Chaplain, Captain John Kwon, an ordained minister in the Korean Conference under the leadership of Bishop John Kim, has the unique distinction to be a member of the first Chaplain Basic Course to graduate from the new Air Force Chaplain Corps College at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC.
John is a 1997 graduate of Southwestern Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies, and he is a 2007 graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary with the Master of Divinity degree. He is currently an Air Force Reserve chaplain attached to McGuire AFB, NJ, for training and ministry.
BCC 10A is the class number given to the first class graduating from the new USAF Chaplain Corps College located at Fort Jackson. This particular graduating class was part of a special piece of history because they were the very first class consisting of 28 Air Force Chaplains to graduate at Fort Jackson. This is a brand new facility and it is the first time that the Air Force, the Navy, and the Army Chaplains' Schools are all located at the same place. The Navy and Air Force Chaplains' Schools are in fact in the same building while the Army Chaplains' School is right next to these new facilities.
Chaplain Kwon's graduating class of 28 Chaplains and around 26 Chaplain Assistants participated in hosting all the guests, Generals, Chief of Chaplains from all three branches, all the leading Colonels in the Chaplain Corps as well as the Endorsers from all the various denominations and religious backgrounds, including Chaplain Hugh Morgan, the ecclesiastical endorser for the IPHC. Most chaplains were responsible for ushering as well as standing as tour guides in the new facility at various locations throughout the building. Chaplain Kwon was responsible for escorting the Deputy Commander for the Air Force Reserve Personnel Center, Colonel Bill Willis, through a tour of the facility and then to mentoring lunch with 12 Reserve Chaplains in his class. They were privileged to have a Q & A time with Colonel Willis at the Officer Club in Fort Jackson that was most enlightening and helpful.
Chaplain Kwon is an associate pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church in Wayne, NJ. He was seconded by his Bishop John Kim to serve in this church under a Spirit-filled Methodist pastor whom Bishop John Kim mentored. John is getting full-time pastoral leadership experience to qualify him for active duty in the Air Force. It's really tough to get on active duty these days in the Air Force.
Finishing this 6 week course has prepared Chaplain Kwon to be ready for active duty when the door of opportunity opens for him, as well as a better chaplain in the reserve.
Posted on
Thu, May 27, 2010
by Hugh Morgan