November 27, 2007

There are very few things that honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope. Gratitude encourages graciousness.

Here is the story of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus for His burial. What a sweet fragrance if offered.

John 12:2-3, "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (NIV ).

A fast breaking news story from Franklin Springs, GA

Announcing the Elvis & Friends Christmas Concert

Adults -- $15.00
Under 12 -- $5.00

It is a Benefit performance for the David Livingstone Orphans of Ukraine.

Dr. Don Brady is the producer and an outstanding impersonator of Elvis Presley including singing just like him.

      & Commentary

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In January 2008, we will celebrate 10 years of communicating the news and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ across these United States, Canada, Central and South America, as well as around the world. God has raised up this electronic news service for His glory, and it is one of a myriad of instruments that He is using in these last days to spread the evangelical and pentecostal message to a world that needs Jesus Christ.

Hugh Morgan believes God has brought this newsletter into being by a divine act of His incredible grace and provision. We confess Jesus as Lord and that He is God, and the Savior of all men, women, boys and girls who will confess Him as Lord and Savior, and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead, they shall be saved (Romans 10:9). Salvation and eternal life can be yours this day. It is a free gift that cannot be deserved or earned. The Bible declares that we are saved by grace through faith:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV ).  

News at a Glance . . .

Lighten up with Laughter

Today's Scripture is written in the Gospel of John 12:7-8

Editor's commentary on the Scripture recorded in John 12:7-8

Why do we need a Military Chaplains Studies Endowment Scholarships at Southwestern Christian University?

Adam Erwin commissioned as a United States Navy Officer/Chaplain Candidate

Southwestern Christian University Announces Formation of Endowed Scholarships for Military Chaplain Candidates

What does a military chaplain do?

Why do the Military Services need chaplains?

What are the educational requirements for a military chaplain?

Does Southwestern Christian University meet all the requirements of chaplains for all branches of service?

After completing a bachelor’s degree, what is the cost of the degree needed to qualify for a chaplain?

What is the purpose of the Dr. Hugh H. Morgan Military Chaplains Endowed Scholarships?

Who is Dr. Hugh H. Morgan?

Who administers the Endowment?

Who selects the recipients for scholarships?

On completion of all required education, who will be their ecclesiastical endorser for the military?

What is the goal for the establishing of this endowed scholarship program?

How you can give to this Endowed Scholarship Fund

Will you receive the Benediction? 

Stand by for Today's News . . . 

Lighten up with Laughter

"Life after Death"

"Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his employees.

"Yes, Sir" the new employee replied. "Well, then, that makes everything just fine," the boss went on.

"After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she stopped in to see you." 

Today's Scripture is written in the Gospel of John 12:7-8

But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always" (NKJV ).

Editor's commentary on the Scripture recorded in John 12:7-8

Bethany was the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Jesus loved this family of three, and during Holy Week, He spent the evenings in their home. There He could relax and rest in an atmosphere of love and hospitality.

The story of Mary kneeling to anoint the feet of Jesus with costly perfume, equivalent to a year's wage, and drying His feet with her hair is one of the most touching stories in the Gospels.

What a demonstration of love and utter abandonment is shown by Mary in this act of worship. Apparently she knew in her heart that Jesus was going to die, and she wanted to do what she could in preparation for His death.

The setting of these scene may well have been in the home of Simon the Leper provided that it is the same occasion recorded in Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9. The sweet fragrance of this extravagant gift, so gratefully poured out on the feet of Jesus, fills the house where they were with far more than a sweet smell aroma. It brought all the warmth and glow of love that a home can offer. We all have felt that love in homes where there is hospitality and acceptance.

However, in the midst of such devotion and worship, Judas reacts with sharp criticism and bitting rebuke. He asks with pseudo self-righteousness by asking why this perfume could not have been sold and the money given to the poor. Although he directs his question to Jesus, he was slapping Mary in the face. Judas really didn't care about the poor. The truth is that he was a thief.

Jesus commends Mary, not because He was insensitive to the needs of the poor, but because she had performed an act of kindness preparing for His death. While Mary is giving her best in preparing for Jesus' death, the greed of Judas is eating him alive and will hasten the moment of His crucifixion.

One of the greatest things we can do as believers is to take our love for Christ and make it into acts of our giving. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Only what we give can be multiplied by God. God does not multiply what we receive. If we give nothing, there is nothing for God to multiply.

A rejected opportunity to give is a lost opportunity to receive!

What do you believe God is wanting you to give? Are you willing to give it all to Him? 

Why do we need a Military Chaplains Studies Endowment Scholarships at Southwestern Christian University?

Paying for a post graduate seminary education in the 21st Century is tough for most young men and women. They have just completed four or five years of college with student loans they will have to repay. The added expenses for seminary can be overwhelming.

More than 98% of our chaplain candidates in various seminaries indicate that having enough scholarship support to complete their degree program is their most important concern.

The young men and women who are applying to become Chaplain Candidates in the Army, Navy, or Air Force have been called of God for this specialized ministry. They have chosen this form of ministry because they are convinced that it is the best use of their spiritual gifts and talents God has given to them, as well as the rewards it brings. Their calling by God is matched by their commitment to excellence. They are willing to meet the educational and denominational requirements prescribed for all chaplains. They are graduates of accredited colleges or universities. Their next step is to enroll in an accredited seminary or graduate school to complete a post-baccalaureate graduate degree in the field of theological or related studies with a minimum of 72 semester hours (108 quarter hours) of graduate work.

The Graduate School at Southwestern Christian University meets the educational requirements of the Department of Defense Instructions 1304.28, the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, and the Chiefs of Chaplains of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

For the first time in the history of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, we have our own graduate program that offers the Master of Ministry degree that is fully recognized.

Adam Erwin commissioned as a United States Navy Officer/Chaplain Candidate

The Rev. Mr. Adam Erwin, a licensed minister of the Georgia Conference and a resident of Dewy Rose, GA, was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserve on Friday, September 21, 2007. The commissioning ceremony took place in front of the Tech Tower on the Atlanta Campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, better known as Georgia Tech.

Upon his commissioning, Adam Erwin became a Chaplain Candidate in the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program in the Navy's Individual Ready Reserve. The Chaplain Candidate Officer Program is designed by the Navy to expose seminary students to the diverse and demanding ministry of the Navy chaplains serving sea service personnel in a variety of settings.

While attending our Graduate School at Southwestern Christian University, Adam will be required to attend the Navy Chaplain Officers Basic Course in Rhode Island during his first summer as an Ensign (equivalent rank to that of a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps). Adam has just been informed that he will be attending this school May 18 - June 20, 2008.

This course includes classroom instruction, introducing new candidates to the Chaplain Corps in a multi-religious environment, followed immediately with a few weeks of on-the-job training. Additional on-the-job training is available following summers/school breaks, providing further exposure to the varied ministries available in the Navy Chaplain Corps.

Erwin's assignments as a Chaplain Candidate will be worked out in a collaboration with all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard commands throughout the world to deliver religious ministry to active duty personnel and their families.

Adam Erwin is currently the associate pastor and youth pastor of Honea Path Pentecostal Holiness Church in Honea Path, SC. At the same time, he is pursuing a Master of Ministry degree in both pastoral ministry and in military chaplaincy at SCU in Bethany, OK.

Erwin is a 2006 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in history, technology, and society. He is a 2002 graduate of Elbert County Comprehensive High School.

His parents are Dr. Stuart and Mrs. Karen Erwin, and he is the grandson of Charles and Juanita Seigler, and Betty Erwin and the late Charles Erwin. His father served as a dentist in the Army with the rank of Captain.

Southwestern Christian University Announces Formation of Endowed Scholarships for Military Chaplain Candidates

Southwestern Christian University recently announced the formation of the Hugh H. Morgan Military Chaplains Studies Endowment Scholarships. This special scholarship is designed to assist full-time IPHC military chaplain candidates seeking the 72-semester hour Master of Ministry degree.

"This is the only scholarship of its kind, designed specifically to educate Pentecostal Holiness chaplains," says Bob Ely, president of SCU.

Six chaplain candidates enrolled in this program for the fall 2007 fall semester.

Hugh H. Morgan was commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Air Force in 1965. After his release from active duty, he remained active in the USAF as a reservist for 16 additional years, retiring in December 1991 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In addition to pastoring and planting new churches in the United States, Morgan has participated in church planting and missions crusades in Romania, Costa Rica, and Ukraine.

He served as president of Southwestern College (now Southwestern Christian University for two years (1975-77).

In 1998, he was appointed to the role of director of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC and endorser for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.

"We named this scholarship in honor of Dr. Hugh H. Morgan and to continue his legacy in educating and training chaplains who will help change the world as they preach Christ to the brightest and best American service men and women in the military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Veterans Affairs," says Ely.

Hugh and his wife, Melvine, live in Winder, Georgia. They have two adult children, Greg and Stephanie, who also are educators.

Contributions to this scholarship fund may be sent to:

What does a military chaplain do?

The mission of our military chaplains is clear—to care for the spiritual well being of military personnel and their families. They are commissioned to provide for the free exercise of religion for all persons, and to offer moral, spiritual, and ethical counsel to military commanders.

Like pastors or priests in civilian parishes, they preach teach, lead Bible studies, celebrate the sacraments or ordinances by water baptism and serving the elements of communion, offer pastoral care and counseling, provide Christian education and discipleship training, perform weddings, dedicate babies and children to the Lord, minister to the sick, bury the dead, and bring comfort to the bereaved. The work and ministry of a military chaplain can best be summed up by saying . . . They are “visible reminders of the Holy."

Why do the Military Services need chaplains?

Chaplains are commissioned officers and are paid by government funds for one reason alone – to ensure the right of all military members to freely exercise their faith.

Since the beginning of our national history, clergy have served with the military. In fact, the Army Chaplaincy traces its beginning back to 1775, a year before the birth of our nation. Most of our citizens (including some of you) assume chaplains will continue to serve. Yet, in the last few decades there have been legal challenges to the constitutionality of military chaplaincies; and, these challenges will persist. We must remain vigilant in defending the presence of chaplains in military uniform, in prisons, hospitals, hospices, and governmental organizations!

The prescribed role of chaplains was best defined in the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “At all times preach the gospel, only when necessary use words.” As long as this is properly understood and performed, chaplain services will continue.

What are the educational requirements for a military chaplain?

First of all, an active duty military chaplain must be an ordained minister in good standing with his/her denomination, and have an ecclesiastical endorsement from the church.

Second, an active duty chaplain must have a bachelor’s degree with no less than 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) from a qualifying educational institution.

Third, the applicant must also posses a post-baccalaureate degree in the filed of theological of related studies from a qualifying institution with a minimum of 72 semester hours(108 quarter hours) of graduate level work. Related studies include graduate courses in pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration, and similar disciplines when one-half of the earned graduate credits include topics in general religion, world religions, the practice of religion, theology, religious philosophy, religious ethics, and/or the foundational writings from the applicant’s religious tradition.

Does Southwestern Christian University meet all the requirements of chaplains for all branches of service?

The answer is yes.

The Executive Director of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, Captain Jonathan Frusti, Captain, US Navy; the Director of Personnel & Ecclesiastical Relations for the Office of the Chief of Army Chaplains, Chaplain (Colonel) Richard L. Pace; the Special Assistant for Communications and Community for the Chief of Navy Chaplains Office, Captain Lorenzo C. York, Chaplain, US Navy; and the Director of
Chaplain Force Development Office for the Chief of Air Force Chaplains, Chaplain, Colonel, Skip Courter, US Air Force, have all reviewed the curriculum and given their blessings on the degree program since it meets the educational requirements of the Department of Defense Instructions 1304.28.

The Director, Personnel & Ecclesiastical Relations for the Office of the Chief of Army Chaplains, Chaplain (Colonel) Richard L. Pace, US Army, and his staff, have evaluated the curriculum of the graduate degree program. In his letter to the Rev. Dr. Hugh H. Morgan, Director, Chaplains Ministries, IPHC, he wrote: “Please accept the thanks of the Army Chief of Chaplains for joining him in pursuing this excellent aspiration of a theologically prepared chaplaincy.  The goal of theological education is to prepare individuals in the right understanding of ‘who they are’ and to give them a firm foundation concerning ‘what they believe’ so that they might represent their religious denomination in the military.”

After completing a bachelor’s degree, what is the cost of the degree needed to qualify for a chaplain?

The applicant must possess a post-baccalaureate graduate degree, namely a Master of Ministries degree or the Master of Divinity degree that has 72 semester hours.

The cost is $27,500. 

What is the purpose of the Dr. Hugh H. Morgan Military Chaplains Endowed Scholarships?

The income earned by the Principal of the endowment will be used solely for scholarships for qualifying applicants enrolled in the University’s Chaplaincy Program.

The University’s standing Scholarship Committee, or any subsequent such committee, may determine recipients of scholarships by conducting an application process to be developed by said committee in consultation with Dr. Hugh H. Morgan.

Full statements of the condition of the Endowment shall be rendered to said donors at least annually during the donor’s life.

The provisions of this Endowment shall be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Oklahoma.

Who is Dr. Hugh H. Morgan?

Hugh H. Morgan Hugh was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 15, 1932.

His father was a bi-vocational pastor/church planter and his mother a missionary to China for nine years before he was born. He has a sister almost 3 years older than he.

Hugh enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953, after one year at Emmanuel College, and was a member of the Marine Band, Quantico, Virginia. After completing his enlistment in 1956, with the rank of Sergeant, he attended Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, graduating in 1960, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

In 1960 the Pentecostal Holiness Church ordained him. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1963, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Holmes Theological Seminary, Greenville, South Carolina in 1975.

He is an ordained minister of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He has served his denomination as a pastor of several prominent churches from Brownville near Evergreen, Alabama to Birmingham, Alabama to Athens, Georgia, and to Richmond, Virginia. He served for eight years as a member of the World Missions Board. He has made missionary trips to Cuba, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Great Britain, and Costa Rica.

He is a retired Air Force chaplain. He served as the third president of Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City. Presently, he serves as the Director, Chaplains Ministries, IPHC; Vice Chairman, the National Association of Evangelicals Commission on Chaplains; and Chair Elect, Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy.

The National Kiwanis Club selected Hugh as one of the Most Outstanding Young Men in America in 1968. Emmanuel College selected him as one of their "Most Outstanding Alumni" in 1975, and the “Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004.” He was awarded the “Corvin Heritage Award” by Southwestern Christian University in 2005.

He served as president of the Ministers' Association of Greater Birmingham, Alabama, in 1979-1980.

Hugh is, also, a Christian journalist. He is the founder, CEO, and president of Hugh’s News an electronic newsletter, as well as a website that produces the news for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and the body of Christ worldwide. It is a free service to all who desire to subscribe. Hugh’s News will celebrate 10 years of serving the church in January 2008. There are some 5,000 readers.

He and his wife, Melvine Stewart Morgan, have been happily married for 47 years, and have two adult children, Greg and Stephanie, who are also educators. Melvine is a retired school teacher. They all reside in Winder, Georgia.

Who administers the Endowment? Who selects the recipients for scholarships?

a. Who administers the Endowment? The Principal shall be invested and reinvested by the University Board of Regents through its Investment Committee of the Business/Finance Committee, or such other committee as may be established from time to time by the Board of Regents for investment/business/finance decisions.

The Board of Regents of the University shall require any committee member or other personnel having custody and control of the Endowment to maintain fidelity bonds in penal sums deemed sufficient by the Board of Regents to secure the whole or any amount that may come into such officers or agents hands, provided, that a blanket bond covering such personnel is sufficient in sufficient penal amount to include such sums, shall be deemed compliance with the provision.

The income earned by the Principal may be used solely for scholarships to qualifying applicants enrolled in the University’s Chaplaincy Program

b. Who selects the recipients for scholarships? The University’s standing Scholarship Committee, or any subsequent such committee may determine the recipients for scholarship by conducting an application process to be developed by said committee in consultation with Dr. Hugh Morgan.

On completion of all required education, who will be their ecclesiastical endorser for the military?

The General Executive Board and the General Board of Administration of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church make the decision, upon recommendation of the chairman of the Chaplains Ministries Board, IPHC, who will be the ecclesiastical endorser.

The General Conference has determined that the endorser or Director, Chaplains Ministries, IPHC will be a retired military chaplain. Other denominations have their own rules governing this decision making process.

What is the goal for the establishing of this endowed scholarship program?

The goal is to establish an endowment large enough to allow the University to grant scholarships each year to pay for the tuition costs for each chaplain candidate according to his/her need.

Only the interest earned on the principle investment will be used in awarding scholarships.

Our immediate goal is to raise $1 Million Dollars.

We need your help in achieving this worthwhile goal.

How you can give to this Endowed Scholarship Fund?

There are at least four ways, maybe more that you can utilize in your giving.

When you consider that you are not only investing in a chaplain candidate preparing for ministry in the military, but you are blessing future generations who will be transformed by the Gospel. The Scripture verse that God gave me for this project and ministry is recorded in Hebrews 11:20, "By an act of believing faith, Isaac, the promised son of Abraham the father of nations, reached into future generations when he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau."

Your contribution will go on and on, and will be multiplied many times over to blessed future generations to come.

What's more . . . you will have a vital part in the ongoing ministry of a chaplain who will touch countless lives of America's finest youth. God can only multiply what we give. And God wants to bless you. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38, NIV).

Here are four ways of giving:

500 Club -- $1,000 Five hundred men saw Jesus at one time after the resurrection (1 Cor.15:6)

300 Club -- $500 Three hundred men were selected for Gideon's army (Judges 7:7)

200 Club -- $100 A commander ordered 200 soldiers to protect Paul (Acts 23:23)

1,000 Club -- $50 The disciples set the 5,000 men down in groups of 50 (Luke 9:14)

(Note: Melvine and I have given $1,000, and will be giving more as God provides the means. Leadership always gives first.)

For those who choose either the 500 Club or 300 Club, you will have a year to pay your faith promise should you need that time frame.

But wait . . . there is a fifth way to give. Why not consider including 10% of your will to be given to SCU for the Endowed Scholarship Fund for chaplain candidates? Your money will continue to be multiplied long after your death. No gift is too large or too small. Every contribution is valuable and God will bless it. Contributions to this scholarship fund may be sent to:

Will you receive the Benediction?

John 12:7-8 7

But Jesus said,"Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." NKJV

Your friend in all seasons,

Hugh Holmes Morgan

The Reverend Dr. Hugh H. Morgan
Director of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC
Vice Chairman, NAE Commission on Chaplains
Chair Elect, Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy
CEO, Founder, President, Editor of Hugh's News & Commentary

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