Chaplaincy Stories

REST STOP: Reflections of a chaplain approaching the off-ramp By Gordon Ruddick, Hospital Chaplain, Oregon I am drawn to wounded people. I am curious when I see the limp, the hesitation, the crooked smile. The shadow in the eyes. The holding back in the heart. And of course, it is my own wounds that give…

Update: Long Distance Hiker Chaplain takes a Lunch Break with High Schoolers By Dennis Newton, Chaplain & Coordinator Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Randy, Thanks for the encouragement. I had a great time today feeding hikers hot dogs and sodas. A Christian High School Summer Hiking Camp came in and I got to invite them over…

Settling In: Participating In Korean Memorial Day Ceremony By Chaplain Greg Uvila, US Marine Corps, ROK Military Chaplains change assignments every two to four years. One chaplain recently transferred from the Pacific Northwest (Eastern Pacific) to the Republic of Korea (Western Pacific) in time to participate in his host nation’s Memorial Day Ceremony. Following is…

SPIRITUAL RESILIENCY TRIPS: JORDAN AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2020 By Chaplain Adam Kawaguchi, US Army Reserve “DUDE! BAPTISMS IN THE JORDAN RIVER On the itinerary, the Jordan River, Mount Nebo, Madaba and Machaerus represent the most biblical of the sites in Jordan. Jerash has some early churches, Umm Qais is traditionally the site of the demon-possessed…

Submarine Veterans Chaplain Wins Souls and Saves a Life in the Process By Assoc. Dir. Andy Meverden & Myra Meverden, RN, Chaplain, Rocky Mountain Submarine Veterans, Denver, Colorado Since January 2015, as director, and since April of 2020 as associate director, I’ve visited VCN chaplains across America. It’s been exciting to see our chaplains and…

“Raise your Right Hand”: One Pastor’s Journey to Commissioning By Pastor Ryan Faust, Chaplain, US Navy Reserve Here is my journey: When I was a kid, I always wanted to join the military. For various reasons, my parents convinced me not to join. So, I went to college instead, got married, and felt called into…

Healing Hero Award: Recently endorsed VCN Chaplain Goes Above and Beyond Humbly submitted by Chaplain Scott Boyles, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TNorse One of our newly endorsed hospital chaplains forwarded the following recognition: Randy,  I hope all is well with you! Thank you so much for remembering my birthday last month! I know it’s…

Fun Run for the Son: All American Chapel Team hold Heaven-Class Event By Sean Callahan, Army Chaplain at Fort Bragg, NC On Saturday, 3 July, All American Chapel Protestant Service hosted a 4 Mile Family Fun Run on Fort Bragg. For weeks leading up to the event, we advertised at the chapel and on social…

Penultimate Chaplain Visit: Chaplain Retires on a Blessing! By Chaplain Jim McMillan & Andy Meverden, Associate Director Good afternoon, Andy, Today I am honored to pray for you, Myra and your ongoing faithful service to our Lord and His kingdom. I have been praying for your health needs as well as enjoyment in your retirement…

Season of Uncertainty and Trouble: Chaplain shares message of hope with listening ears By John Hatfield, Chaplain, Rhode Island National Guard A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! (Proverbs 15:23) It has been a tremendous blessing to proclaim the excellency of…