Executive Director
Bobby Thornton
Chaplain, Colonel USAF (Ret.)
I want to begin this report with what has humbled my heart and spirit in the past year. That is the positive response that some of our pastors have given (through their churches) to this department of our work. I want to express my deepest and most sincere appreciation to them for their leadership in the financial and spiritual support of this department. They have demonstrated that they believe in the "WHOLE" of the work of the Association of Churches, and I am super proud of such pastors.
Another thing that I'm excited about in this department is an awareness that God is giving to some of our pastors about the composition of our churches into what we call an "Associated Work." This has been evidenced by four new endorsements by the Chaplaincy Department this past year. We have endorsed one pastor as Chaplain for hospice work, one to the International Conference of Police Chaplains, one to the Arkansas Department of Corrections and one to the United States Air Force Reserves. This is a good sign that more of our people are beginning to understand the purpose and advantage of this Department.
I thank the pastors who have invited me to preach at patriotic services this past year. It has been enjoyable and rewarding. People often ask me if I am retired. No, I am not "retired." I just became too old to be in the Air Force any longer; therefore, I was forced out. I still love to preach and teach and I am willing to do that wherever God opens the door. I have depended on our pastors to allow God to open those doors, and I thank you for every opportunity.
Chaplains serve in areas where it is difficult, and at times impossible, for churches to have a personal ministry. Thus, the chaplain becomes the arm and witness of the churches in these places. They bring the message of hope, counsel, how God so loved the world (them) that He gave His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as the Sacrifice for all their sin, and that God has provided all good things for them. That is why we endorse chaplains: so they can in reality represent the teachings of the churches and we give glory to God through the churches. I don't know how to say it any better than that.
Air Force Reserve Chaplain, Captain Dwight Hudler continues to serve at Barksdale AFB, LA. With the "downsizing" of Our military personnel, the Reserve Chaplains have become a very important part of the "Total Force." They back-fill for the Active Duty Chaplains who spend much of their time on Temporary Duty in the many "hot spots" of the world.
Chaplain, Major David Norvell works out of Fort Gillem, GA. It is his job to minister to recruiters in the cities throughout the southeastern part of the US. He is on the road much of the time, but is available for preaching in our churches whenever there is an opportunity.
Chaplain, Major Scott Carson is still in Fort Hood. That's right, he is a Major! We are really happy for his promotion. It came in what was his last hour, as it were, in the Army as a chaplain. It was a joy to be at his pinning ceremony on 1 October last year. Congratulations, Scott!
Doctor, Chaplain Harold McNeill continues his effective ministry at Rusk, TX State Hospital. Hal McNeill is the senior among our chaplains, and he has been an example for all of us to emulate. He has the heart and spirit that make a chaplain effective and blessed of the Lord. It is good that he is able to touch many of our seminary students with his ministry.
Chaplain Phillip Misenheimer ministers at the Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR. He is highly respected by the Hospital Administration and Staff. This is earned by faithful and effective ministry. He has a great heart for the work God has given him in this setting. I know of no greater ministry than that given to people who are broken in body, often impoverished in soul, and destitute of spirit.
Chaplain, Captain Forrest "Bo" Bankston, Jr., ministers to the 298th CORPS Support Battalion, Philadelphia, MS. Not only are the Reserve Chaplains more vital in their role with the cut backs in personnel, but it is equally true with the Guard Chaplains. We are proud of the work of Chaplain Bankston. His track record is outstanding.
Chaplain, Lieutenant David Cline is our only Navy Chaplain, but he is pulling a tour with the Marines in Twenty-nine Palms, CA. David has taken to the Chaplaincy like a thirsty horse to water. I could not be more pleased than I am with the way David has approached his ministry as a military chaplain.
The following pastors have been endorsed this past year:
Scott Meahan was endorsed to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He will serve at the Delta Unit as a Certified Religious Assistant (CRA) with Chaplain Chuck Gladden, the head chaplain. I hope to see the day when Scott and others will be endorsed as chaplains in our prisons.
Dale Jackson was endorsed as a chaplain to The hospice of Southwest Missouri, Inc. and Hospice Care at VNA., Springfield, MO. I am thrilled that Brother Jackson experienced God's direction for this ministry. This is a wide open field of much needed service with unlimited opportunities.
Kenneth Brawner was endorsed to the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He will serve the police officers at Gulfport, MS. Chaplain Brawner has been accepted by the above organization as a fully qualified chaplain. Pastors, there are many more opportunities for this type of ministry. Feel free to contact Chaplain Brawner: 25021 Clarke Rd., Saucier, MS 39574.
Chaplain, Captain George Rogers is chaplain for the 356 Quarter Master Battalion in Laurel, MS. His work consists of ministering to companies of this parent unit throughout South Mississippi. This man stays excited about the work God has given him to do as a chaplain. George is in the Army Reserves, which means that he is eligible for call to Active Duty in time of crisis.
Kenneth Thornton, pastor of Mount Calvary Church in Vidalia, LA, was endorsed to the Air Force Reserves. He has already taken his required four weeks of officer's training and will take his chaplaincy training this year. He is serving at Barksdale AFB, LA. We welcome Bro. Thornton to the military chaplain program of our churches. He will do well.
Greetings
I want to say what a joy it is to serve our churches through this Department. I love the chaplaincy work. It is where I spent more than twenty-three years of the Lord's ministry. It is a worthy ministry, and I assure all our churches and pastors that there is absolutely no compromise by any of our chaplains of the teachings and doctrines believed by our churches. All whom we endorse are faithful servants of God with a keen sense of God's calling on their lives. I am proud of them, and glad to be associated with them in such a vital and caring ministry.
There are thirteen chaplains (highest number we have ever had) endorsed by this Department. They serve in various branches of the military, prisons, Civil Air Patrol, hospitals, police and fire departments, and one chaplain to The Market Place Ministries Organization.
FINANCIAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
It has been my experience in over forty-four years of ministry that many people only pray when all other means of help have been exhausted. The only problem with that spiritual behavior is it negates huge chunks of our lives where and when spiritual growth and development can and should take place. I sincerely ask that you and the churches remember this Department in your prayers. At the same time, as you pray for us, that you (if possible) find some way to financially support this Department.
At the present, there are forty-seven churches that support this Department. That is the highest number ever to support it. I must be realistic with you, some of these churches give one offering a year and sometimes the offering is no more than $10.00.
I am not complaining, but you know how much $10.00 will buy these days. No department can exist on $10.00 per year from our churches. I humbly ask that the pastors give the churches an opportunity to support the Chaplaincy Department. It true some of our churches give liberally to the Department, and there are four or five individuals who faithfully give to the Department. We are no longer broke, but there are things that need to be done that we cannot do without additional support.
May God continue to bless this Association of churches and give you successes to His praise and glory.
BOBBY THORNTON, Executive Director of the Armed Forces Institutional Chaplaincy Committee
