hosted by the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and the Church of God Chaplains Commission offers a unique opportunity to take part in the class from home and interact with students and presenters while thousands of miles from the physical classroom. Not only does this make a full course more convenient to fit into busy schedules, but for students in remote areas, it may be their only opportunity to participate in a training course. Course graduate Adelaide Pinder, from Toronto, Canada, says the ability to take the course online was especially advantageous as “offerings for the course in my area were limited and often cancelled due to low enrollment”. Unlike one-way online classes, this course allows students to interact with each other in real time and fosters rich discussion. This multi-perspective element enriches the class, and Chaplain Pinder says one of the highlights of the course was hearing Chaplains from an array of disciplines share their stories.

“Chaplaincy is truly an unrecognized area and calling that can have meaningful impact”, she shares. Hearing from those living it out “was a great advantage and confirmation to students who are considering entering the field”. If you’re interested in serving communities outside the walls of the church, this course will equip you with the knowledge and resources to pursue Chaplaincy ministry. Chaplain Pinder says she has found herself referencing the course material throughout her service, which has been a valuable asset even after the course has ended. This January is one of only two times in the year that both levels of certification are offered. The class will feature guest speakers who are experts in a variety of Chaplaincy fields, and cover issues of Theology of Chaplaincy, Legalities, the Violence Cycle, PTSD, and more. To learn more about the course and certification, go to https://www.cogchaplains.org/csc-course-registration .

Continuing Care: Retirement Community Chaplaincy

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Faith-based retirement communities provide seniors with personalized care encompassing not only basic needs, but relational and spiritual needs as well.

These communities offer service on a continuum from independent and assisted living facilities, to nursing care and memory support, and while many know of the opportunity to volunteer in these communities, fewer know of opportunities for Chaplaincy. As both full and part-time staff, Chaplains offer spiritual support for residents through worship services, counseling, and patient care. The Chaplains in these communities are able to develop relationships with the residents and minister to them, supporting them spiritually and emotionally through the last stages of life.

Chaplain Laura Baker, who serves at Shannondale Retirement Community, emphasizes the importance of these relationships, as they are not short-term patients, but residents. She spends time in ministry and fellowship with them each week, and says she loves being able to hear their stories, as they have so much to share. Chaplain Baker was first introduced to Retirement Chaplaincy as a student at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. While fulfilling her Clinical Pastoral Education, she was assigned to serve at Alexian Village Retirement Community, and was immediately drawn to the people there. The Alzheimer’s Unit was specifically impactful, as her own grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s, and she felt a personal connection with the residents. When she and her husband, Herschell, moved back to Maryville, TN to pastor their own church, she knew she wanted to serve someplace similar, and reached out to Shannondale Retirement Community. After doing her CPE Residency at University of Tennessee Medical Center, she was hired at Shannondale. There, she serves primarily in the Healthcare Unit and Assisted Living and leads Sunday services and weekly Bible studies. As the Minister of Music at her home church, she incorporates music into her day-to-day activities, singing hymns with residents during visitations and leading worship at services.

The retirement community is unique, and “it is the most loving place I have ever worked”, says Chaplain Deborah Valiton-Carnish, who serves at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. CPE experiences with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients drew her to the older generation as well, and when the opportunity to serve in a Continuing Care Community was presented, she knew it was God’s divine leading. Over the and over the last five and a half years, she has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the community. There is remarkable participation in spiritually-focused events, as more than 300 residents attend services on Sunday mornings, and over 450 more tune in to watch the broadcasts. Services are also offered for those in the Health Center, and Chaplains visit with each patient there twice a week. The four Chaplains on staff officiate weddings, funerals, baby dedications, and baptisms for not only the 2,000 residents, but the 1,700 employees as well. Weekly devotions are held in all nine “neighborhoods”, or levels of care, as well as monthly women’s groups. Chaplains are on call 24/7, and serve to notify residents, their spouses, and families of any deaths and respond to hospital calls. It’s intense, yet incredibly rewarding, as this is a time of life when people can “take off their mask”, sharing their diverse backgrounds, and allowing Chaplain Valiton-Carnish to truly live out the gospel and learn so much along the way.

While building relationships is one of the best aspects of this ministry, it is also one of the most difficult, as much time is dedicated to end-of-life care. Residents want to give back to the Chaplains as well, and Chaplain Baker speaks of one woman who has difficulty communicating due to a stroke, but never fails to have a smile. During visitations, she takes Chaplain Baker’s cold hands in her own to warm them, the woman’s past as a nurse shining through. Chaplain Baker shares that while the Lord is using her to minister, she feels that she receives more in return. Being able to walk alongside these residents through this stage in their lives and grow from their teachings is a privilege, she says, and is grateful for this opportunity to work for the Lord. Chaplain Valiton-Carnish agrees, adding, “There truly is no better place to work”.

Chaplain Promoted as She Follows Her Calling

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:51:26 GMT

Chaplain Kimberly Belcher's may not have planned on serving as a Lead Hospital Chaplain, but she couldn't have found a more ideal role.

Chaplain Kimberly Belcher’s first extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, TN was responsible for derailing her path to “traditional” ministry. There, she was introduced to service that was entirely outside of the church, yet fundamentally focused on furthering her mission of caring for those in need. She had served as an Assistant Pastor for eight years and had planned on pastoring a Church of God church. Hospital Chaplaincy would lead her in an entirely new direction, one she was clearly meant to be in long-term. While she loved serving in the church, the individuals in the hospital were facing long, difficult journeys, and she jumped at the opportunity to walk beside these patients from a multitude of backgrounds and offer them a love and grace-filled representation of the Lord.

After two CPE units in Chattanooga, she moved to Chaplain Residency at West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown, WV, which became her home base. Upon first visiting, she shares, “I truly felt as though I had come home and knew that I wanted to work in this hospital as a Chaplain until retirement”. She started as a Staff Chaplain, and was set to take on a leadership role, a trajectory which accelerated when her Director retired in May, two years earlier than planned. This spring, she was promoted to Lead Chaplain, which encompasses both the role of manager and supporter. She is responsible for the Spiritual Care and Education Department operations, scheduling staff, and working with the Department Director, as well as attending to the holistic needs of each team member, effectively serving as a Chaplain for Chaplains at WVU. This new position also requires her to serve as the Department representative, collaborating with teams throughout the hospital such as the Medical Ethics Committee. Medical Staff Care and interdisciplinary teamwork are very important to her, and she feels blessed to serve a position which emphasizes both and allows her to work with the patients who first drew her to Chaplaincy. She serves the Adult Inpatient Palliative Team, providing care as many patients are moved to inpatient hospice, supporting them and their families through diagnoses, treatments, and end-of-life care.

While the last four months have been extremely busy, they have confirmed that Chaplain Belcher is exactly where she is supposed to be. In the midst of trials, whether of patients or staff, she is fulfilling her call to those who are hurting, providing peace from God and sharing hope that brings healing. Moving into this new positon “is the perfect fit for me”, says Chaplain Belcher, “and I thank God every day for this opportunity”.

COG's First Chaplain in New Zealand Continues Serving Through Retirement

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

After 26 years of Chaplaincy, retirement won't slow down Chaplain Ray Bloomfield.

Chaplaincy in New Zealand would not be the same without Chaplain Ray Bloomfield. Over the last 26 years he became the first Pentecostal Chaplain in all of Australasia, served for 16 years on the executive board of the New Zealand Healthcare Chaplains Association, and has served as President of the association for the last six. He has also planted and pastored three churches in unreached towns, supervises clergy and counselling students, and serves as a Justice of the Peace. As he nears retirement, Chaplain Bloomfield will continue many of these positions, while rebuilding the professional body of Chaplains, as well as volunteering through his local Hospice. Despite the work load, he says it doesn’t feel like work, and enables him continue the service he is passionate about.

Through his ministry, he has kept “one foot in the world”, working alongside non-Christian people and developing relationships with them before attempting to attend to their spiritual needs. His alternative methods of reaching out to individuals included working on farms, on forestry rigs, and a budgeter in a community health center. As he became well-known in the community for his ability to help people out of debt, they began to go to see him at church. Many were drawn to Christ because he demonstrated care for the community’s holistic well-being. After planting another church, his schedule became consumed with serving the church internally, and he realized how much he missed being out among the “unchurched”. It was an epiphany which sparked the idea of Chaplaincy as a career. Around this time, he was asked to serve part time at a hospital for the incumbent Chaplain, and says he was hooked from day one. He felt strongly called to the hospital and to the patients with problems too serious to ignore. After completing his Clinical Pastoral Education, he resigned the pastorate and was appointed Chaplain of Rotorua Hospital, the first Pentecostal Chaplain in Australasia.

Chaplain Bloomfield considers his service as a Church of God Chaplain in an ecumenical environment to be the pinnacle of his ministry. He has journeyed alongside scores of patients and staff through the high and low points of their lives, officiated their weddings as well as their funerals, dedicated their children to the Lord and counseled them in times of doubt and struggle. Although proselytizing is not allowed in the government-run hospitals, patients seeking answers to their life-long questions of faith have turned to Christ in their final moments, finally accepting His unconditional love and forgiveness. He has helped indigenous Maori believed to be cursed and demon possessed, and witnessed their transformation as their afflictions were lifted. Throughout his service as a pastor and Chaplain, simply entering other’s lives and seeking to help them in a personal way has opened the door for ministry. Chaplain Bloomfield is extremely grateful that God has entrusted him with this calling, and that he has not only been able to give to others, but has been greatly enriched in return.

Chaplaincy and Mental Health

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

October is World Mental Health Day, a topic that is gaining awareness in society and is relevant to all Chaplains, as 1 in 5 people experience mental illness each year. Chaplain John Corcoran shares how Chaplains can help to end stigmas and support the struggling.

What is Mental Illness?

People diagnosed with mental illness often tell me that they just want to be "normal." I have asked them what "normal" is, even though I don't have an adequate answer or response. Abnormal has little to do with the person who is labeled this way, and more to do with the person doing the labeling. People who depart from the norms of behavior make us feel uneasy, and may be labeled as mentally ill. The Bible describes this occurrence when Jesus was in His home in Capernaum, performing miraculous acts. These caused disturbances in society, and His family tried to stop Him, claiming that He was “out of His mind” (Mark 3:20 NIV). The Apostle Paul faced the same accusation in Acts 26:24, as Festus interrupted Paul's defense, saying “You are out of your mind Paul. Your great learning is driving you insane" (Acts 26:24 NIV).

Mental illness is different than what Jesus and Paul were accused of by ignorant people. It refers to long-lasting disturbances of a person's thinking, mood or behavior. Most of us have experienced periods of depression, vague fear and anxiety, or outbursts of speech or behavior that leave us feeling uneasy, but in cases of mental illness, these periods persist and interfere with daily life. This limits a person's ability to converse with family and friends, hold a job, or continue with school, and leads to feelings of loss and grief. Not only has their health suffered, but their relationships and opportunities in the community have most likely suffered as well.

The Stigma of Mental Illness

Old myths and misguided fears further compound the struggle of an individual diagnosed with a mental illness, who faces being stigmatized as dangerous, incapable, lazy, or evil. The word “stigma” derived from the practice of branding or placing a mark, and was later used to brand or mark a person with shame. While we now have a better understanding of mental health, negative perceptions still face those who struggle. The truth is, they are our friends, family members, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. It is time to stop this discrimination and erase the stigma. They are created in the image and likeness of God and are valued by Him.

Chaplain Interventions: Beyond the Gate

By the mid twentieth century, over a half million Americans were confined to public psychiatric hospitals. In the 1950's, psychotropic medications were introduced ushering in a dramatic change. Community Mental Health Centers were funded by the Federal Government replacing the state psychiatric hospital system. However, this plan failed, and the majority of the people who would have been in a psychiatric hospital are not there today. Where are they? Some live alone, some are in the streets or jail, while others either live with their families or are in a group home. All are outside the doors of our churches. There is a great harvest of souls crying out for love and acceptance. Chaplain intervention should embrace both the pastoral and prophetic ministry, and provide both care and hope to the person struggling with mental illness.

Pastoral ministry will include:

• The ministry of presence. When a person is diagnosed with a severe mental illness, their hopes are dashed and they suffer shame. Be present and attentive to their needs as you walk with them in their illness. When medical treatment doesn't help and medication adjustments are required, pastoral presence can be a great source of strength to the person.

• Good listening skills. Listen with your ears and heart as the patient entrusts you with their story.

• Maintain their identity as a person, not an illness. Encourage this distinction in their self-description as well as your own; for example, “John is a member of our church who struggles with Schizophrenia”, rather than “John is a schizophrenic”.

• Acceptance. You may be the only person who has accepted the patient for who they are; a child of God, not a diagnosis. Listening to the person builds their self-esteem.

• Affirmation. Often, the patient may feel guilty, unworthy, or that God has abandoned and imposed a punishment on them. Affirm their dignity. Help them claim worth in the family of God.

Prophetic ministry will include:

• The chaplain will become the "voice of one crying in the wilderness”, addressing the rights of people with mental illness to the community. Become proactive in the battle to stamp out the stigma of mental illness.

• Proclaim hope for healing by helping them to understand that God can bring healing as they follow their treatment plan, especially when their personal faith in Jesus Christ is included in the plan.

• Learn to network and utilize agencies such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) for further support and help.

Mental Health By the Numbers

Celebrating 30 Years of Chaplaincy

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

After 30 years of Service, Chaplain Schuck has no plans to stop serving

This year marks the thirtieth year of Chaplain Joe Schuck’s service as both a Community Service and Vocational Chaplain, and though he may be retiring officially, he has no plans to stop serving. Over the last three decades, he has made considerable contributions both in his workplaces and beyond their walls. Not only has he been employed as a Chaplain in medical centers, but he has served Active Duty in the Coast Guard, pastored full time, founded the Alabama COG Chaplains Association, and volunteered in hospitals and disaster scenes.
Chaplain Schuck got his first glimpse of what Clinical Chaplaincy might look like as a volunteer, visiting church members in the hospital with his wife. At the onset of these clinical visitations, he found the unfamiliar environment daunting, and remembers feeling too inadequate for the task at hand. He remembers being so hesitant to enter the first hospital room that as he and his wife neared, he pushed her to go in first! However, as he became accustomed to the beeping machines, IVs, and doctors, he found that he had a heart for Clinical Chaplaincy, and continued to volunteer for many years. After becoming a licensed clergy, he was asked to become a Chaplain for a home health organization, where he began to learn more about end of life issues. Through this position, he also learned that it was a ministry truly about the people, not their illness. He says these relationships are the foundation for his service, and have taught him about resiliency, strength, and faith through challenging times.

In 1998, he and his wife were both endorsed as Clinical Chaplains, and soon after moved to Lanett, AL, where they were hired as Associate Chaplains by the East Alabama Medical Center. Simultaneously, Chaplain Schuck began to pastor Faith Temple Church of God, and after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, he and his wife decided to expand their ministry to lead disaster recovery efforts. With teams of Chaplains and laity, the couple made 11 trips to the Gulf Coast, and found participation to be so life-changing that they started an organization that organized quick response chaplain teams. Through this organization, Chaplains would be deployed to disaster situations in less than 36 hours across eight Southern state, and were on the scenes of hurricanes and tornado outbreaks serving communities in the midst of devastation. In three years, Chaplain Schuck and his wife directed 17 disaster relief trips while working full time and pastoring, and credit their church family for their understanding and support throughout that busy chapter of life.
Chaplain Schuck has served thousands of individuals throughout his 30 years as a Chaplain, but he says that no one was changed more throughout those years than him. He says that when he started, he “knew little about people and God [and] had little patience, mercy, or compassion”. As he served individuals nearing the end of life, he witnessed God’s faithfulness and love demonstrated over and over, often in ways that defied expectations. He sat beside people with great levels of faith, baptized others still in the hospital, comforted families heartbroken after a loss, and rejoiced with others as loved ones are led to Christ. He feels privileged to have been able to serve as a Chaplain for thirty years, and though he may be retired, he says he will always visit patients, and continue what he believes he was created to do.

NAVAC President’s Award

Thu, 17 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

After a lifetime of work with Veterans and worldwide missions, Chaplain Mills service is recognized with a prestigious award

Chaplain Thomas Mills has spent most of his life working with Veterans, and on April 25th, 2018, he was awarded The National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC) President’s award. NAVAC serves Chaplains in the Department of Veterans Affairs with a mission centered on providing the highest degree of excellence in Pastoral Care and Veteran Services. Through this association, Chaplains can pursue education, research, and professional development while building a network of collegial support.

Chaplain Mills became a member of NAVAC in 2006 and the Chairman of Certification in 2009. Without any files or information available for use, he constructed the membership and certification process from the ground up. He worked to improve coordination with the Association or Professional Chaplains, ensuring that Chaplain Associations maintain the same standards. He also laid the foundation to hold interviews via teleconferencing, facilitating communication between widespread VA boards and saving time and travel expense. While he served as Chairman of Certification, he administered 400 new applications and created a Code of Ethics and Conduct. NAVAC also became the first group to offer specialty certification in Mental Health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After stepping down in 2016 due to triple bypass heart surgery, he is serving on the Board of Directors once again.

After nearly 10 years as the Chief of Chaplains in the VA Illiana Health Care System, 21 years in the Air Force, and service in churches from Iceland to California, Chaplain Mills uses his experience to teach the National Chaplain Center and mentor Chief Chaplains throughout the VA. Amidst his time with NAVAC, he has contributed to articles, developed a tool kit used to approve Spiritual Assessment instruments throughout the VA Health Care System, and been a member of the Commission on Ministry in Specialized Settings. Currently, Chaplain Mills is working with the National Chaplain Center to increase visibility and awareness of VA Chaplains and their work.

Barbara Speyer, President of NAVAC, and Fr. Brandow, Chairman of the Board, commend Tom for years of tireless work and improvements to the organization on a national level.

Congratulations to Chaplain Mills on this award, it truly is a testament to his dedication to the Chaplains mission!

VA Chaplain Named Employee of the Year

Thu, 10 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Touched by Veterans' needs, Chaplain Check strives to improve their spiritual and mental care every day

Clinical Chaplain Carter Check has been awarded Federal Employee of the Year for his Outstanding Community Service by the Oklahoma Federal Executive Board. He serves the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System by conducting Spiritual Care for Veterans alongside their Behavioral and Mental Health therapies. He leads a spirituality group for Veterans in Substance Use Disorder Outpatient treatment that address reconciliation of trust and moral dilemmas every week. As a member of the Executive Mental Health Council, he collaborates with stakeholders, surrounding churches, and the greater community.

Chaplain Check began his relationship with the Lord as an 18-year-old serving the US Army, and ever since that day has felt drawn to those who serve. He has gone above and beyond to assist Veterans by creating a Moral Injury and Reconciliation Clinic and curriculum, which he will present for the Nation through the VA’s Talent Management System. He shared “I am humbled by this award, because it represents my heart and gratitude for the Veterans we serve. For me, to serve is a way of life, and I am just happy to be doing what I know I am called to do. Every single day. I get to work with and serve our Nation’s heroes, our Veterans, which is a greater honor than any award I could ever receive.”

Congratulations to Chaplain Check on this momentous award!

Chaplaincy in the Aloha State

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

When you picture life in Hawaii, you may envision constant relaxation in a land of paradise. However, Chaplains in Hawaii aren’t on a permanent vacation.

Chaplains (LTC) Everett Franklin, (CDR) Brian Jacobson and (MAJ) Jeff Bartels are a part of one of the largest hubs of military action, in a state with a culture all its own. As Chaplain Franklin often says, it’s not “Florida in the middle of the Pacific”, but rather a group of incredibly diverse islands, home to a myriad of people and array of backgrounds.

This diversity plays a large part of Chaplain Jacobson’s role as a developer of ministry and training. He travels the world, meeting Chaplains and learning about their military ministries and how to best facilitate their missions. His position entails that he is constantly on the go, as he is responsible for 134 active and reserve Religious Ministry teams. Seven months ago, Chaplain Jacobson transitioned from working with Marines, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen to an Echelon 2 position serving fellow Chaplains and Religious Program Specialist. He says the most transformative aspect has been developing Community Relations projects and mission planning injects, integrating what he has learned from the feedback of Chaplains around the world into ministry.

Chaplain Everett Franklin is currently serving his second assignment in Hawaii with his wife April and daughter Lindsey, nearing their fourth year in total. During his first stay, he was a Battalion Chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, and currently serves as the Deputy Command Chaplain for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command. His command has responsibility for sustainment of all Army forces in the Pacific theater from India to the west coast of Florida. Chaplain Franklin has served in Kuwait, Baghdad, Iraq, and numerous stations in the US. As military families know, each move requires transition and sacrifice, and the Franklins’ move to Hawaii was no exception. The family and their two dogs spent their first 41 days on the island in one very small hotel room. As Chaplain Franklin relates, “Finding housing when moving to Hawaii can be quite the adventure”!

“Chaplains in Hawaii aren’t always riding a wave, snorkeling in a cove, hiking a watershed, or sunning at the beach”, Chaplain Bartels writes. While this is his first Hawaiian assignment, CH Bartels is no stranger to military moves or overseas duty. He has been assigned at two different locations in Kansas and Virginia, schooling in South Carolina, a tour in Europe, and several deployments to Iraq as well as numerous locations as a Chaplain Candidate prior to his active duty commission. His adventurous family of five, which includes two newly added guinea pigs, loves the climate in Hawaii. His primary duties in an Army Service Component Command (ASCC) are Theater Religious Support as the Operations Chief. However, time on the shore is a part of his service at IMPACT Chapel Hawaii. There, he is busy serving over 125 Soldiers and families, a figure that almost doubles during holidays. Every month, the chapel holds a beach service offering worship, food, and a time for fellowship. These unique services include baptism in the ocean on occasion, and Chaplain Bartels has baptized almost 15 people in 15 months. He concludes, “Hawaii life is very active work and ministry for the Indo-Pacific, and I’m honored to serve in such a place and time”, a sentiment echoed by his fellow island Chaplains.

Chaplain (CDR) Brian (Jake) Jacobson

CH (LTC) Everett Franklin

CH (MAJ) Jeff Bartels

Baptisms in the Jordan

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Rarely is one's first trip to Jordan commemorated by baptizing others in the Jordan River, but that's exactly what Chaplain Everts did.

On March 24th and 25th, Chaplain Everts baptized 15 sailors from the USS Donald Cook at Yardenit, a site just south of Sea of Galilee. Two were baptized for the first time, while others had received baptisms as infants, and wanted to rededicate their lives to Christ.

During his deployment, Chaplain Everts has been able to visit other significant locations in the Bible. He has walked through Jerusalem where Christ spent his last moments, stood where the Sermon on the Mount was given, and traveled to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. The moments he spent in the Upper Room listening to prayers and praying in the Church of the Beatitudes were highlights of his travels. He says that the presence of the Holy Spirit was truly apparent, and he was spiritually refreshed by his journeys.

While all of these events have been spiritually significant, the baptisms represent why he is here – “to go and proclaim as Christ commanded in the Great Commission.” Baptizing these sailors on their patrol was both an incredible and humbling experience for him. Chaplain Everts is thankful for the opportunities that have blessed him during his deployment. He describes this event as an honor he never imagined, and a memory he will never forget.

(U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alyssa Weeks / Released)