Phil. 1:3-5 'I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.' I am grateful for the many individuals and churches that pray for chaplaincy and support us financially. We are off to a good start in 1997 with Church contributions up 28.5 percent and individual contributions up 13.1 percent. It is so refreshing to get reports from our chaplains and read the fruits of their labors. I trust you will catch a vision for the ministry of chaplaincy as you read the stories of what God is doing.
Recently I have traveled to Florida, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, visiting churches and chaplains. It is encouraging to have more of our churches adding chaplaincy to their missions budgets. Praise God! This allows me to minister more effectively.
Pray for us, brethren! In February, Carol's brother, Larry, was killed in a tragic farm accident. He left a wife and two children behind. We were able to go home for the funeral and spend time with family. We are reminded again of the brevity of life, the importance of being ready to meet the Lord, and the importance of family.
I am often asked, 'what does it mean to grant ecclesiastical endorsement to a clergy person to serve in the Armed forces, the VA, or in another specialized setting?' Let me explain. Endorsement is an affirmation by a denomination or faith group that a person is or will be performing a valid ministry consistent with the faith community granting endorsement and has presented evidence of having the special education, experience and skills necessary to perform that ministry in a specialized setting. Endorsement is needed by a chaplain in order to serve in most ministries.
Jim and Rena Zinszer live in Dover, PA. Jim ministers as a chaplain at the Manor Care Nursing Home in York. He is also a specialist on Alzheimer's disease and instructs other caregivers in this specialized field. Jim often gives weekly, as well as daily, devotions to residents. He provides counselling, conducts religious services, attends care conferences, charts visits and is a liaison between the resident and his or her pastor. He often finds himself counselling the families of the residents and providing support groups to help them deal with some of the emotional problems which ensue during their loved one's illness. Many nursing home residents are unchurched, and the chaplain becomes their pastor. Please remember to pray for them as they serve the nursing home residents and seek to lead them to the Lord.
Dave and Melinda Beseler live in Medical Lake, WA, where Dave serves as chaplain at the Pine Lodge Pre-release, a co-ed, minimum security state prison. Pine Lodge houses some 360 inmates. Dave has had a wonderful ministry leading men and women to Christ. One of those is Randy who killed his wife; yet the grace of God was extended to him and he is now a child of the King. Dave has seen drug addicts, prostitutes, child killers, embezzlers, forgers, etc., walk from darkness into His marvellous light. His life touches some 900 inmates a year. Pray for Dave as he ministers to these inmates by clearly and simply explaining the Gospel to them. Dave also teaches at a local Moody extension school and is working on a D.Min. in his spare time.
Juan (Johnny) and Antonia Cometa serve as pastor and wife to the Living Word Christian Fellowship in Milpitas, CA. In February, CBAmerica appointed Johnny to the Army Reserves. He was accepted and is waiting assignment to a unit. Pray for them as they begin this new ministry and as they seek to find the balance between their work with the church and the Army. Johnny is a graduate of the University of the Philippines and has a M.Div. from the Asian Theological Seminary. He was very active in the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines as church planter and pastor before coming to the United States. They have fraternal twins, Juan Gabriel and Nicole (6), and Juan Mikhael (4). We are praying that God will open a door with a Reserve unit in the San Jose, CA, area for Johnny to serve as chaplain.
Ken and Kay Werho are at home with the Army in Korea. Their sons David and Daniel attend the Seoul American School and play soccer. Ken stays busy preaching and ministering to his soldiers. He has taken some 300 individuals to Steve Green, Petra, and Maranatha Praise Band concerts,
conducted three stress management retreats, and helps Kay in her ministry opportunities. Kay is on staff at the Onnuri Church. Together they started the Sookmyung Christian Fellowship at the University where Kay teaches. There were 150 who attended the first meeting. Koreans are eager to learn English. To get good jobs they need English, and many companies require periodic English tests for promotions. Ken teaches "English Bible Overview" and Kay teaches "Knowing Christ." Pray that many will come to know Christ through this ministry.
Let's Pray
The Air National Guard has openings for chaplains in almost every state. If you are interested, please contact us and we will direct you to the appropriate people to answer your questions. This is a tremendous ministry opportunity!
Army Chaplaincy Openings -A recent letter from the Chief of Chaplains of the Army notified our office that there is a need for 100 chaplains in the active Army this year. In fact they will be selecting new chaplains three times this year. If you are interested in full time active duty Army chaplaincy, please contact our office so we can talk with you. More applicants are needed to place in these openings.
FRONTLINE, VOL. 6 No. 1, Spring 1997. Allen Russell, Director of Chaplaincy. Published quarterly by CBAmerica, 25W560 Geneva Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188. For subscription and bulk ordering contact: FRONTLINE,
P.O. Box 66, Wheaton, IL 60189.
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