Chaplains

Free Methodist Church-USA chaplains (126 in 32 states and four countries) are called to serve Christ the King and the church in “places and situations” (Matthew 25:31-46), to love God supremely and our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) and to be disciples who makes disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Your prayers for your chaplains are greatly appreciated. To receive the Free Methodist Chaplains Association’s monthly newsletter, email Rex Carpenter to be placed on the list. For information on becoming a chaplain endorsed by the Free Methodist Church-USA, Carpenter is the agent who can guide you through that process.

June 16, 2010

Chaplain Jon Wright started ministry with the VA in 2002. Last year he was appointed chief of chaplains (four full-time and three part-time) at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center. There are 200-230 patients at the main hospital plus five outpatient clinics. The chaplains meet with every new patient within two days of their arrival. Thanks, Jon, for your faithful service!

June 2, 2010

John Hoyt is a retired Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force Chaplain, but he and his wife, Connie, are not retired from givingand always have a smile or an encouraging word or note to share. They are part of the South Atlantic Conference. They also served for four years in Paraguay on a VISA assignment.

May 19, 2010

Chaplain James Ferguson is the only chaplain at the Texas State School in Brenham for people with developmental disabilities. The facility covers 200 acres and 400 residences and has a staff of 1,000. Jim is in his 22nd year of ministry in this unique venue. He pastored for 10 years in Oklahoma after earning his M.Div. at Asbury Seminary. Some of his Army service included time at the White House Command.

May 5, 2010

Chaplain Emitte Belgard is serving his 10th year at Central Louisiana State Mental Hospital, with a “parish” of 200 patients. He leads spiritual awareness groups in units, serves on treatment teams, plans and preaches Sunday worship, and even plays the mandolin. Chaplain Belgard is a member of the Gulf Coast Conference and has pastored FM churches for 41 years.

April 21, 2010

Chaplain Philip Cartrette serves in the Mississippi State Hospital. With about 2100 patients, many of whom have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and chemical addiction, it is the largest of its type in the U.S. Nine out of 10 patients have problems with both meth and crack. Chaplain Cartrette handles difficult situations in group counseling sessions with gentleness and confidence. His loving spirit is known to staff as well as patients.

April 7, 2010

Bob Barnard (Wilmore, KY) was Chaplain Endorsing Agent from 2000-2007. Under his leadership the number of endorsed chaplains grew significantly. He recently earned a Ph.D. from The Oxford Center For Mission Studies and The Open University (Milton Keyes, England). Dr. Barnard is now Chaplain Barnard, serving the horse racing community in KY as our first endorsed chaplain with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America! He adds this experience to seven years of Army chaplaincy service around the world. Thank you, Chaplain Barnard!

March 24, 2010

Diane Munoz ministers at Hospice of the Blue Grass, one of the largest hospice organizations in the nation. With 45 chaplains, each having 35-38 patients, the chaplain, social worker, and nurse work as an interdisciplinary team. In this model, the chaplains are more engaged with the patient’s total care and the range of skills required is more demanding. Diane counts it a privilege to be with people and their families during this final chapter of life. Diane is a graduate of Penn State and Asbury Seminary.

March 10, 2010

Chaplain John Lefler has pastored Melody Hill FMC in the Wabash Conf. for 17 years. He volunteers as a chaplain for the Evansville Fire Department and as an Indiana State Police Chaplain. With 14 fire stations, Evansville has the second largest department in the state. The Dept. has repeatedly honored John, and he is a certified firefighter. John and his wife, Sandy, give God praise for the many recent salvations and healings in their church. Please pray with them for continued health and ministry after retirement.

February 24, 2010

Deanna Robinson is an Air Force Chaplain Candidate. She completed Commissioning Officer Training at Maxwell AFB in September. Deanna is passionate about letting the military know that their sacrifice for freedom is shown even more in Christ’s sacrifice for us. She is currently in seminary and is a Conf. Ministerial Candidate in Southern CA.

February 10, 2010

Erwin Ray, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), resides in assisted living in Chandler, AZ, near his wife, Dorothy. He was a WWII pilot who completed undergrad at Greenville College (IL) after the war. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1949.While pastoring for two years in Michigan, he was recommissioned as an Air Force chaplain and called back to active duty in 1951. Over the years he was honored for his outstanding work; his joyful spirit no doubt brought hope to countless airmen and families. Praise God for Erwin and Dorothy’s long and fruitful lives. Please pray for their health and ongoing community ministry.

January 13, 2010

Tim Fry is the only FM chaplain in Missouri, where he serves at the US Medical Center for Federal Prisoners. He is excited about serving such a challenging group of prisoners and staff. His ministries include group sessions, counseling, worship in multiple formats, Angel Tree and Prison Fellowship. Tim is an elder in the Gateway Conference. He and his wife, Faith, have three children. Tim praises God for a good job that matches his ministry skills. He asks for prayer for inmates to have victory over addictions.

December 30, 2009

Retired Chaplain Myron Henry had a career of service for nearly 40 years, more than 20 of them as a Navy chaplain (eight of these with the Marines). His second “tour” was 14 years with the Oregon Correctional System in Salem. Myron and his wife, Ruby, a nurse, met at Greenville College. Both earned higher degrees later in life. They have five grown children and are thoroughly enjoying retirement living. Let’s be sure to take joy in and pray for our retired FM chaplains and ministers in 2010!

December 16, 2009

Kim Martin is ordained in East Michigan Conf. and endorsed as a Civil Air Patrol chaplain. He and his wife Rhonda recently moved to Wichita, KS, where he has new ministry opportunities with the police and in the medical field. Kim gives praise for healing from MS, proximity to family and a new job for Rhonda. He asks prayer for guidance and the opening of new ministries, including police chaplaincy. His desire is to see kingdom growth in the Wichita churches and community.

December 2, 2009

Hospice Chaplain Jeremy Smith serves full time at Copper Lake Retirement Services, a FM facility. He grew up in the Yorkshire (NY) FMC and served in the Air Force for four years as mechanic. He averages 120 miles per day visiting/ ministering to grieving families and patients. He and his wife, Erin, have two sons. Please pray for this ministry to increase God’s kingdom.

November 18, 2009

Chaplain Cheri Coleman of the Southern CA Conf. serves full time at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, CA. She uses her master’s degree in Intercultural Studies and her M.Div. in chaplaincy to great benefit in this progressive hospital. Cheri is part of the praise team at Cucamonga Christian Fellowship, where she and her husband, Dan, met and recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. They have five children and one grandchild. Cheri gives praise for former chaplaincy students that are now bearing fruit overseas. Please pray for her ministry and for Dan’s health.

November 4, 2009

Chaplain David Thompson has a state-wide ministry in Minnesota to deployed soldiers and families. He has created Care Plans that guide churches through assisting wounded warriors. Dave completed a full career as a Navy Chaplain. He has extensive training in trauma/stress and grief recovery and has influenced thousands of soldiers and family members via counseling and coping briefings. Dave and his wife Judy have three grown sons. He requests prayer for the Care Plans, that they will be a vital and active ministry for churches.

October 21, 2009

Jerri Walford is an institutional chaplain serving part time at the Polk Center, a facility for the developmentally challenged in Polk, PA. She provides midweek services, visitation and counseling for the staff and residents. Jerri and her husband Frank both pastor in the Keystone Conference and have two daughters. She gives God praise for the joy of being wife, mother, pastor and chaplain. Please pray for the strength she needs to do all these ministries well.

October 6, 2009

Howard Lehman met Jesus at age 17 and has been a Christian and Free Methodist ever since. He was ordained and became endorsed as a Mid-America Conference chaplain in 2005. He is an enthusiastic full-time servant of Christ, part-time chaplain, recruiter and motorcycle rider. He and his wife, Ruth, have two grown sons. He requests prayer for health, grace and strength to be the husband/person/chaplain the Lord wants him to be.

September 9, 2009

Prisons Pastor Helen Crain is a lifelong Oklahoma farmer who lives east of OK City and is assigned by the Mid-America Conf. to a preaching point at McCalister Prison and Shawnee Jail. She visits, encourages, prays with and writes to 60 of Jesus’ “least of these” — in and out of jail! Crain praises God for two new knees and for her husband’s recent news of being cancer free again! Please pray with her for continuing good health to live and serve.

August 26, 2009

Chaplain Paul Schantz serves full- time at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA. Paul leads rotations of worship services, group sessions, classes, and visits 300 residents in life support, rehab, physical therapy, spinal cord trauma and other units. Paul credits God’s grace for changing his life. His staff colleagues say Paul is “the best thing since sliced bread!” His wife Janice is a high school music teacher. Chaplain Schantz gives praise for the wideness of God’s grace. Please pray with him for effective ministry that brings change, healing and wholeness in Vets’ lives.

August 12, 2009

Chaplain Chris Mogenson serves full-time at Broome County Jail. He coordinates the services of two part-time chaplains and 100 volunteers, providing chapels and Bible studies to 150 jail officers and as many as 500 residents. An experienced substance abuse counselor, Chris leads classes in spiritual formation and anger management. He and his wife, Cheryl, praise God for their three children — one autistic and one with Muscular Dystrophy. Please pray that God continues to uniquely meet the needs of each family member.

July 29, 2009

Army Chaplain Major Bart Herndon of the Mid-America Conference has moved, along with wife Amy and son Ethan, to Fort Stewart, GA, where he is serving as the First Brigade Chaplain within the third infantry division. Please pray for their transition and ministry in Georgia and for their college-bound son, Dallas.

July 15, 2009

Chaplain Fletch Simpson serves in the North Central Conference. From his post at Horizon Home Care and Hospice in Brown Deer, WI, Fletch provides spiritual care to hospice families all over southeastern WI. Before joining the chaplaincy, he served 36 years in Free Methodist camping ministries. Chaplain Fletch praises God for His enabling grace in 36 memorial services in one year. He asks prayer for wisdom in how to present the love and truth of Christ to co-workers.

July 1, 2009

Army Chaplain Kurt Spond of the New South Conference will be deploying soon to Afghanistan. He is assigned at Fort Bragg, and has previously served in Kuwait and Iraq. Chaplain Spond says, “I love my Jesus. I love my job!”

June 17, 2009

Chaplain Dwight Sweezy is an academy-certified Master Chaplain (Level 3). As Director of Pastoral Services at Trenton (NJ) Psychiatric Hospital, he serves the spiritual needs of patients, staff and students with enthusiasm. He has a private counseling practice for clergy and directs training programs for chaplains and chaplain interns in collaboration with Princeton Seminary. Chaplain Sweezy gives praise to God for a Wellness and Recovery program, administrative support and great students. Please pray for mental patients struggling to know God.

June 3, 2009

Hospital Chaplain Megan Hoose was recently ordained in the Genesis Conference and is working toward full endorsement as a Free Methodist chaplain. She has served several years in Rochester, NY, hospitals, earning numerous C.P.E. units. She praises God for her husband, Rob, and their happy son, Jessup. Please pray for her future ministry and for patients facing grief with little or no support.

May 20, 2009

Pastor Jim Souza of the New York Conference will become Army Chaplain Captain Souza on May 31, 2009, at Fort Jackson, SC, for three months and then be assigned at Fort Hood, TX. Praise God for a good transition for his church and family. Please pray for Jim and Keri’s four children during transition.

May 6, 2009

Retired Chaplain Roscoe Bell has served as a Lt. Col. With the US Air Force and as Superintendent of Columbia River Conference. He currently stays active with telephone, seniors, ministerial association, church, and Kiwanis ministries in Chewelah, WA.

April 22, 2009

Retired but active Chaplain Bill Lowery, Sr., has three ministries in the Genesis Conference: Wyoming County Jail, Warsaw Hospital and Pastor of Congregational Care at Valley Chapel FMC in Warsaw, NY. Lead on, Chaplain Bill!

April 9, 2009

Hospital/Hospice Chaplain Daleasha Hall recently landed an Outstanding Performance Award in chaplain pastoral care! In 2008 she served in two Eugene, OR, medical facilities but was recently promoted to lead hospice chaplain and will focus her ministry there. She also leads worship at Living Hope FMC and serves on two Oregon conference boards. Daleasha and her husband, Gene, welcomed baby Silas into their family in December 2008. Congratulations!

March 11, 2009

Chaplain Wes Dodge has been Chaplain at Warm Beach Senior Community for 7 years. He provides worship services and pastoral care for 370 residents in addition to the 80-bed health care facility. Wes also served in the Air Force for 3 years during the Korean War. He and his wife pastored FM churches in the Oregon Conference for most of their ministry career. Chaplain Dodge praises God for the support of this community. He asks prayer for the wisdom and energy to continue to serve.

February 25, 2009

Chaplain Kerby Bertholf has served in the Columbia River and Pacific Northwest conferences as church planter and pastor. In 2006 he completed a career in the Army Reserve Chaplaincy, retiring in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Kirby and his wife Shirley are both graduates of SPU and Asbury Seminary, and Shirley is also an Elder in PNW. They are in sabbatical from full time ministries this year. The Bertholfs praise God for 35 years of fruitful ministry. They request prayer for their theophostic prayer ministry and for financial needs to be met.

February 11, 2009

Paul Lattimer is a full-time institutional chaplain at Park Pointe Village in Rock Hill, SC. Chaplain Lattimer provides worship services, Bible studies and pastoral care for the Park Pointe Village staff and the 210 senior residents, including 100 independent living dwellings, 20 assisted-living residents and 40 skilled-nursing residents. His wife, Neva, is a resident nurse at the Village. He gives God praise for a very viable senior center community and dynamic plans for expansion. Paul and Neva request prayer for good health and discernment, and for the strength to serve well in a community constantly dealing with struggling health issues and death.

January 28, 2009

Burton Kincaid is an experienced pastor and a part-time chaplain for the Michigan State Police posts at Owosso, Bad Axe and the State Police School. For several years he served as senior pastor to the Owosso FMC, and his son Mark was the associate pastor, but in more recent times their roles and ministry are reversed. They make a great team, also ministering to Harley and other motorcycle riders. Their joy is leading people to Christ, several of whom have joined their local church. Chaplain Kincaid praises God for his family and a strong church that reaches out. He requests prayer for the church and family to grow in fruitful ministries for Christ.

January 14, 2009

Chaplain Debra Reitz serves at the State Correctional Institution in Muncy, PA. She directs 11 chaplains, covering all major faith groups at this women’s correctional facility which houses 1400 residents. Reitz has created a multidimensional ministry, including programs for growth/ accountability, battered women, satellite evangelical training, a library, Bible studies and worship services. Debra and her husband, Tom, have three children and twin grandsons. She praises God for “assurance that I’m serving where God wants me to be,” and requests prayer for His wisdom in setting limits.

November 5, 2008

Captain Mark Williams is a chaplain at Fairchild AFB. Prior to joining the Air Force, he served at Cornerstone FMC in St. Petersburg, FL. Chaplain Williams’ high point of ministry in Iraq was leading airmen to Christ and baptizing two on Christmas Day! He praises God for His presence and peace when in harm’s way — that the bullets and bombs in Iraq missed! Chaplain Williams asks prayer for his wife, Monica, and for  good Christian friends who will be role models for their children. He also hopes for increasing connections with the FM churches!

October 22, 2008

Mary Laverne Jackson has served as full- and part-time chaplain for nine years at Providence Hospital in Detroit, a 400-bed Catholic hospital (Sisters of St. John, Daughters of Charity) with 24/7 pastoral care. Staff members say, “the light of the Lord shines through Chaplain Mary.” Besides ministering to staff and patients, Chaplain Jackson also coordinates the services of 28 volunteers and eucharistic ministers. Soon she will expand her ministry through Metropolitan UMC’s outreach service to the inner city. Chaplain Jackson praises God for His faithfulness and for supportive colleagues. She asks prayer for southeastern Michigan as it struggles economically — that laid-off personnel will find new jobs.

October 8, 2008

Lieutenant Colonel Vic Toney has been deployed to the Middle East several times. In his 20 years of service, he has earned a reputation of being an outstanding chaplain and leader. He is currently assigned as Deputy Command Chaplain, Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, where he will encourage and inspect chapel teams and programs throughout AFM Command. Chaplain Toney praises God for the opportunity to do the ministry he loves, and for health and a happy family. He asks prayer for peace in the Middle East and for divine guidance through the years ahead — in the AF and beyond.

September 24, 2008

Tom Holman is a full-time chaplain at the Taylor Corrections Facility in northern Florida. He initiated a ministry in which residents can sign a radio out from the prison library. The radio has only one station, but that station is a good one with Christian programming. Besides his pastoral care to staff and residents, Chaplain Tom directs “New Beginnings” Bible studies, some of which are taught by peer facilitators. His wife, Barbara, has a “Bright Days” ministry with Kids, Inc., and serves the needs of children from 6 weeks to 18 months old. She and Tom have three grown sons. The Holmans praise God for Providential protection and healing. They ask your prayers for improved health and for fruitful ministry to the needful inmates.

September 10, 2008

John Hubbs is an AD Army chaplain posted at Ft. Hood, TX. He is currently preparing to be deployed for 12 months. Chaplain Hubbs, his wife Melody and their three children have served Air Force ministries at Goodfellow AFB (TX), McConnell AFB (KS), Osan AB (Korea) and Brooks AFB (TX). John is a Meritorious Service Medal recipient, has a heart for ministry, and as you can see from his picture he is very fit for the rigors of duty and ministry in the Army. Chaplain Hubbs gives thanks to God for His faithfulness and for great family support. He asks prayer for his family in this time of transition and separation and for doors to open in the Army for fruitful ministry.

August 27, 2008

Air Force Chaplain Charles Mallory and his wife, Jennifer, are at Bolling AFB, (Washington, D.C.) serving their second assignment. Charles’ roots are in Sioux Falls, SD, in the North Central Conference. His is pastor to 1100 attendees of the general protestant service at Bolling Chapel and provides pastoral care for Bolling units and some Pentagon and Arlington units. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal in his recent assignment at Andrews AFB (MD). Jennifer gave birth to a daughter on August 24, 2007, and home-schools their two sons. The Mallorys praise God for directing their lives and assignments and for their children. They ask prayer for adapting to the ever-changing environment of chaplaincy ministry, and for God’s choice of a new (and hopefully family-friendly!) assignment where Charles can grow as a chaplain.

August 13, 2008

Don Deighton is a full-time hospital chaplain at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, OH — a level 1 trauma hospital in the inner city. Don works the night shift and ministers often in the ER and at the heart center. He is a certified palliative care resource person. St. Vincent is Toledo’s first hospital. It has 550 beds and 8 full-time chaplains. Don is enthusiastic about his ministry to people in great need. He and his wife, Jamie, praise God for salvations and for the health and protection of their family. They ask prayer for Don to grow as a chaplain and for wisdom as parents.

July 30, 2008

Richard Winchester is an active duty Army chaplain serving at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Ft. Gordon, GA. Rick is a chaplain clinician, visiting in surgical recovery and oncology wards, as well as the SMART (Special Mobile Augmentation Response) Team. He is also the resource manager for the department of pastoral care for the Southeast Region of Medical Command. He actually enjoys doing early morning PT with a “ruck sack” on his back. Chaplain Winchester praises God for excellent health and the opportunity to serve the kingdom and the country. He asks prayer for rotator cup healing for his wife, Lesa, and for providential direction and completion of his D.Min. project thesis.

July 16, 2008

Linda Vecchiarelli is a full-time chaplain to 900 residents at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, where she has served for several years without cost to the state. (Support contributions can be given via the Rocky Mt. Conference office.) She is enthusiastic about her connections with Living Tower FMC and their ongoing ministry partnership. Since 2005, church members have regularly gone on visitation with Linda to encourage the women and offer support and fellowship when they are released. Chaplain Vecchiarelli praises God for His many answers to prayer; she requests prayer for personal renewal and rest.

July 2, 2008

Tim Porter is the senior protestant chaplain at Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta, GA, where worship has grown significantly under his leadership. His wife, Pat, is his partner in ministry. Both are ordained elders and members of the Oregon Conference. Pat is an avid supporter of International Child Care Ministries and has recruited 120 new child sponsors! Tim has orders this summer to move to an air base in Korea, where Pat was born. The Porters praise God for a strong marriage and His providence in their ministry. Please pray for the spiritual growth of their extended family and the physical health of their parents.

June 18, 2008

Although Chaplain Col. Larry Racster retired in August 2004 after 32 years in the Army chaplaincy, he continues to minister and serve as the civilian Operations, Mobilization and Deployment Officer for the Army Chief of Chaplains Office in the Pentagon. He supports soldiers in the war zone by ensuring there are sufficient numbers of chaplains for religious support in the austere environments of the Global War on Terrorism. Chaplain Racster praises God for the joy of continued service in His vineyard. He asks prayer for his family, especially for daughter Captain Abby Racster, who is currently active duty in the military.

June 4, 2008

Chaplain Ben Belcher has served for 26 years as the sole full-time chaplain at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, WA, and (more recently) at a second facility in Silverdale, WA. He is the director of spiritual care for patients, clients and staff. He also recruits, trains and supervises more than a dozen volunteer chaplains. Chaplain Belcher praises God for strong support from the hospital staff, and asks prayer for trained clergy to be available for “on call” relief and for the spiritual growth of his family.

May 21, 2008

Deployed Air Force Chaplain Captain Don Bridges takes a small group from his compound to the theater hospital each Saturday to visit patients and deliver care packages. Many of the patients are injured Iraqi civilians caught in the cross fire of this war.

CH Bridges says, “This photo is with a father and son we had been visiting for several weeks. Sadly the son had part of one leg amputated, but the father was always very gracious and welcomed our visits with deep gratitude. There is so much great suffering here. I pray for peace.

“Please continue to keep me and my family in prayer, and especially the brave men and women who go into harm’s way each day. Most of all, pray for peace and reconciliation.”

May 7, 2008

Chaplain Dan Hummer of the South Atlantic Conference serves on the staff of Clearwater-Largo (FL) FMC as well as his full-time ministry at the Veteran’s Hospital. His initiatives in making the Cancer Support Group and monthly “Celebration of Life” happen are among the ministries resulting in his 2007 outstanding performance aware from the VA rater! Hummer is vice president of the FM Chaplains Association.

Dec 20, 2007

This chaplain’s feature has been removed due to an assignment of a sensitive nature. Thanks for your care and prayer support of all our FM chaplains!

Fall 2007

Ft. Campbell, Kentucky Sam Cabrera is brigade chaplain for the headquarters brigade of the highly acclaimed 101st Airborne Division. Sam recently completed a tour in Korea and will be helping his brigade prepare and deploy to Afghanistan next year. He praises God for his family — wife Laura and children Sam, Nicole, Aaron and Anna — strong church support, and a great job as lead chaplain (with a team of six other chaplains) for 4,000 troops.