April 18, 2007
Reported by Army Chaplain Kevin Pies, written by Joan Phillips
Gunfire. Roadside bombs. Mortar attacks. The soldiers with Alliance Chaplain Kevin Pies, serving in a U.S. Army support battalion in Iraq, have experienced firsthand God’s divine protection.
“The chaplain goes to work with his parishioner,” says Pies. “He’s right there, 24/7, and is able to build relationships easily.” He sees his military position as a safe harbor for his fellow soldiers. “Since I’m not in the chain of command, I have opportunities to counsel, console, and pray with the men and women.”
In the wee hours of the morning, unaffectionately coined “o’dark thirty,” Pies’ unit awaited orders to proceed from Kuwait into Iraq. Wary of entering the enemy’s lair, the troops wanted the assurance of God’s presence and protection. “Everyone I saw that morning allowed me to pray with them,” says Pies. “There was no discussion of separation of church and state.”
The trek into Baghdad did not go without incident. Many tense moments caused Pies and his unit to rely on God’s strength to see them through. “It was a challenge just to cope with the elements,” he adds. Living out of a Humvee for the first four months in 130-degree heat, battling bugs, scorpions, and tarantulas raised the anxiety level of the men and women.
In the midst of hostile fire and mortar attacks, Pies maintained his post: praying with the troops. “God has a captive audience in a desert-bound soldier,” he continues. “Stripped of modern conveniences and communication with the outside world, he or she has time to think about spiritual things and reevaluate relationships with loved ones back home.”
One soldier told Pies, “It took the desert for me to learn what it means to communicate with my wife.”
Throughout his deployment, Pies repeatedly has witnessed God’s protective hand upon the troops. One night in particular stands out. “Three mortar rounds came into the compound,” he says.
The soldiers were sitting under a camouflage-net tent. The first two rounds missed the tent completely, but the third hit the top of the netting. Instead of burning through the net, potentially killing all the soldiers inside, the mortar shrapnel exploded upward and outward. Only a few men were hit, and the injuries were not life threatening.
Chaplain Pies seized the vulnerable moment to confirm God’s providence. “Inserting a word of my own,” he says, “we read together from Psalm 91, ‘His faithfulness will be your shield . . . A thousand [mortars] may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.’”
Subsequently, troops sent to find the source of the attacks soon returned with several Iraqi rebels. Pies reports that one Iraqi, “. . . asked in broken English, ‘Do you Americans have some kind of force field or protective covering. Some special weapons that we don’t know about? Every time we fire, our weapons miss or they don’t do any damage.’”
Evidence of God’s faithfulness was brought to light repeatedly as the support battalion moved throughout Iraq. The biblical towns of Ur, Abraham’s home; Basrah, the modern day Garden of Eden, and Ninevah, near Mosul, came alive to Chaplain Pies, who linked to these sites to God’s presence then and now. As did the priests for the warriors in Deuteronomy, Pies brings God to the soldiers and the soldiers to God in Iraq.
When you go to war . . . the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “. . . For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you . . . to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).
Chaplain Pies is currently the U.S. Army Space Command Chaplain stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
By LCDR Val J. Jensen, Commander Submarine Group Ten Chaplain
Recently, I went to sea on one of the 10 Trident submarines, the USS WYOMING, homeported at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. This happened to be my 22nd ride on a nuclear submarine—I average approximately one ride a month.
To be able to carry out an effective ministry, it is important that I get to know the crew, but even more important is that the submariners get to know their chaplain. That way when the need arises, they know whom to go to for assistance.
What made this trip unique was the fact that I brought along two guests who are also in full time ministry. Captain C. C. Wiggins, Chaplain Corps, USN, is the Command Chaplain at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL; Colonel E. W. Robyn, USA, Retired, is the Field Staff Representative of Officer Christian Fellowship, Savannah, GA.
During our two day evolution, Captain Wiggins and Colonel Robyn toured the submarine, met with the crew, and had the opportunity to talk with Presidential Management Interns, who were also able to see what life was like on a submerged Ohio Class submarine. The Presidential Management Interns Program was established to attract outstanding individuals who have an interest in a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs. After an outstanding dinner, Chaplain Wiggins delivered a service in the crew’s mess. Time sped by too rapidly and the next day the boat surfaced and was heading home.
We bid each other farewell and would be able to recall a once in a lifetime experience. That Sunday, Chaplain Wiggins gave another service, although this time it was delivered in the beautiful Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Chapel. Her text was Matthew 28:16-20. The scripture speaks of Jesus stating to his disciples: “. . . lo, I am with with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Soon after this article was written, Chaplain Jensen moved to Camp Pendelton Marine Base in California. From there, he has since deployed twice to Iraq with the Marines. Val and his wife, Kate, will leave their U.S. Navy Chaplaincy Family in 2009 to retire in the southeastern United States. Pray for the Lord to lead them into a new, vibrant ministry.
April 13, 2007
by Police Chaplain Paul Northcut
As I rolled over to answer the ringing phone, I noted the time, 2 a.m. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, I said, “Hello.” On the other end was a police officer from Dover, Arkansas. He was out with a very distressed man who needed someone to talk to and asked if I would speak to the man on the phone.
I went into another room so that my wife could go back to sleep. The man told me he felt like everything in his life was going wrong. Among other things his marriage had fallen apart and he had a 17 year-old daughter doing drugs. He felt helpless.
He told me he was a Christian and which church he belonged to. I tried to be encouraging and a comfort for him. I reminded him of some of God’s promises and then we prayed together. Lastly, I encouraged him to speak with his pastor. It is interesting, and also sad, how many people don’t talk to their pastor about what’s really going on in their lives.
I’m glad that officer knew where to turn to find help for this man. I’m glad the Holy Spirit gave me the words that needed to be said. I’m glad the Lord has called me to be His servant to a hurting world. I’m glad there are people who support us in this ministry so that folks can see the love and grace of the Lord at 2 a.m.
Institutional Chaplain Don Mitchem
God has His own special ways of encouraging each one of us in whatever work He calls us to do. Recently, a call came to my office requesting the visit of a chaplain for a patient on the sixth floor of the Maricopa Medical Center. I was told that the patient was a twenty-six year old woman with leukemia and that she was very depressed. I immediately went to visit her. Upon entering her room I noticed that Doreen (not her real name) had very little of her beautiful brown hair left. She didn't seem very conscious of this, but was very quiet, only responding briefly to the few questions I asked as she looked at me with large sad eyes.
As we talked I learned that Doreen was from a small town about three and a half hour's drive northwest of Phoenix. Her pastor was not able to see her very often because of the distance. She was feeling very lonely and depressed. Doreen stated that she was a Christian. I sought to minister with a counsel of encouragement in the Lord, read Scripture to her, and prayed. I promised to see her again the following day.
The next day as I was about to enter Doreen's room, I met up with her doctor. He said: “Chaplain, I want to request that you continue visiting Doreen as regularly as you can. Following your visit yesterday, all of Doreen's monitory machines showed very positive readings for the first time.” I assured him that I would continue to visit Doreen. As I entered her room, my heart was so full of thanksgiving to the Lord! I'm sure it showed. We had a good visit together.
Two weeks ago, I visited a young man at our Psyche Annex facility. He asked about God and Jesus Christ, and why he should believe in both. Using Scripture, I was able to explain and he said he understood. Then he said, “It seems that what I need to do now is receive Christ as my Savior–right?” Joyfully, I exclaimed, “That's exactly right. Would you like to do it now?” His answer was a definite, “Yes!” I led him in praying the sinner's prayer, gave him a Bible and some discipleship instructions before leaving. The next day, he was discharged. Sometimes, we have so little time to have a ministry with patients–pray that I will take advantage of every opportunity God brings my way.
by Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Franklin Blodgett
I was called by the Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol Commander, requesting me to visit a CAP Pilot who had been badly injured in a plane crash on the Alaska Peninsula. I immediately responded, however, because of his recent injuries and medication, was only able to share a few verses of Scripture and pray for his recovery.
Three days later, my 21-year-old daughter and I had an opportunity visit this pilot at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. I asked him, “Don, suppose the worst had happened in the plane crash and instead of surviving you had been killed. Do you know for certain that you would have gone to heaven?” Don responding by telling us that just before the crash, he had a peace that he wouldn’t be killed, but he didn’t know for certain about heaven as his future home.
After a brief discussion, I shared with him how to be certain about heaven and how to receive the gift of eternal life. I explained that it simply meant trusting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Then, I said, “Don, the term, “Lord” doesn’t have a whole lot of meaning today. I want to give you an illustration of what I mean. Suppose you are getting ready to fly from Seward to Anchorage and as you are getting the aircraft ready, Jesus comes up to you and asks for a ride to Merrill Field. You recognize that it is Jesus—there is no doubt in your mind. You say, “Sure Jesus, you can ride with me anywhere. Hop in the copilot seat.” And Jesus says, “No Don, I want to be in the pilot seat; I want to fly you through the good weather and the bad, the icing conditions and the non-icing conditions, the down drafts and the updrafts. I want be to the pilot in command of your life. I want to be at the yoke of your life or if you want to put in car terms at the steering wheel of your life.”
That day Don trusted Jesus Christ to be the pilot of his life. I told him, “Don, this is the most important decision you have made.” He said, “I believe you.” When I visited him the next day, the chaplain from Don’s squadron in Steward was in Don’s room. The first thing Chaplain Blair said to me was, “Don has just shared with me the good news!”
A few weeks later, Don called me and asked me to perform a wedding ceremony for him and his fiancée. I visited and talked with both of them and learned that he had shared his decision with her and she was excited. A few days later, it was my pleasure to unite this couple in the bonds of matrimony.
Institutional Chaplain Don Mitchem
Not too long ago I was doing patient visitation in one of our four Intensive Care areas. I intended to check on all of the patients, but I noticed one young woman kept following me with her eyes. When I finally came to her bed she said, “Chaplain, I need to get back on track with God.” She shared that she had been walking away from God for quite some time, and in the process, had gotten extremely depressed over some terrible things that she had allowed in her life.
“Chaplain, I'm suicidal. That's the reason I'm here. I was unsuccessful in taking my own life. The hospital has placed me under a constant watch.” I looked up from the patient, only to see that a woman had taken a seat fairly near the patient's bed and was watching closely. Seeing my red and white badge that reads “Chaplain” she immediately got up and left us totally alone.
This special patient was so very hungry for God's forgiveness and cleansing for the totally sinful wreck she had made of her life. I counseled her that the only way to God for that cleansing and forgiveness was through Jesus Christ. After explaining the Gospel to her, she was anxious to pray the sinner's prayer.
The next time I saw Susan (not her real name) she looked so rested. She was truly basking in the peaceful rest of a soul that had been cleansed and forgiven, and now owned by The Lord. Susan was so grateful to be given a Bible and some discipleship instructions before being discharged from the hospital. I am following her with my prayers. I invite you to pray with me daily for Susan. Satan will surely be nipping at her heals.
Yet another miracle I would share. One of my volunteer chaplains told me this story. “Chaplain Don, a number of years ago, I couldn't speak any English, only Spanish. “I was working at this hospital as a volunteer chaplain just like now. “One day I was given a certain patient to visit. I went to the patient's room, only to find a man who spoke only English.”
“I thought that this patient's name was given to me by mistake. “I prayed, 'Lord, help me.' “The Lord prompted me to speak to the patient. “When I did, I spoke in perfect English! “Oh, Chaplain, the presence of the Lord was so very real! “I was even able to lead the patient to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “After that, it seemed that I was able to learn English quite easily.”
Ah, “Great and Marvelous are your works, oh, Lord.” God is still in the miracle working business!
by Police Chaplain Paul Northcut
It was a beautiful spring day. I was visiting the folks at City Hall in London, Arkansas, when I received a message on my pager. I was asked to respond to the Flying J Truck Stop and meet with a truck driver who was despondent and talking about suicide. His name was Pete (not his real name), a long distance truck driver from Tennessee. He told me his story.
A few days ago, his wife told him she had enough of his being on the road and she was leaving him. He wasn’t even sure how he got to Russellville. He just started driving and found himself here. In the truck stop, he overheard two people talking. One of them said to the other, “you need to pray.” But Pete thought, “I don’t know how to pray or even who to pray to.” Through an amazing series of events that only God could arrange, Pete found himself sitting at a table with another Christian brother and myself.
For over an hour, we sat together and drank coffee. We let Pete tell his story and listened carefully as he recounted his life. After he finished it was our turn (you have to earn the right to be heard). We shared with him about God’s love and grace and His wonderful plan of salvation. Pete was as “dumb as a rock” when came to the Bible so we started at the beginning. I got a New Testament out of my car and gave it to him. I walked him through the story of Nicodemus in John 3 and down the Romans Road underlining key verses. We wound up at Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in . . .” I asked Pete if he wanted to open his heart to the Lord Jesus. He said he did.
So sitting there in the truck stop, Pete became a new person in Christ. When we stopped praying, I asked Pete how he felt. “The load is gone, I feel like a new man,” was his answer. The first thing he did was to go looking for someone to tell what had happened to him. What a testimony he gave! It is always exciting to see someone born into the family of God. I shared several more pieces of literature with him and more words of encouragement and instructions before we went our separate ways. We asked him to keep in touch and gave him our phone number and addresses. About a week later, we got word that he was still excited about Jesus. So much so that the man he drove with had refused to have him as his partner. Where is Pete now? Somewhere on the Glory road! Praise the Lord.
My wife and I were attending worship service in one of our area churches when my pager went off, again. It was the emergency room. They needed “the Chaplain.” We quietly slipped out and headed for the ER.
A young child had been involved in an accident. The doctors and nurses were doing everything possible, but they knew the outcome. The staff filled me in, telling me that the grandparents had brought him in; they were in the private waiting room. The parents were off somewhere for the weekend. Grandma and grandpa were watching the little one. I went in, introduced myself, and asked if they had a pastor or church. “No, we don’t,” an answer I hear all too often. In their hearts they knew the little one was gone—but they still clung to the hope that somehow there would be a miracle. I prayed with them for the child, and for the doctors to have wisdom and skill from above.
Then we waited.
We tried to contact other family members. We located a few, and they arrived at the ER. Then the doctor came in and broke the news, “I’m so sorry. There was nothing we could do.” The pain and hurt was so intense, “Why? Why him? Why not me?” There are no answers for those questions.
After a little while the grandparents decided they wanted to see the child. I went in with them. The room seemed strangely cold, the child was so still. Again the emotions erupted, loud weeping and uncontrollable grief. As I stood beside the gurney across from the grandfather, I prayed for wisdom. I thought of what King David said when his son died. I shared that with the grandfather—we can’t bring him back, but we can go to be with him. There, next to that small still body, this man prayed and gave his life to the Lord. Then through his tears, I heard him say, “I’ll see you over there.”
Shortly after this, the mother and stepfather arrived. We started the process all over again. Please pray for “the Chaplain” and the many people he deals with.
by Chaplain Don Mitchem, Maricopa Health System
It was only two days after the September 11th tragedy that the administration of my hospital said that I should arrange for a prayer vigil in which the whole hospital could participate. The large hospital auditorium was immediately scheduled as many were expected to attend. The prayer vigil was set for Friday the 14th, noon until 2:00 p.m.
When I stood up to begin the prayer time with a few opening words, I noticed from the large attendance that there were many hospital administration personnel, several doctors and nurses and many regular hospital employees. One other chaplain was present besides myself in fact, one could well ask: “Who is left to run the hospital?”
The atmosphere was one of thoughtful quietness and expectancy. Some prayed silently, some audibly, but a marvelous spirit of the Lord&’s presence lingered during the entire two-hour vigil. Ever so many concluded their prayer with, “In Jesus’ name.” Truly, there were many believers there that really knew how to beseech the Lord. At the conclusion I led them in the singing of “God Bless America.”
Afterwards, I received several calls at my office saying, “We could not come to the prayer vigil. Can you please come to our floor and lead us in prayer also?” Evidently, there were still many more who wanted to be a part of seeking the Lord for the hurting, the dying, the ones lost in the awful rubble, the families of those who perished, and the rescuers who were working so feverishly at the site of the crumbled ruins of the World Trade Center in New York. I responded, “Absolutely, I’ll come right away.”
So I went to each floor and nurses station and led in a brief prayer time. It took the rest of the afternoon, but what a special afternoon it was. Picture if you can, on each floor and at each nurses station, clusters of doctors, nurses and social workers huddled in prayer, many crying as they prayed. There are seven floors to my hospital. This scene took place on each floor. Oh, praise God for a hospital with administrators and employees who believe in and value the power of prayer!
November 2, 2005
A letter sent to President Bush with 69 signatures of members of the U.S. House of Representatives explained that Christian military chaplains are being told not to mention the Name of Jesus when they pray publicly. The representatives wrote, “We are gravely concerned to learn that the Christian military chaplains are under direct attack and that their right to pray according to their faith is in jeopardy. As you may know, the Air Force leadership recently released proposed guidelines that will restrict how Air Force chaplains can pray, and, if approved, those guidelines may well be implemented throughout the entire Department of Defense. We believe that the Air Force's suppression of religious freedom is a pervasive problem throughout our nation's Armed Forces.” The letter requested that Bush, as commander-in-chief, protect by executive order the constitutional right of military chaplains to pray according to their faith.
Another letter, signed by 35 members of the House of Representatives, was sent to Acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren expressing “serious reservations” with the Air Force's “Interim Guidelines Concerning Free Exercise of Religion in the Air Force.” Congressman Todd Akin, who has two sons at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, said, “We're seeing . . . a pattern of hostility to freedom of speech [that is] not only limited to the Air Force.”
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