Religious Support Team Ministry in Iraq
Army Chaplain, Captain Danny Claypoole, a recent graduate of the Church of God Theological School, shared the following report of his ministry with our military troops on the battle front. Here is what a typical day of ministry as he serves Task Force Iron Shield in Iraq:
The Religious Support team has enjoyed another month of ministry in Iraq. We have broadened our ministry to even more contexts where we have been able to care for the needs of Sailors and Soldiers all over Iraq. My Chaplain Assistant, SPC Whorley and I, had the privilege of talking with Alpha battery and the fine Sailors that support the mission there. Officer-in-Charge, CPT Guy, escorted us to the motor pool where we observed the great work being done there and passed out some religious support material to those fine Soldiers. I met the Sailors who were an integral part of intercepting terrorism and saving the lives of those around them. They have every right to be proud of what they have accomplished.
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Chaplain Claypoole (center) on a Humvee with troops in Iraq. |
My main objective as their Chaplain is to go where our Soldiers and Sailors work and live and continually encourage their morale through pastoral counsel and ministry of presence. This often means packing up a bag, boarding a Blackhawk helicopter in order to stay a few days in very remote locations. It is in the these remote locations that I have the opportunity to provide religious support material, counseling, personal prayer, devotions and even a Worship Service to build up their inner spiritual man. We recently stayed in one of Sadaam’s old prison facilities. The conditions were rough, running water was a commodity, and the sewage system was severely lacking. I have already experienced the very rewarding ministry that goes with being a Military Chaplain. I would recommend that every serious minister be able to experience this kind of ministry at a time in their lives.
Additionally, I found out what it was like serve along side those in “Death Row,” which is the platoon of professionals in Charlie battery that escort various convoy’s. I coordinated regularly with the Chain of Command so that we could provide ministry of presence for the day. I prayed for all of our safety before joining them in the support of convoy escort missions. They only made one mistake in the whole mission, by thinking they could easily take the Chaplain in table tennis and billiards after we enjoyed lunch together.
SPC Whorley and I rode along side of some Soldiers in Delta’s motor pool that were making sure that the generators were maintained. Although there are dangerous aspects to their mission, they kept talking about positive things and continued to do their jobs. I was able to congratulate some of the Soldiers there that were recently promoted.
We were also able to greet the new Sailors with free stuff and information about the countless religious support opportunities at the compound. SPC Whorley handed out some of the two-hundred Psalms 91 bandanas from the Church of God Chaplain Commission in Cleveland, TN who proudly supports Service members and their families.
Finally, it is great to meet so many Soldiers and Sailors who are devoted to serving God and Country. I firmly believe that their sacrificial attitudes are what make our military the strong force that it is. I am proud to be serving along side them and supporting them in their daily operations.
To learn more about the Church of God Chaplains Commission chaplaincy programs, visit the Chaplains Commission website at: www.cogchaplains.com
