It was Career Day at Auburn Elementary in Auburn, GA, on Friday, March 4, 2011, when I was invited by Mrs. Laci Williams, Teacher of the Year at this elementary school, to speak about the military chaplaincy to some 80 students who are 3rd graders.
I spoke to half of them in one 30 minute session, and the other half in the next. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well-mannered they were, orderly, so respectful, and ready to ask good questions about what chaplains do, how they choose this career field, etc.
Of course, I was able to tell them that our IPHC chaplains are called of God to do this kind of minstry. It is no different than a civilian pastor, except a chaplain is a commissioned officer, wears a military uniform with a cross on his uniform. Chaplains conduct worship services, pray in the Name of Jesus, offer pastoral counseling, conduct Bible studies, promote Sunday school attendance, and visit soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors, and guardsmen wherever they go, even to the battle front in war. In addition, they provide for the free exercise of religion for all men and women in the armed forces of our nation. They offer pastoral care to the wounded, hope for the injured, marry the living, and bury the dead. They offer the elements of communion or the Lord's supper, and baptize believers in water.
I showed a DVD that we produced about our IPHC military chaplains. The students loved it, and were amazed when they saw me in the DVD speaking.
Here is what the School Counselor, Allie Daniel had to say about my visit:
"Dear Dr. Morgan,
"I just want you to know how much Auburn Elementary appreciated you coming to speak with our students on career day. Many of our third graders have expressed a new-found interest in the military over the past week. You really gave our children a new outlook on their futures. We hope you will consider returning next year.
"Thanks for everything!
"Allie Daniel, Counselor"
[Editor's Note: Laci Williams is the wife of our pastor, J. Brian Williams. She is pregnant with their four son. She may be delivering this third son very soon. Laci is one of those brilliant teachers. She made all A's in graduate school for her master's degree and specialist degree. I admire people like Laci. If you live in the Athens, GA, area, and are looking for a good church, let me recommend Christian Life Worship Center, at 125 Kathwood Drive, Athens, GA. All of the teachers at Auburn Elementary who teach 3rd grade are Christians. What a wonderful miracle and how blessed are these precious children. Let us remember all of our school teachers in prayer.]
Posted on
Mon, March 14, 2011
by Hugh Morgan