Hugh's News & Commentary

As I write this email I am acutely aware of the thorny issues that confront our Nation. Oil continues to gush in catastrophic waves in the Gulf of Mexico. Arizona has been called by some a rogue state. The Senate Armed Forces Committee will vote on whether to repeal the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Law." This last issue directly affects our military chaplains and I know that it is keenly on their minds. Some have told me that if practicing homosexuals are allowed to join the military that they will resign their commission. Certainly there may be times when it is a must that resignation of a commission is called for, but not now.

A shepherd does not desert his/her sheep when the wolves attack. Yes, it is tough, but the Scriptures do clearly point out that we are engaged in a battle for the souls and minds of men and women and this is just part of that eternal war. And each one of us must stay in the fight.

I have had the privilege over the past few years of singing in a southern Gospel quartet. One of our latest songs is an old composition entitled, “His Grace is Sufficient for Me.” The second stanza has meant a
great deal to me as I wrestle with worry over some of the issues stated above:

"When the Temptor brings confusion, and I don’t know what to do,
On my knees I turn to Jesus, for He’ll always see me through.
Then despair is changed to victory, every doubt just melts away,
And in Him there is hope for every day."

Those, my friends, are ageless words of hope to reaffirm each and every day. Times are tough, but the promise of Jesus still stands the test of time: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV).

from the Executive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission

Chaplain (Colonel) Paul Vicalvi, US Army, Retired

[Editor's Note: I am personally acquainted with and work with Paul Vicalvi. He has been our executive director of the National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission now for several years. Prior to taking this challenging assignment he was the Commandant of the Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, SC. He is the leader we have desperately needed for times such as these. His heart is right, and his intellect is thoughtful and balanced.. He is a man of prayer and the Bible. We need your prayers in days like these that we will stand tall as changes seem to be inevitable. It is my pleasure to serve on his executive committee as the Vice Chairman. My good friend, Chaplain (Colonel) John Schumacher, US Army, Retired, is our chairman. He and I were in the Chaplains Officers Basic Course for Army Chaplains in the summer of 1962 at Fort Slocum, NY, on David's Island, a 30-minute ferry ride from New Rochelle, NY.  The late Raymond Caulder was in that class as well. Raymond made full colonel and served as our endorser and director of Chaplains Ministries for three years. Chaplain (Colonel) Freeman Mashburn, US Army, Retired succeeded Raymond.]