The Chaplains Commission has identified 69 countries that have some level of chaplaincy ministry or outreach. Some of these countries, like Romania, have a long history of well-developed chaplaincy programs. The work in Romania is directed by Dr. Radu Tirle, who is also a national senator. Shortly, these chaplaincy ministries will be centered in a new $500,000 facility that will also house a medical clinic, benevolence outreach and a chaplaincy training institute.
In Paraguay, chaplaincy ministries are directed by Chaplain Paul Stockard. He has conducted many chaplaincy courses, including one recently to high level law enforcement personnel.
It is now estimated that we have taught our 40-hour Community Service Chaplains Basic Course to more than 2,500 people outside the United States. Campus Chaplaincy, one of our newest ministries, is also being developed in many countries. A chaplain in the Czech Republic ministers in the English language training classes. In the country of Togo, Chaplain Timothy has been conducting campus ministries for eight years.
At a recent chaplaincy event, 200 students attended, with 100 stepping forward to receive Jesus Christ as Savior. In the Bahamas, youth leader Eileen Johnson is planning a large youth convention in July, whereby college students’ ministry needs will be addressed. Bahamian college students will be the leaders for this convention.
It is the goal of the Chaplains Commission to develop chaplaincy ministry in every country outside the U.S. where the Church of God exists. In a recent South American conference held in Uruguay, the Director of World Missions, Reverend Roland Vaughan, said that chaplaincy is “God’s new and creative means to reach a hurting world.” He went on to say, “In today’s world, they will not come to us; we must go to them. And I know of no better way for such a ministry to be structured than that of chaplaincy.”
Chaplaincy is not an exclusive American ministry; it is a scriptural mandate that belongs wherever the gospel is preached and lived out.
–Dr. Robert Crick, Director, Chaplains Commission