I Chronicles 4:9-10 reads, "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez saying, 'I gave birth to him in pain.' Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Jabez would have made a great chaplain today. He was a man of honor and prayer. He was not satisfied with the ordinary day-to-day affairs of his life but wanted God to stretch him. He wanted to be under the spout of God's blessings. He wanted his ministry to be stretched. He realized that he needed the powerful presence of the Lord in his life, and he wanted to be delivered from evil. God answered his request.
God has given us godly men and women to serve Him in the needy areas of our world. They are like Jabezopeople of honor among those whom they serve. We presently have 31 chaplains serving on active duty or in a full-time chaplain ministry. We have 35 in the National Guard or Reserve, five chaplain candidates finishing their seminary training, and many others in ministries with nursing homes, law enforcement, hospitals, retirement homes, and a variety of specialized ministries.
All of them need your prayers as they reach people with the message of the Gospel. In recent reports, I read of 15 new decisions for Christ, of many rededications, and thousands coming under the sound of the Gospel. Some of our churches are reaping new members as chaplains give new converts referrals to churches where they can grow in the Lord.
I wish you could personally meet all of our chaplains and their families. Many of them attended our National Conference in Phoenix in July and were able to share about their ministries. In this issue you will meet some of our CBAmerica chaplains and read how God uses them to further His kingdom work. Use this issue as a tool to pray for these chaplains.
Paul graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University in New York with a major in Criminal Justice, and received his M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist from the Southern Baptist Convention. Lenore is a school teacher at a Christian school near their home.
Paul grew up in a Hispanic Catholic home and later served in the Air Force on active duty. A conversation with a chaplain brought him to his knees in an Air Force chapel where he gave his life to Christ. The base chaplain encouraged him to consider becoming a chaplain.
After 11 years of active duty, he entered seminary. Paul's transition from the Air Force to chaplaincy has been a great testimony of God's transforming power. He recently baptized six inmates who came to know Christ at the prison. Paul's application papers go before an Air Force Board in March 1999. Pray with us that he will be selected for ministry to the Air Force.
This summer Darin graduated from the Navy Basic Chaplain Course and had one of the best summers of his life. He hung out of Coast Guard helicopters, fought fires, saved a mock sinking ship, ran with Marines, and boarded submarines, aircraft carriers, and battleships. He left this time of training with a passion for active duty in the Navy. The experience confirmed God's calling on his life. Darin said, "The greatest encouragement came form my wife who confirmed her calling to this ministry as well." Pray for the Darin as he finishes his schooling and other requirements that will lead him to ministry as a CBAmerica Navy chaplain.
Steve is presently a CBAmerica endorsed chaplain candidate. He spent three years in the Army on active duty and served in Saudi Arabia with the 101st Airborne Division during the Gulf War. During this time, Steve led 16 of his fellow soldiers to Christ. This summer Steve was able to work at Ft. Irwin, California, with Dan Larson, one of our CBAmerica chaplains. He is planning to apply for active duty with the Army early in 1999.
Steve came to Christ at age 18. He spent about nine years working with Equippers, Inc., a para-church organization specializing in countercult ministry. Steve presently serves on the pastoral staff at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon. Pray for Steve as he finishes seminary and prepares for military chaplaincy.
During this time, God was preparing him to return to the Navy as a chaplain. After completing his seminary training and meeting the requirements to be a chaplain, he returned to the Navy and served until his retirement in 1991. Charles presently pastors Faith Community Church in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
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FRONTLINE, Vol. 7 No. 3, 1998. Alen Russell, Director of Chaplaincy. No subscription charge. Published quarterly by CBAmerica, 25W560 Geneva Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Send address changes to FRONTLINE, P.O. Box 66, Wheaton, IL 60189. Contact Rev. Allen Russell at E-Mail: Chapalruss@aol.com