9/11 Drastically Changed Chaplaincy Ministries
By Dr. Robert Crick
When the twin towers were attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, it drastically changed Church of God chaplaincy ministries. Our military immediately began the process of preparing our chaplains and troops for deployment to Afghanistan and later Iraq and the Persian Gulf region. Since 9-11, the Church of God has sent more than 50 military chaplains to these combat areas; with one chaplain being seriously wounded, families uprooted and the opportunity for unbelievable ministry. Thousands of soldiers have been won to the Lord through our chaplains; large baptismal services conducted in the middle of the dessert, and a chaplains commission support program established that is almost unbelievable. Tens of thousands of Psalm 91 bandanas, hundreds of thousands of Little Debbie cookies, new convert packets, Bibles, devotional materials and other resources have been sent to our troops through the personal ministry of our chaplains. Even today, seven Church of God chaplains are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as another five chaplains are preparing for future deployments. The Chaplains Commission, in conjunction with Operation Compassion, sent two truckloads of goods to two of our largest military bases to just remind our troops and their families that they are in our hearts and prayers.
 |
|
Assisting victims on September 11, 2001. |
September 11 has also affected our institutional ministries. Following 9-11, the Chaplains Commission developed an extensive disaster response ministry that now has affected regions and local churches. We knew our churches must be ready for the next terrorist attack, natural disaster or some other catastrophe. Following the twin towers incident, the Chaplains Commission responded by training hundreds of disaster response ministers and becoming a part of the general Church disaster ministries program that reaches into almost every region in the United States, and wherever we have Church of God missions outside the U.S.
While the enemy meant September 11, 2001 for evil, God has transformed that awesome day into many wonderful ministries. We feel the 3,000 lives lost on that tragic day, along with the thousands of soldiers who have given their lives in this War on Terrorism, has caused thousands of ministers and laity alike to become active participants in reaching out beyond the four walls of their local churches; getting involved in the Chaplains Commission Disaster Response and Training Programs and developing the skills needed to care for those whom Christ has called us to serve in their time of greatest need.
If you are interested in Church of God chaplaincy ministries, visit our website at www.cogchaplains.com or by calling 423-478-7033.
