Our pastor, Terry Kesling, asked us on Sunday if we knew of any military person who gave his or her life for our country to stand. People stood up all across our congregation. We had a moment of silent prayer and he led us in a corporate prayer.
I immediately thought of our only military chaplain, Chaplain, Colonel, Eugene Myers, who was killed in a military transport plane over Manila, Philippines in April 1964. He was on active duty and was ministering to everyone on the aircraft. Some 57 souls went to meet their Maker, Almighty God, that day. I hope all of them were Christians.
Shortly after the news broke about the tragic death of Chaplain Myers, Bishop J. A. Synan called me. He told me about the loss of Chaplain Myers, and asked me if I would consider resigning my Army commission as an Army Reserve officer and chaplain for our church, and go in the Air Force.
Although God had called me to be a military chaplain, I was hoping that one day I would go on active duty as an Army chaplain. Bishop Synan informed me that as far as he knew at that time there was no other person who was called to be a chaplain and had met all the educational and pastoral leadership experience to meet the qualifications for service in the Air Force.
Melvine and I prayed and fasted about it, and felt that God was now directing me to go into the Air Force. I was enjoying my role as pastor of a small rural church in Alabama, the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church. The church was filled Sunday morning and evening, and much less on Wednesday night. We had lots of youth and young families. We loved the people and they loved us. The mayor of Evergreen near by and his family were attending our church and were wanting to become members.
So, that is how that happened. I am glad I obeyed God.
I knew airmen who attended my worship services at McChord AFB. and Elmendorf AFB, who paid the supreme sacrifice. I shall never forget these American heroes and Patriots. I think of their families, wives, and children, parents and other family members who grieve the loss of their cherished loved one. This is what Memorial Day is all about.
I immediately thought of our only military chaplain, Chaplain, Colonel, Eugene Myers, who was killed in a military transport plane over Manila, Philippines in April 1964. He was on active duty and was ministering to everyone on the aircraft. Some 57 souls went to meet their Maker, Almighty God, that day. I hope all of them were Christians.
Shortly after the news broke about the tragic death of Chaplain Myers, Bishop J. A. Synan called me. He told me about the loss of Chaplain Myers, and asked me if I would consider resigning my Army commission as an Army Reserve officer and chaplain for our church, and go in the Air Force.
Although God had called me to be a military chaplain, I was hoping that one day I would go on active duty as an Army chaplain. Bishop Synan informed me that as far as he knew at that time there was no other person who was called to be a chaplain and had met all the educational and pastoral leadership experience to meet the qualifications for service in the Air Force.
Melvine and I prayed and fasted about it, and felt that God was now directing me to go into the Air Force. I was enjoying my role as pastor of a small rural church in Alabama, the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church. The church was filled Sunday morning and evening, and much less on Wednesday night. We had lots of youth and young families. We loved the people and they loved us. The mayor of Evergreen near by and his family were attending our church and were wanting to become members.
So, that is how that happened. I am glad I obeyed God.
I knew airmen who attended my worship services at McChord AFB. and Elmendorf AFB, who paid the supreme sacrifice. I shall never forget these American heroes and Patriots. I think of their families, wives, and children, parents and other family members who grieve the loss of their cherished loved one. This is what Memorial Day is all about.