November 16, 2009
Editor’s note: The following is an account of God’s call on the life of Alliance Chaplain Lt. Brian Daum, U.S. Army Reserves. Brian, his wife Tammi, and their two children live in Belgrade, Montana and attend Alliance Fellowship in Bozeman.
I sensed God’s call toward Army chaplaincy in 2005 after reading A Table in the Presence by LT Carey H. Cash. I received the book from my wife, Tammi, on my 30th birthday. As I read Lt. Cash’s testimony and processed the role of a chaplain, I began to envision how God could use my skills and gifts for such a ministry, believing my strong sense of patriotism and love for the Lord would make this a good choice. This vision grew into a desire to serve both God and country by ministering to soldiers and their families.
The years of 2004 and 2005 were a time of transition for me and my wife. We enjoyed our six years of ministry in Wisconsin, but sensed God leading us to be available for cross-cultural ministry. We received this calling without details, as we did not sense a call to a specific people group or country, just that we were to have our lives available for God’s purposes. We heeded godly advice, pursued graduate school, and trusted the details to God as we moved forward in faith.
In the course of the next four months, we chose a school, enjoyed what was to be a short sabbatical and prepared for what was ahead. Life seemed in order, but God had other plans. My father was diagnosed with cancer, so we decided to stay in Montana for what we thought may be a year. We started school via distance learning, got steady jobs, and planned ahead. But when we found out that Tammi was with child, it seemed as though our plans were beginning to unravel.
I understand now that God was preparing us for the unique calling of the military chaplaincy. This is a calling to a people with a unique culture, language, and location. In my role as a Alliance Army Chaplain, Tammi and I still face many unknowns such as an impending deployment. These are the details which lead us to pray for wisdom and understanding, trusting God to reveal His purposes for our family as we seek to invest our lives into the lives of those who faithfully serve our country.
July 28, 2009
Miss Ann Droppa of Dunnellon, Florida, went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2009, at the age of 92. She was a retired missionary who served faithfully with The Alliance in India for 37 years, from August 1945 until her retirement in May 1982. She is survived by her brothers, Rev. Charles (Dot) Droppa of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and Donald (Leona) Droppa of Ocala, Florida; her sister-in-law, Vera Droppa, of Skaneateles; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, at Plis Funeral Home, Inc., 33 North Street, Marcellus, New York. The burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Skaneateles, New York. Friends may call on the family from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Rose Hill Baptist Church, 2609 Rose Hill Road., Marietta, New York 13110 (phone: 315-673-1092); or Auburn Alliance Church, 630 North Seward Avenue, Auburn, New York 13021 (phone: 315-253-2650).
Condolences may be sent to Rev. Charles and Dot Droppa: 2 Chestnut Street, apartment #103, Whitinsville, Massachusetts 01588.
Prayers for the family during this time of bereavement are very much appreciated.
May 6, 2009
“Chaplains tell me they sometimes feel separated from The Alliance,” says Robert Collins, retired lieutenant colonel (Army) and director for Alliance Military Chaplains Ministries.
Collins is the professional and spiritual mentor for Alliance military chaplains whose deployment takes them around the world, and to the frontlines of war. “They have no Alliance churches close to where they are stationed, or they live in an area of the world where there is no Alliance fellowship.”
Collins understands isolation, having experienced it while he was in the military; he is working to change the situation.
Alliance chaplains stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait have been telling the stories of God’s amazing work among troops for six years. Conversions and baptisms have taken place in historic places recorded in Genesis; Bible studies have sprung up throughout the many battalions.
One Chaplain’s Mission
In Kuwait, Alliance Chaplain and Army Captain Erik Gramling recently baptized several troops and attended the Lighthouse Church, where Alliance pastor Daniel Harstad is “on loan” from the Canadian C&MA. The church is part of the National Evangelical Church Compound in Kuwait City, where 10-20 thousand people from 73 multilingual congregations attend worship services each week.
“The Compound was founded in the early 1900s by an American medical couple who were invited by the ruling family of Kuwait,” says Gramling. “The ministry is robust; many come to Christ.”
Gramling also encouraged his German military congregation to give to the ministry of the Evangelical Alliance Church in Baghdad. In one Sunday offering they designated over $12,000.00 to the GCF for that project.
A Global Vision
“The vision is larger than Alliance Military Chaplain Ministries,” Collins continues. “I believe we bring our Alliance chaplain family closer to the true reality-we are Alliance-and we have a vision that is larger than are own ministries. It is a worldwide vision to take the whole gospel to the whole world!”
What you can do
Pray for Alliance military and institutional chaplains as they serve in difficult places.
Learn more
Read other stories from Alliance chaplains.
Donate now to support Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
October 27, 2008
Alliance Chaplain Andy Kikuta received the prestigious John A. Price Excellency in Chaplaincy Award recently at the Annual Training Seminar of the International Conference of Police Chaplains in Mobile, Alabama. Kikuta has served with the Honolulu, Hawaii, police department for 23 years and currently is the senior chaplain of seven volunteer chaplains.
“My areas of responsibility involve caring for the Chief’s Office, Communications Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Human Resources Division, Media and Legislative Liaison Office, and our uniformed patrol district,” said Kikuta. “We primarily serve the officers, civilian employees, and families of our department in a supportive role, being with them especially in tragic situations. Upon request, we will assist the officers with cases involving the public.”
Kikuta, whose Japanese name translates to chrysanthemum field, has been planting seeds of the gospel on the island of Oahu for 28 years, beginning as an assistant pastor at Kapahulu (Alliance) Bible Church and then planting Hawaii Kai (Alliance) Community Church, where he continues his leadership today. Kikuta is married to his wife of 33 years, Claudia, and the couple has three adult children.
September 24, 2008
Alliance Chaplain Kevin Pies (U.S. Army) lost his beloved wife, Lorrie, Sunday morning, September 21, ending her three-year battle with cancer. Lorrie’s steadfast faith and perseverance were a testimony of God’s constant presence in her life.
As a military chaplain’s wife, Lorrie had opportunity to be involved in numerous projects and outreaches. Lorrie was a talented violinist, teacher, and writer. Her life touched many facets of the Colorado Springs, Colorado, community, including the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Child Development Center at the Air Force Academy. She was a member of the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild as well as a supporting writer of the recent International Bible Society’s Military Family Bible, Hope Beyond the Battle, the National Day of Prayer Task Force, and Campus Crusade’s Military Ministry Web site.
Lorrie still had time to participate in son Kenny’s band activities, mentor her college-age daughter, Victoria, and complete her college degree—much of this during the time when she was battling cancer. Lorrie served her family and community with a humble spirit and to God’s glory. Lorrie was 47.
Visitation will be held Saturday, September 27, 2008, from 2-5 p.m. at Swan Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. at the Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel, Ft. Carson, CO, with an Internment Service at the Mountview Cemetery, Billings, MT, on October 1, 2008, at 11 a.m.
Condolences may be sent to: Chaplain (MAJ) Kevin Pies, 6710 Dublin LP W, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
August 21, 2008
Alliance military chaplains and their families met for fellowship, training, and spiritual blessing in Colorado Springs on August 7–10. Some of the high points were:
- Training on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an issue many returning soldiers are facing.
- Testimonials of God’s power in their lives. Chaplain (CPT) Aaron White, U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, told of God’s grace and provision during his 15 months in Afghanistan. LT Don Twist, CHC, U.S. Navy, shared his own struggles with PTSD and how God has been so faithful to both him and his family.
- Dr. Daniel Shayesteh spoke on Christianity and Islam.
- Chaplain (1LT) Rob Olson became our newest Alliance Army Chaplain when the Oath of Office was given and he was pinned (crosses were placed on his uniform by fellow chaplains). Chaplain Rob and his wife, Katie, will begin their new ministry at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
- Major General Bob Dees, U.S. Army (Retired) spoke at the Chaplain Banquet on Saturday evening, and Rev. David Goodin was the guest pastor for the Sunday morning worship time.
Please continue to pray for our chaplains and their families. Erik Gramling and Steve Moser are now deployed to the Middle East.
Please note that the above event was not funded by the Great Commission Fund. Funds given by these chaplains and others enable support for our military and other chaplaincy personnel.
February 6, 2008
Among the Spiritual Needs of Older Adults identified by Dr Harold Koenig of Duke University are: “The need for a sense of usefulness,” and “A need to love and serve others.” In the Sunday Morning Chapel Services at The Baptist Home of Bismarck, an offering is taken that is distributed to a number of community and international ministries. The Missouri Valley Habitat for Humanity organization is one of those organizations.
Chaplain Clyde Leimberer says “To our surprise and joy, the keys to the seventeenth house built in Bismarck/ Mandan, ND have been turned over to the Brady Davis family. Mrs. Davis (Anna) is a Certified Nursing Assistant at The Baptist Home and Brady works at HIT in Mandan. This is a family of eight and they definitely needed a house. As well, both Brady and Anna work in caring professions.
In the Sunday Morning Service, January 20, the residents of The Baptist Home presented some Housewarming gifts to the Davis family in celebration of their new home. The gifts were a special framed picture with a “Bless this House” poem and a ‘model home’ made of bags of microwave popcorn with miniature candy bars for shingles, windows and doors. This special occasion gave the residents the opportunity to see the fruits of their donations added to others and benefiting people they know.
The residents offerings are also sponsoring a 9 year old child from Sri Lanka through World Vision, as well as contributing regularly to the Salvation Army, KNDR Christian Radio, Interfaith the Sonshine Society and Sioux Falls Seminary.
June 26, 2007
Alliance chaplains serve on U.S. military installations around the world, on ships at sea, and with military forces deployed worldwide. Duties include conducting worship services on base and in the field. The following is a list of Alliance military chaplains who have served on the front lines:
Afghanistan
- Army Chaplain Steve Moser; Army Chaplain Doug Prentice served two tours
- Commander Chuck Anderson was deployed with his Marines
Iraq
- Army Chaplains Aaron White, Kevin Pies and Fred Townsend
- Commander Val Jensen, (Navy Chaplain) has served twice with the Marines
- Army Chaplain Erik Gramling has served in Iraq and Kuwait
Army Chaplain David Bowlus has deployed with his Ranger Battalion and Ranger Regiment numerous times to many regions in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Middle East and Persian Gulf
- U. S. Navy Chaplain Jeff Milne has deployed with the Navy to the Persian Gulf and with the Marines to the Middle East
- National Guard Chaplains Jesse Hall and Shelby Grant are deploying with their units to the Middle East
- Other Alliance Chaplains have been deployed with their National Guard and Reserve units as well, including Rich Bower, Pierre Allegre, Jeff Wheeland and Jeff Taylor
Chaplain Aaron White recalls a non-Alliance military chaplain who served with him in Afghanistan, saying: “Nurture the living, care for the wounded, honor the dead. This is what we are called to do everyday.”
Bob Collins, retired Army chaplain and director for Alliance Chaplain Ministries, agrees: “Pray for our chaplains. They are missionaries to a different culture, preaching the gospel in areas where no pastor or missionary can go. Their appointments are made by God!”
April 24, 2007
Institutional Chaplaincy with The Christian and Missionary Alliance has emerged from obscurity to become one of the Alliance’s most dynamic and effective means of outreach to hurting and disenfranchised people. Institutional Chaplaincy is on the cutting edge of home and overseas missions.
Alliance Institutional Chaplains know how to engage people who live and work outside the organized church. Chaplains have received specialized training and possess skill sets that uniquely prepare them for ministry to those who suffer and who are seeking meaning in their lives, especially as they approach death.
Alliance Chaplains have always regarded themselves as missionaries at their place of employment. Chaplains are sent by the Alliance to extend the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. In many ways, they become the face of Jesus to those who might not see Jesus in any other way.
Federal Chaplains include Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard Chaplains. These military chaplains serve in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Other Federal Chaplains serve in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and in Veteran Administration Hospitals. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Chaplains are voluntary federally recognized chaplains that provide ministry to members of the Civil Air Patrol and their families. In the C&MA these are all licensed and ordained spiritual leaders.
These Chaplains serve both God and country by bringing their unique ministry gifts to serve military members and their families, war veterans, professional staffs and federal prisoners. These services may be provided in places and in facilities where local pastors may never be allowed to go. It is a ministry that requires specialized training and may require a commitment to serve the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines of our nation in the broad, challenging, diverse, and ever changing environment. It may require special training in hospital or prison ministry.
Military Chaplains minister to our nation's sons and daughters, and their families. As with any military member, chaplains must endure the hardships, separations, and deprivations of those whom they serve. Like any Minister, they must provide dynamic and genuine ministry with a shepherd's heart.
Our nation's Military VA Hospitals and Federal Prisons deserve qualified, committed, and called men and women to serve as spiritual leaders. The Alliance desires to endorse men and women who truly believe they are called to serve others and to demonstrate the love of Jesus in a specialized environment. If you are considering the call to any of these ministries, please know: the need has never been greater, the experience never so rich.
Contact Rev. Bob Collins, Chaplain, US Army (Retired), to find out how you may serve.
Office Phone: (254) 699-9809
Cell: (254) 258-0400
e-mail: rcollins2@hot.rr.com
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