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CFGC Newsletter May 2007
1) DIRECTOR’S NOTE
2) CFGC NAMES NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
3) MONTHLY CHAPLAINS’ CORNER
4) Congratulations to the CFGC CH-BOLC 07-001 Graduates!
5) Navy Reserves Offering Deferment
6) Army C5 Course to be Requirement
7) Walter Reed Stops ‘Any Soldier’ Mail Program
8) 1 Chron. 29
9) CFGC STAFF SCHEDULE
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DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I have often wondered what God had in store for my future as a Believer in His Son. You see, when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in April 1979, I had 18 ½ years in the military, was assigned to Fort Benning, GA and was an instructor at the Ranger Department. I made a vow to God: “Father, if you allow me to serve another 18 months in the military in order to receive retirement benefits, I will go wherever you send me, and do whatever you instruct me to do.” The Lord kept His promise, now I am trying to keep mine.
When I arrived in Dallas four years ago, I understood that CH (LTC) Patrick Steiert, who was the Administrative Officer, and was called to Active Duty, would be away for six months or so, but four years later, he is still Active Duty and I am still in Dallas. After CH Steiert resigned his position as Administrative Officer, I was moved from temporary to permanent status. Since then, keeping my vow to the Lord has been pretty tough, especially when it came time to get my wife to concur and to be obedient to the Lord on my behalf. She has been faithful, and my vow to the Lord remains intact. So, when Jim Ammerman asked me to stay on as Director and Endorsing Executive, those of you who have spouses can imagine how my wife reacted, especially after the current four-year stay. Again she relented, put our plans on the back-burner, and gave God the glory for His kindness toward us.
When I accepted this position, I made another vow to the Lord: to do everything within my power to continue to obey my first vow and to never shame His Name. To better serve you, the Chaplains and families of CFGC, I vow to live up to the standards required of all CFGC Chaplains. To better equip myself before you, I have enrolled in a Doctorate in Counseling degree program, which is to begin in August. My current degree program, Masters in Theology, will be completed in June. Please pray for me as I endeavor to travel this godly path. As you pray, please remember that I cannot fill Jim Ammerman’s shoes; I wear a size 12; he once told me that his shoe size was a 9 ½.
The Lord be with you and your families!
Hosea Amos, Jr
Endorsing Executive
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CFGC NAMES NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
CH (CPT) Todd Wolf and his wife Michelle had planned to found a www.dreamcenter.org in Cheyenne, WY with Todd serving in the Army Guard or Reserve. When CFGC needed a servant in the Ministry of Helps, the Wolfs decided to sacrifice their plans and military future to work with the hundreds of full gospel chaplains who represent this vastly fruitful organization. Anticipating Hosea’s departure two years ago, Todd approached the Ammermans to see if assistance was needed at CFGC. Todd stepped forward again to assist CFGC at the end of the February 2007 conference in Arlington, TX. Following an interview after Todd’s second proposal to help CFGC, he was offered an opportunity of a lifetime to serve God in the ideal position for his experience and personality.
Recognizing CFGC’s impact for the Kingdom of God, the Wolfs immediately elected to sell their newly purchased house, near Cheyenne, and to move to Dallas as soon as possible. Todd has completed well over the minimum eight year military obligation, therefore, he cannot be recalled to active service and does not need to wait until age 60 to serve at CFGC.
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MONTHLY CHAPLAINS’ CORNER
In response to the requests from many of you, the following article is the first of many to be shared by those CFGC Chaplains experiencing issues of common interests.
March 27, 2007
Dear Sir:
Professor Stephanie Coontz (Stars and Stripes, March 27) argues that the antiquity, durability and Judeo-Christian affirmation of traditional marriage are “demonstrably untrue,” in order to justify same-sex marriage. She falsely states that the form of marriage “most often mentioned in the first five books of the Old Testament was polygamy.” The Bible’s first and oldest statement on marriage is that “a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.” No polygamy there. She says Christianity didn’t sanctify marriage: true, God did it thousands of years earlier. As Solomon wrote, “a faithful wife… is [worth] far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
In those five books, only 3 of 21 men whose wives are mentioned were polygamists: Lamech the murderer, Esau, and Jacob – unwittingly. Jacob’s father-in-law cunningly switched Leah for Jacob’s chosen bride, Rachel, on their wedding night; and Jacob gave 7 more years’ labor as Rachel’s dowry. While polygamy was permitted for Israelites, it was never the norm. Marriages were arranged between parents to bind families together.
Contrary to Professor Coontz, Jesus affirmed traditional marriage by citing the ancient verse above and the command to honor one’s father and mother. His first miracle was at a wedding. He also started a second, spiritual family composed of believers. Coontz ignores the distinction. The New Testament calls that family “the Bride of Christ.” Traditional marriage is a metaphor for Christ’s union with his Bride; same sex unions are not. The Bible also consistently condemns homosexuality and forbids sex outside of marriage. Coontz ignores that, too.
The ancient marriage liturgy well states that: “Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God…. [It] is the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured…. Marriage is a way of life made holy by God…. It enriches society and strengthens community.” Same sex relationships fail to meet this standard, and can never be morally equivalent to traditional marriage.
Sincerely,
CH (COL) Henri Fischer
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
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Congratulations to the CFGC CH-BOLC 07-001 Graduates!
On April 5, 2007, five CFGC Chaplains/Candidate graduated from the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CH-BOLC) 07-001 at Ft Jackson, SC. These graduates are (from L to R, as shown in the picture above): CH (1LT) Robert J. Baima, CH (1LT) Jose L. Serrano, CH (1LT) Kathleen Williams, CC (2LT) Namen D. Bouma, and CH (CPT) Mark A. Tinsley. CH (CPT) Mark A. Tinsley was the 07-001 class leader. CFGC graduates also received two of the three awards given to this class. Tinsley received top honors as the Distinguished Honor Graduate. Baima received the Iron Warrior Award for attaining one of the highest physical training scores in the history of the chaplaincy school.
We would like to commend all of you for your exemplary performance in CH-BOLC 07-001. May God bless all of you and your families, now and always, exceedingly!
-- Submitted by Annette M. Powledge
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Navy Reserves Offering Deferment
The Navy Reserve is offering a two-year deferment from involuntary mobilization to Sailors who join the Reserve Component within six months after release from active duty. Additionally, Sailors who join the Reserves 7-12 months after leaving active duty are eligible for a one-year deferment. Anyone who has been out of the service for less than four years can re-enlist in the Navy Reserve and maintain their current pay grade. Navy veterans may be eligible for up to a $20,000 lump sum bonus if they affiliate with the Navy Reserve for six years. For more information on reserve programs, contact CMDR Berda at 703-614-4404.
--Military.com – Benefits, 3/26/07
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Army C5 Course to be Requirement
The Captain’s Career Common Core Course will become required for graduation from all branch Captain’s Career Courses beginning June 1. The instruction is in a Web-based interactive multimedia format that facilitates self-paced study. Although completion of the C5 is not a requirement to attend the Captains’ Career Course, Soldiers may complete the training before beginning the career course. First lieutenants and captains may enroll in the C5 via ATRRS. Eligible officers should contact their career manager to determine specific branch requirements. – Military.com – Benefits, 3/26/07
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Walter Reed Stops ‘Any Soldier’ Mail Program
Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of cards, letters, care packages and more sent to Wounded Warriors there. This has heightened security concerns, increased administrative burdens, drained resources and limited other functions. Therefore, the medical center is phasing out its “To any Wounded Soldier” mail program.
To continue to support troops, both at Walter Reed and throughout the military, the Center suggests using Web sites such as http://www.americasupportsyou.mil; http://www.usocares.org/src/uso_donate.htm; http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/ and http://www.redcross.org.
For those without computer access, contacting the nearest military installation, the local National Guard or military Reserve unit to ask about supporting the troops may offer an alternative to mailing packages to Walter Reed.
“Our patients, military and civilian staff members and hospital leaders appreciate everything the general public has done to support our Soldiers,” MG George W. Weightman, Commanding General of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, said, “This generosity is truly the embodiment of the American spirit.” – Army Echoes
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1 Chron. 29
Vs.10) Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11) Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou are exalted as head above all. 12) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all. 13) Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14) But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee…17) I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness…18) O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee. – King David is speaking of all that he and the people offered unto God for the building of His Temple. I, on the other hand, offer up this prayer as a thanksgiving for His kindness in selecting me to watch over this ministry that He bestowed upon Jim and Charlene. Let’s give Him our offerings of love and kindness for these prosperous years on His behalf, and His continuance to do so under new leadership.
Praise God!
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CFGC STAFF SCHEDULE
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| May |
07-11 |
Int’l Conference of Faith Ministries Annual Conf. |
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Dallas, TX |
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11 |
CH Michael Moore’s daughter, Seminary |
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graduation, Ft Worth, TX |
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12 |
Annual Military Prayer Breakfast, San |
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Antonio, TX |
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13 |
Mother’s Day |
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15-18 |
Military Chaplains’ Association, San |
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Antonio, TX |
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28 |
Memorial Day |
| June |
14 |
Flag Day & Army Birthday |
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17 |
Fathers’ Day |
| July |
4 |
Independence Day |
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