Chaplain Stories

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spiritual Reality: Chaplain Leads Soldier to Christ Virtually
By Chaplain Chester Olson, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, CA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1920″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]2020 was a difficult year for the students at The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) at the Presidio of Monterey (POM). Starting mid-March 2020, all the classes were conducted virtually.

I am also teaching my world religion classes virtually through Microsoft Teams (MS Teams). Our chapel services have also gone virtual.  It has been a challenge to stay connected with some of the congregation, specifically the retirees and Department of the Army civilians (staff and faculty).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Despite all the challenges, the Lord continues to bless us with health and an abundance of creative ministry opportunities.

 

One of the greatest blessings this quarter was the opportunity to lead a Soldier to Christ using MS Teams. We talked several times virtually and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Please pray for the physical and spiritual health of my family, the students, and staff at DLI, along with the chaplain team at the POM. Please pray for a safe transition back into the classroom.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1921″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Chaplain Olson’s update reminds us that many of our service members currently battle more than one enemy. Troops in language training at DLIFLC battle isolation and boredom. Pray for Chester and his language students, faculty, staff, and military cadre, as they battle several challenges in an unprecedented situation.  He is one of 200 chaplains in our network of military and civilian ministry specialists who face life-and-death situations, daily. Ask God to guide and sustain them and their families as they follow their unique call to ministry.

For more stories by and about Venture Church’s 200 chaplains, military and civilian, visit Chaplaincy – Venture Church Network. For information on chaplain endorsement, email Randy Brandt, Director, at r.brandt@venturechurches.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]