By Cameron Fisher
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS–The Church of God Chaplain’s Commission held their bi-ennial conference recognizing and honoring military and institutional chaplains on August 2-4 at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. As part of the celebration, two landmark dates were celebrated: 50 years since the Church of God commissioned its first chaplain and 30 years since the founding the Chaplains Commission.
Director of the Chaplains Commission, Dr. Robert Crick, moderated the conference, which began on Saturday evening with a pizza fellowship and was followed the next day with a conference addressing the unique needs of military, institutional and volunteer chaplains and their ministries. Several dynamic speakers challenged the delegates.
The highlight of the conference was the Honors Dinner and Awards Ceremony held Sunday evening at the Hilton. Military chaplains and their spouses came dressed in their best as each was invited to pose for a formal photo as part of the evening. Following a greeting and invocation by Chaplains Commission Chairman, Darrell Waller and a delicious banquet meal, Chaplain Crick recognized several special guests, including members of the executive committee. A new recruitment DVD was unveiled followed by a duet performed by sisters Patti Nichols and Valarie Durham. Patti, along with her husband, Jim, is a chaplain, while Valarie’s husband, Neal, was unable to attend due to being deployed in Iraq as a chaplain.
Donnie Smith, director of the Care Division of which the Chaplains Commission is part, greeted the crowd and was followed by a musical package from the Patten Singers of Patten University, directed by Sandi King.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the coveted Chaplaincy Awards. Dr. Crick moderated the awards ceremony, first recognizing Victor and Ada Pagan for the International Chaplain Award. Rev. Pagan is field director for the Church of God in South America and was honored primarily for the establishment of a chaplaincy center in Ecuador.
For the Community Service Chaplain Award, recognizing a non-military chaplain, the Chaplains Commission recognized Jack Smith of Newport News, Va. The Volunteer Chaplain Award was given to Jerry Cox of Knoxville, Tenn., for his exemplary work as a law enforcement chaplain.
The highest award of the evening went to Rev. Gene Wigelsworth and his wife, Florie. Rev. Wigelsworth was recognized with the Distinguished Chaplain Award for his 25+ years of chaplaincy ministry with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Also recognized were Connie and Anne Walker, who were presented a one-time ‘Historical Award’ for their 44 years of assistance and support of chaplaincy ministry and Larry Owens who has served 26 years on the Chaplains Commission Board.
General Overseer G. Dennis McGuire was the featured speaker for the banquet where he challenged those who have a calling to chaplaincy to, “Dream big dreams!…when you dream a big dream and it becomes reality, you know it is the Lord who has helped you…be everything you can be for the glory of God!”