COLUMBIA, S.C.—Congratulations to Ch (CPT) Jeremiah Cates, who graduated from the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course at the United States Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson. Chaplain Cates, his wife, Jennifer, and their sons, Ethan and Evan, live in Wyoming, where he serves with the Wyoming Army National Guard as a Rear Detachment chaplain. (more…)
One hundred fifty messengers representing 22 partnering associations from 10 countries recently converged in Bangkok, Thailand, for the first biennial conference of the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries. Building on the Biblical concept that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12), each speaker and workshop leader endeavored to transform the passive theory of partnering into an active strategy. (more…)
ANTARCTICA—Chaplain Rick Steen has been leading Christmas Eve and Christmas services for military personnel in Antarctica, where the current “summer” temperature hovers around 16 below zero.
Chaplain Steen, deployed with the Tennessee Air National Guard, describes Antarctica as a place where everyone is preoccupied with nature—but often distracted from the truth of God’s Word. (more…)
Over the weekend of 29–30 Aug 09 Chaplain John Murdoch ministered at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Modesto, CA, and Crossroads Baptist Church, Tracy, CA.
On Monday 31 August 09 Chaplain Murdoch and Pastor Tim Heinrich met with Chief Chris Bosch and discussed the development of a chaplaincy program for the City of Tracy Fire Department. This was a very successful meeting. Pastor Heinrich has been asked to participate as their first chaplain. He has been endorsed by the Chaplaincy Commission of the GARBC for this ministry, and we anticipate an exciting ministry upon the inception of this program. Chaplain Murdoch is available to help other departments establish chaplaincy programs should any of our pastors requests his assistance.
Photo: Pastor Tim Heinrich, Chief Chris Bosch, and Chaplain John Murdoch in front of the Tracy Fire Department Administration Building.
On behalf of the GARBC, we want to thank all of our Veterans and current Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members of every Branch of our military, for your service to our great country. Today in ceremonies all over America, people are taking time to stop and reflect on what you have purchased for us: Freedom. You have stood in the gap and have sacrificed time, energy, blood, and some have given their lives so we could be free. Your fulfillment of assignments, whether OCONUS or CONUS, is deeply appreciated, and we honor you today. May God bless you and may you enjoy these days with your family as you remember the days of deployment that took you to distant shores. You are a vital part of our Nation and its history, our Fellowship of churches, and our communities. Live your lives for God’s glory so that others will be in awe of Him and not only honor your service but want to know your God (2 Cor. 5:9, 1 Peter 2:12). THANK YOU, VETERANS!!
Chaplain, Colonel & Mrs. John B. Murdoch, CAP
Director of Chaplaincy Ministries
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
On 17-18 Sept 09 Baptist Bible Seminary held its annual Chaplaincy Awareness days in order to bring in front of the College, Graduate School and Seminary student bodies the relevancy of chaplaincy ministry. Chaplains participated in dorm devotions, chapel, and an open forum lunch. Representatives from all branches of the military participated, as well as representation from the Regular Baptist Chaplaincy Ministry. Retired chaplains Jim May and Allen Ferry were present along with Chaplain, Major Kevin Browne, USAF, and Chaplain John Murdoch, the Director of Chaplaincy Ministries of the GARBC. Chaplains May and Browne spoke in both the college and seminary chapel services. This annual presentation also highlights the Seminary Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Military Chaplaincy. It is a joy to participate in this event.
Photo is of Ch, Maj Kevin G. Browne, USAF speaking in Chapel at Baptist Bible College Chaplaincy Emphasis Days.
The annual National Boards and Conference of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol was held in San Antonio, Texas 2-5 Sept 09. Twelve of our Regular Baptist pastors participate as chaplains in CAP and three are a part of the Executive and Advisory Councils of the Chaplain Corps. Ch, Col Whit Woodard is the Chief of the Chaplain Corps, Ch, Lt Col Ken Van Loon is the Secretary of the councils, and Ch, Col John Murdoch has served as a special advisor to the Chief since serving as the Chief from 1996-1998. This ministry is an excellent way for pastors and youth pastors to reach into the lives of people who usually do not attend their church. Chaplain, Major General Cecil Richardson, USAF, the Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Corps, was the speaker at the Prayer Breakfast in which Chaplains Woodard and Murdoch participated.
Photo: Chaplain, Colonel John B. Murdoch, CAP and Ch, Maj Gen Cecil Richardson, USAF
The 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division, to which Ch Mark Worrell is assigned, deployed this spring from Ft Bliss, making their way to Iraq. As a means of support and camaraderie, and a focus on a healthy way to deal with the stress of deployment, 4-1AD families are taking part in WISH – Walking Iron Strong for Heroes – a program that is being implemented on posts around the world. 4-1AD officially launched their WISH campaign on 13 March, when brigade soldiers, spouses, and kids lined up and walked the first mile together. Family members who signed up to be part of a WISH team were given pedometers to keep track of how far they walk throughout the deployment time. (Swimming and aerobics also count towards the total.) At Dallas (565 miles) they will be awarded a WISH T-shirt; at Atlanta (785 miles) a water bottle; at Bermuda (1000 miles) a shoe bag; at Casablanca (2275 miles) a cap/visor; at Crete (6858 miles) a sports towel; and at Baghdad (7569 miles) a Finisher’s Medal. The goal is for the teams to “walk to Iraq” by the time the soldiers return next year. Way to go 4-1AD!
On 3 April, four Regular Baptist chaplain candidates graduated from Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course in Ft Jackson, SC. Pictured from l-r are Brian Jumche, Randal Croel, (Ch John Murdoch in center), Stanley (Skip) Manus, and Jonathan Court . We congratulate them on this significant step toward achieving their goal of service as a military chaplain! Other requirements include completion of a 72-hr master’s degree, ordination, and two years of vocational ministry experience.
Ch, CPT Randy Curry is nearing the end of his assignment at Ft Polk, LA, the site of the Joint Readiness Training Center. Here troops are brought in for several weeks of specialized training before being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Iraqi and Afghani “villages” have been set up, and civilians living in the Ft Polk area are hired to come in and act as villagers. The battalion to which Ch Curry is assigned acts as insurgents that must be “flushed out” and neutralized by the soldiers who have come in for the training. Maneuvers are videotaped and critiqued to fine tune tactics. This serious operation causes soldiers to evaluate their readiness for the mission and can nudge them towards seeking out the chaplain in quiet moments.
