THE UPDATE
featuring Chaplains and their stories
Army Chaplain Patricia Nichols Breaks New Ground as First Female Church of God Army Chaplain Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
In a historic moment for the Church of God and the U.S. Army, Chaplain (LTC) Patricia Nichols achieved a significant milestone as the first woman Army Chaplain from the Church of God to be promoted to the distinguished rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
January 2025 Intensive Course Announced
December 12, 2025
The Church of God Chaplains Commission invites you to participate in Community Service Chaplaincy training, taking place January 27-31, 2025. This training is open to anyone interested in serving as a Community Service Chaplain. Students worldwide can join the sessions either in person at our Cleveland classroom or via live Zoom video conference.
June 2024 Community Service Chaplaincy Event Training Announced
March 24, 2024
The Church of God Chaplains Commission will conduct Community Service Chaplaincy training June 10-14, 2024. “Anyone interested in serving as a Community Service Chaplain can join students around the world in this Community Service Chaplaincy training...
Upcoming Course Announcement: January 2024 Intensive CSC Training
November 1, 2023
The Church of God Chaplains Commission will conduct Community Service Chaplaincy training January 22-26, 2024. “Anyone interested in serving as a Community Service Chaplain can join students around the world in this Community Service Chaplaincy training...
CSC Training Adds to Growing Number of Community Service Chaplains in Jamaica
June 5, 2023
“Mi deh yah, yuh know” is the Jamaican phrase for “I am here.” This phrase was repeated many times over during the recent Community Service Chaplain course held at the beautiful New Testament Church of God Campsite in St. Ann, Jamaica.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gabriel Rios Wins Award
May 23, 2023
For the first time in nearly a decade, under the leadership of Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Gabriel Rios, the 7th Bomb Wing Chapel Team received the honor of being named the 2022 Air Force Global Strike Command Medium Chapel Team of the Year.
Upcoming Course Announcement: June Intensive CSC Training
May 4, 2023
The Church of God Chaplains Commission has announced special discounted rates for Community Service Chaplaincy training set to take place June 26-30...
Chaplain Sands Receives Award
February 27, 2023
The Chaplains Commission congratulates Chaplain (CPT) Gary D. Sands for being selected as the best Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) Chaplain for the third consecutive year (2020-2022)...
Welcome the New Year with Certification in Community Service Chaplaincy
December 12, 2022
The Community Service Chaplain (CSC) arm of the COG Chaplains Commission offers training courses designed to equip, empower, and entrust passionate volunteers to serve in their own community...
Upcoming Course Announcement: June 2022 Intensive
May 11, 2022
The Community Service Chaplain (CSC) arm of the COG Chaplains Commission offers training courses designed to equip, empower, and entrust passionate volunteers to serve in their own community...
Chaplain Gloria Bun Selected for Promotion to Colonel
February 17, 2022
The Church of God’s first woman to serve as a Military Chaplain is selected for promotion to the rank of Colonel. Chaplain Gloria Bun has served as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain for the past 21 years, having held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for the past four years...
Chaplain Ismael Ponce Receives Award
February 15, 2022
The Senate of Puerto Rico recognized Chaplain Ismael Ponce with a special award for his many years of service in the State Police Chaplain Program. Chaplain Ponce received the award at a Puerto Rico State Police Encounter of Police Chaplains...
Chaplain Pettitt Honors Fallen Chaplain
July 16, 2022
Church of God retired U.S. Army Chaplain Raymond Pettitt was a featured speaker at the renaming ceremony of the USPS Briargate Post Office in honor of U.S. Army Chaplain (Captain) Dale Goetz that took place on July 23, 2021...
Chaplain Betancourt Receives Award
July 16, 2021
Church of God Chaplain Angelo Betancourt is the recipient of the 2021 Clinical Excellence lnterprofessional-lndividual Award for the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest, Fort Worth, Texas. The award is given for excellence from across multiple professional disciplines within his hospital...
Wishing You a Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2020
The Chaplains Commission wishes you a very Merry Christmas! Christ’s miraculous birth has brought us hope and peace that is everlasting. Today we can celebrate because of God's perfect gift, given for all people, through all times...
Chaplain Steve Cantrell Awarded Order of Martin of Tours
Decemeber 21, 2020
This year, Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Cantrell of the Army Futures Command, Futures and Concepts Center, was awarded the Order of Martin of Tours by Chaplain (Brigadier General) Bill Green on behalf of the Chief of Chaplains...
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 26, 2020
Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! However you're celebrating this year, we hope that this holiday is a time of rest and reflection on the Lord's blessings. He gives abundantly so that we may in turn share with others...
Chaplain Dawn Ashley Joins COG Navy Chaplains
October 9, 2020
Chaplain Dawn Ashley becomes the first woman to represent the Church of God as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. She joins the ranks with other ordained women serving in the U.S. Army and Air Force as military Chaplains. When God gives you a dream...
First All-Virtual CSC Class
July 24, 2020
Over the last few weeks, thirty-three students from around the US and Canada successfully completed Level 1 and Level 2 Community Service Chaplaincy training. Our annual summer session was unique this year...
Creativity Connects Hospital Staff
May 9, 2020
Hospital Chaplain Michelle Alvarez is making the most of her creativity to serve the staff of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. At this Trauma Level 2 Center, she and her team designed ways to encourage...
A Hospital Chaplain’s Essential Role
April 22, 2020
While many of us around the world are being urged to stay at home, our hospital staffs still commute every day to care for the sick. It is during times of crisis that their selflessness comes into focus, and the Chaplain’s role becomes even...
Chaplaincy in Juvenile Detention Centers
March 4, 2020
If you’ve worked with young people, you understand how simultaneously challenging and rewarding this field can be. Chaplain Michael Maddox has worked with juvenile detention centers for 45 years...
Empowering Chaplains in Ireland
January 7, 2019
From the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, to an ocean away in Ireland, this has been a great year for International Chaplaincy. With Chaplain Carcu, minister of the Betel, Romanian Church of God, Drs. Richard and Brenda Pace taught a class...
Dr. Pace Receives St. Martin of Tours Award
December 6, 2019
Our Director, Dr. Richard Pace, was awarded the St. Martin of Tours Chaplaincy Award, which honors Chaplains for exemplary service. The word “Chaplain” is considered to have originated with St. Martin...
Supporting a Community in Crisis
October 23, 2019
Chaplains on the scene of the Dayton shooting were some of the first on the scene after waves of violence and shock rippled through the country with the news of mass shootings. On August 3rd, 22 people were killed in...
48 Pastors Receive Training in Trinidad
September 25, 2019
This summer, forty-eight credentialed Church of God ministers gathered in Trinidad for Community Service Chaplaincy training. These ministers, hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Antigua, devoted three days...
Full-time Cop, Pastor, and Chaplain: Jonathan Parker’s Story
September 19, 2019
In their daily routines, our police witness atrocities many of us can’t imagine. While these officers are both physically and mentally strong, these experiences can still take a toll on their well-being.
Chaplains in Disaster Relief Teams
September 9, 2019
Hurricane Dorian has left a wake of destruction and loss in its path, impacting the livelihoods of entire communities. In natural disasters around the world, the Church of God and partner teams have been...
When Volunteering Becomes a Career
September 6, 2019
Community Service Chaplain Dean Strong has never shied away from taking initiative, especially when it may improve the lives of others. An early supporter of mental health care...
Chaplaincy Flourishes in Grenada
August 6. 2019
The beaches of Grenada might sound like a relaxing getaway, but the islands aren’t just a destination for vacationers. Residents seek to make long-term impact in their community, and...
Connect, Learn, and Grow with Military Spouses
April 18, 2019
No one understands the challenges of being a military spouse better than other military spouses, which is why Claire Wood, wife of Army Chaplain Ryan Wood, set out to a create...
Synchronous Web Training: Uniting Students and Chaplains Around the World
December 6, 2018
Distance is no obstacle for students who take synchronous CSC Training Courses. The course offers a unique opportunity to take part...
Indivisible Devotions Released for Chaplains and Families
Nov. 29, 2018
Indivisible, a movie based on the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his family, was released earlier this year, has been described as “one of the most moving and powerful films” on Military Chaplaincy...
Continuing Care: Retirement Community
November 15, 2018
Faith-based retirement communities provide seniors with personalized care encompassing not only basic needs, but relational and spiritual needs as well. These communities offer service on a...
Chaplain Promoted as She Answers the Call to Hospital Chaplaincy
October 25, 2018
Chaplain Kimberly Belcher’s first extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, TN was responsible for derailing her path to “traditional” ministry...
New Zealand's COG Chaplain Continues Serving Through Retirement
October 16, 2018
Chaplaincy in New Zealand would not be the same without Chaplain Ray Bloomfield. Over the last 26 years he became the first Pentecostal Chaplain in all of Australasia...
Chaplaincy and Mental Health
October 10, 2018
October is World Mental Health Day, a topic that is gaining awareness in society and is relevant to all Chaplains, as 1 in 5 people experience mental illness each year. Chaplain John Corcoran shares how Chaplains can help to end stigmas and support the struggling:
Celebrating 30 Years of Chaplaincy
September 25, 2018
This year marks the thirtieth year of Chaplain Joe Schuck’s service as both a Community Service and Vocational Chaplain, and though he may be retiring officially, he has no plans to stop serving.
NAVAC President’s Award
May 17, 2018
Chaplain Thomas Mills has spent most of his life working with Veterans, and on April 25th, 2018, he was awarded The National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC) President’s award. NAVAC serves Chaplains...
VA Chaplain Named Employee of the Year
May 10, 2018
Clinical Chaplain Carter Check has been awarded Federal Employee of the Year for his Outstanding Community Service by the Oklahoma Federal Executive Board. He serves the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System by conducting Spiritual Care for Veterans alongside their Behavioral...
Chaplaincy in the Aloha State
April 23, 2018
When you picture life in Hawaii, you may envision constant relaxation in a land of paradise. However, Chaplains in Hawaii aren’t on a permanent vacation. Chaplains (LTC) Everett Franklin, (CDR) Brian Jacobson and (MAJ) Jeff Bartels are a part of one of the largest hubs of military action, in a state with a culture all its own.
Supporting a Community in Crisis
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Synchronous Web Training: Uniting Students and Chaplains Around the World
Dec. 6, 2018
Distance is no obstacle for students who take synchronous CSC Training Courses. The January course hosted by the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and the Church of God Chaplains Commission offers a unique opportunity to take part in the class from home and interact with students and presenters while thousands of miles...
Continuing Care: Retirement Community Chaplaincy
Nov. 15, 2018
Faith-based retirement communities provide seniors with personalized care encompassing not only basic needs, but relational and spiritual needs as well. These communities offer service on a continuum from independent and assisted living facilities, to nursing care and memory support, and while many know of the opportunity to volunteer in these communities, fewer know of opportunities for Chaplaincy.
Indivisible Devotions Released for Chaplains and Families
Nov. 29, 2018
Indivisible , a movie based on the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his family, was released earlier this year, has been described as “one of the most moving and powerful films” on Military Chaplaincy. This film depicts a realistic portrayal of military life and the strains that it can place on marriages and families...
Chaplain Promoted as She Answers the Call to Hospital Chaplaincy
Oct. 25, 2018
Chaplain Kimberly Belcher’s first extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, TN was responsible for derailing her path to “traditional” ministry. There, she was introduced to service that was entirely outside of the church, yet fundamentally focused on furthering her mission of caring for those in need.
New Zealand's COG Chaplain Continues Serving Through Retirement
Oct. 18, 2018
Chaplaincy in New Zealand would not be the same without Chaplain Ray Bloomfield. Over the last 26 years he became the first Pentecostal Chaplain in all of Australasia, served for 16 years on the executive...
Where will Chaplaincytake you?
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CONTACT US
Church of God Chaplains Commission
900 Walker Street NE
Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: (423) 478-7740
Fax:(423) 478-7954
Email: chapcm@cogchaplains. org